Time to get APPy friends! Today I am sharing a technology tool that is not quite an app. However, you can press the sharrow and add to home screen to create an app for it.
The tool of choice is called, PADLET. Think of an online bulletin board. Instead of students posting sticky notes on a wall, they can post on a virtual wall.
At this time, my students are writing expository pieces. I wanted to make sure the kids truly understood what an expository piece was. The class was asked to post what they wanted their topic to be, and after the OK from me, they could begin. This was great for the kids that didn’t understand because it allowed me to provide a refresher for them.
This Padlet asked a STAAR-based question from a former STAAR passage. Kids input their responses as if it were an open-ended question. We then analyzed our answers with the answer choices provided.
Teaching grammar? Grammar lessons can tie in very nicely with a Padlet.
You could integrate this into a KWL chart for not just grammar, but famous people in social studies, science concepts, and much more.
We recently ended out geometry unit, and this is an example from a Padlet the class completed.
I had various QR codes around the room that scanned to different shapes (plane and solid).
Kids searched on KidRex to find images that were real life examples of shapes.
Clicking the wheel at the bottom takes you to the settings.
From here, you can add your title, pose a question, and change the icons and wallpaper.
There is also an option to change the layout. Free-form means the kids can drag their response anywhere on the page. If you would like it more structured, you can change that as well.
What makes Padlet so easy, is that is it easily shareable! Click the rectangle with an arrow to open up the various ways to push the information out. If it is just one Padlet that we are completing, I like to save time by CHIRPING out or airdropping the link.
If you plan on using this as a center, I recommend using the already generated QR code and placing it on a piece of paper (or on your document camera). Kids can create at their own pace.
That’s it my friends! I hope you are enjoying the #technologytidbits that I have been sharing with you.
If you use Padlet, how have you found it to work in your classroom?
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Julie Smith
March 3, 2015 at 12:02 amGreat use of Padlet, Amber! I love the rectangular prism wall…so cute!
Julie
The Techie Teacher
Sandy Cangelosi
March 3, 2015 at 12:50 amHi Amber, I love how you used Padlet! Thank you so much for sharing the App and your ideas for using it.
Erin Flanagan
March 3, 2015 at 1:17 amVery cool. I didn't realize Padlet had a QR generator. Here I had been making my QRs of padlets the old fashioned way. This is such a great tip. Thanks!
Nancy Alvarez
March 3, 2015 at 3:17 amGreat idea for increasing participation and the sharing of ideas.
Jo Gillespie
June 11, 2016 at 7:43 pmThis may be a silly question, but do all your students have access to tablets or iPads in class? Do they BYOT?
Thanks.
Amber Calderon
June 14, 2016 at 11:32 pmNot a silly question at all! I am very lucky to work at a district where the district funds iPads for every student.
CRYSTAL
June 11, 2016 at 10:49 pmVery creative uses for this app! I’m curious how you shared the page with students. I’m trying to set up a page for my grade 2s and I want to make it as easy as possible. Having them all enter a URL would be a nightmare. I see that you can print off a QR code though, is that the best way to do it?
Amber Calderon
June 14, 2016 at 11:30 pmHey, Crystal! I will show the QR code from my computer to the TV and have the kids scan. The easiest for me is to copy the URL and place it in the app EDMODO for the kids to click it! Works great! Check into Edmodo if you can! 🙂