Padding up your lessons- with Padlet!

Oh hello you- I hope you enjoyed my Moira compilation last week and welcome to this weeks blog.

Today I'm taking a look at Padlet. An online tool which can be used in class (pending T'internet access) and set as a (short) homework. 

So what is it? In essence, it's effectively a noticeboard. You can post a topic/subject (a padlet) which your learners can then respond to. You will need to sign up for an account - you can do this using your google, Microsoft or Apple email address:

Now it's important to note there is both a free and paid version of Padlet- The free version only allows you to post up to 3 Padlets- (you can delete and post new ones consistently of course) or you can pay $8 a month to be able to post unlimited Padlets- this is of course worth doing if you intend to make Padlets a regular part of your teaching. But should you? Let's  take  the Padlet adventure together and find out!

Being a very poor student, I was unable to get the old moth collector out, so I have signed up for the free version for a trial. Below is my 'Dashboard' or homescreen:

You will note how easy it is to create a Padlet- just hit the Pink 'Make a Padlet button' 

Next you can choose how to organise your Padlet:

Once you have selected a theme- you can modify and create your Padlet.

I have created a trial Padlet here: Nik's Padlet

I hope you will take a look and add your own reply :)

So we need to give this baby a score!

Organisation and Layout

Of all the tools I have looked at so far, this is probably the easiest to use- the lay out is great. Organisation is fine- when you first select a theme however, it's not immediately clear where you go to modify the Padlet/give it a title.    4 Nik-Knacks

Content and Features

The features are okay- this is a straightforward tool, so it's not bursting with surprise features. But the padlets themselves are adaptable- you can add gifs/images etc.  The content is also perfectly acceptable (the subject is your choice sooo..) Also there is the option to 'view the gallery' please see image below:

These are examples from the Padlet team and community. Which can both be used and adapted. 5 Nik-knacks

Ease of Use and Navigation

Despite my initial scepticism when not seeing where to modify the title immediately- It's sooo easy to use. Navigation is oh so simple and can't really fault the tool here. 5 Nik-knacks

Target Audience

It's designed for teachers to utilise and I really can't see how any teacher could NOT find this useful- so it's really knocked it out the park here. 5 Nik-knacks

Summary

I asked at the start if it was worth paying for. For me, it's an emphatic yes. This tool is so useful, I will 'for sure' be upgrading to the paid account (once I'm a 'well paid' teacher of course, so perhaps in 2050 if I'm lucky)

If you are interested in using Padlet- I strongly suggest taking a look at our old Friend Russell's Video below:

So to once again confirm- I love it. The only drawbacks I can see are 1) you have to pay for the upgraded version and 2)  It does require internet access, which again is not always a given.

However these two drawbacks are minor complaints and for the second week in a row, we have a easy 5 Nik-knacks tool!!

I hope you have enjoyed this weeks blog about Padlet. 

Last week I shared with you Moira and her most comedic moments. however this is an English Language blog after all, so this week- let's learn some English from Moira's 'eccentric vocabulary' 

Watch the video below- and let me know how many of the words you already knew in the comments :D