Padlet

This week we explore aother collaborative tool with a misleading name for its larger-than-life potential. I mean, if a hamlet is a tiny village and a piglet is small, naturally a 'padlet' must be tiny. Well, it's not!  

What is it then?

It's a free web application featuring a virtual multi-media wall capable of supporting links, videos, pictures and document files. Basically, it is an on-line noticeboard where learners add virtual sticky notes thereby pooling and storing valuable ideas. Its versatility lies in that it enables face to face and online collaboration, or both. It is compatible with multiple devices: PCs, laptops, tablets and smart phones.

Access

Because it is web based, users need internet access. Its beauty is that students don't need to sign up,  and download a special application, or software to use Padlet. However, teachers intending to use it with their classes need to register, which allows them to create as many walls as they need. Signing up allows teachers to customize settings: privacy, access by users, moderation of posts etc. and monitor activities on their walls.

How does it work?

Padlet is very user friendly. I recommend this really short video for an easy-to-follow summary:

As you have noticed, Padlet is not rocket science! Anyone can use it without  hassles.

Using Padlet In ELT

Padlet has unlimited potential in ELT; what you can do with it entirely depends on your creativity. The video you watched presented a basic sentence construction exercise using a word. Wasn't it great?

What else can you do? Plenty. I find Padlet handy with brainstorming exercises leading to debates and discursive writing. Learners can post ideas on a topic, say the use of games in English Language lessons! You can post pictures and videos as prompts for short descriptions or narrations. In Literature, the possibilities are mind-boggling. I have used Padlet in poetry analysis and writing. I have a really cute haiku bank. As groups, or individuals, learners can analyse particular stanzas and post their ideas on the virtual wall. Thier colleagues can comment on them and make suggestions for improvement.You can flip your classes: a whole poem can be dissected on the wall before class. Learners can discuss critical analysis questions on a Padlet wall and brainstorm assignments. These walls are permanent piggy banks that they can visit for ideas at later stages. Even though I have not done it, I think you can experiment with a web quest through Padlet! Padlet is malleable and ductile- you can stretch and shape it to fit your own context. Be a 'techsmith' and oversee the co-construction of knowledge in your classes!

Padlet and learning

Scaffolding and co-construction of knowledge

Remember Vygotsky (1978) and socio-cultural theories of learning? I don't blame you if you don't. I didn't like theories either! Anyways, Padlet allows lots of collaboration among learners who can correct and scaffold each other while they co-construct knowledge. You, as the teacher, can follow their activities and scaffold them as well since you can moderate all posts. What more, Padlet is a stethoscope to diagnose learners' understanding of concepts for necessary adjustments. Through reflexive activities, learners' perceptions, knowledge and attitudes are exposed. But don't be a quack, you are a teacher! Remember, Padlet is a great socializing tool especially with new classes. It can effectively draw-out shy and withdrawn learners who can enjoy the privacy of anonymous posting if you sanction it, of course. With Padlet they can emerge from their cocoons, open their colourful wings and fly away. Posting on a class wall motivates learners  to produce more output of high quality as they are conscious of the public nature of their posts.

But...

While Padlet is free, easy to use and monitor, it still has spots that you must be aware of. Because on Padlet learners access public galleries with uncensored content, make sure you get parental consent. Peer comments and ratings will need vigilant moderation by the teacher. Even though you have to moderate all posts, you have no live control over content. Posts are not timed so it's difficult to track posts. While posts can be anonymous, Padlet is not great for posting confidential information. Its dependence on net connectivity can be frustrating in some contexts, always have a plan B.

Don't be mournful now, look at the bright side! Help learners paddle up the linguistic and cognitive stream!

Till next week, be creative. Send in your feedback. We always want to know how you fare with these tools.