Padlet as collaborative learning tool

K-12 Teaching in the 21st Century

Create:  Collaboration (module 3)

Pinch me...I'm MOOCing

I've been hearing so much about this Padlet technology over the past couple of weeks, I just had to try it out.  It is an interesting idea.  A person can create a wall and allow others to post text, images and video on the wall, pertaining to a particular topic.  It is similar in nature to Pinterest, except Padlet allows others to post on the wall, fostering collaboration.

I've developed an assignment in which students can come to the wall to deposit an image, and small bits of information, regarding the habitat of Yellowstone National Park.  Each student will post one item and the class will decide which animals and plants will be the focus of the study in the Yellowstone National Park unit.  They can view the contributions of others, contribute their own information and then use that information to accomplish a goal.  I've embedded my Padlet for use in the Yellowstone National Park assignment below, if you'd like to take a look.  If you choose, feel free check out my Padlet full screen.

I can see how this technology can be used for a multitude of purposes in collaboration.  One member of  the MOOC community, Michelle Byers, created a Padlet wall so that other teachers could post their favorite collaboration tools on it.  Collaboration on collaboration...I love this idea!  I think it might also be used as an "Introduction Wall", in which students could take a photo of themselves with their webcam and write a few sentences about themselves as a way of getting to know each other.  This may be particularly nice for an online class.

I'd love to hear other ideas for using this technology.  The possibilities are not only endless, they are great fun!

Created with Padlet