What is Padlet?
Padlet is an online board where participants can share texts, pictures and videos about a certain topic under discussion. Therefore, it can be used for various topics which require brainstorming or sharing ideas. However, since my purpose in this blog is to explore how different online platforms can contribute to improving language classes, I will be discussing how language teachers can effectively use Padlet in their classes.
To start with, you can watch the following video which broadly illustrates Padlets and offers some general ways to use it:
To start with, you can watch the following video which broadly illustrates Padlets and offers some general ways to use it:
Padlet and Writing classes
In modern writing classes, especially those which follow the process approach, the teacher plays a paramount role in supporting the students and scaffolding them throughout the writing process. Unlike traditional methods which focus on the product only without giving any attention to the various steps that students have to follow in order to produce a good piece of writing, the teacher in the process approach guides and scaffolds the students throughout the process. One essential stage of the writing process is brainstorming where students, usually scaffolded by the teacher, share ideas which may function as the skeleton for their paragraphs and essays.
Using Padlet for brainstorming ideas in a pre-writing activity has many advantages. Firstly, all the students will have an equal opportunity for sharing their ideas. When brainstorming is done traditionally with the teacher receiving ideas from the students and writing them on the board, some introvert and less confident students may feel embarrassed to share their ideas to the entire class, while when done anonymously, all the students get an equal opportunity to have their voice heard. Secondly, Padlet offers students the chance to comment on each other's ideas in a visually clear manner. As a result, students will have the chance to be cognitively engaged in evaluating each other's ideas and supporting or refuting each other's arguments. Finally, discussions which take place at Padlet remain saved at the class' account, which helps the students to review the lesson, do the writing as homework and even use the online discussion later when preparing for the exam.
Consequently, Padlet can contribute to enhancing learners' collaboration and creativity. Students' dependence on the teacher automatically and gradually decreases, for they no longer entirely need his/her assistance in planning for their writing. Alternatively, students' interdependence (students depending on each other) will increase since they will help each other in generating ideas, which gradually results in the students being independently able to generate ideas for their writing.
An example which demonstrates how a topic can be addressed on
Padlet and how other users can comment on someone's contribution
Suitability for the Palestinian Context
I have been informed by Mr. Tawfiq Khwaireh, a friend of mine who works as an English teacher at Kufur Qallil Primary school, that both governmental and private schools in Palestine have at least one computer lab that English teachers can arrange to use whenever they need to. As a result, using a tool such as Padlet is not going to be a challenge for Palestinian teachers or students, for the teacher can arrange to book the lab for their classes and use the computers to enjoy the activities that Padlet offers.
Any drawbacks?
Nevertheless, the fact that the discussions are saved and remain accessible for students can be a double-edged sword. This is not a real drawback of Padlet, but this means that the teacher will have the responsibility of checking the information that the students share to make sure it is accurate and can be used as a resource in the future. Moreover, Padlet might not be really handy in large classes, for if all the students are expected to share one idea at least, having more than 40 answers for one question can be quite confusing, and more outstanding ideas might not be observed. Therefore, teachers can overcome this problem through randomly selecting the desired number of students to participate in the task while the rest of the class can discuss the question in groups without having to share their ideas with students outside the group.
In short, Padlet is a great tool through which teachers give their students the opportunity to work on their planning more independently. However, it is necessary that teachers make the right decisions concerning the points highlighted above in order to maximise learning in the language classroom.
the video is good and the picture is interesting. i agree with you that the padlet is not suitable for the larger classes because it is difficult for the teachers to control.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe, you have shared a detailed and clear description of Padlet which I think can greatly benefit ELT practitioners. Padlet is an amazing interactive tool - it can instantly engage students, both intermediate and advanced level learners in the writing process. Large class issue is a hindrance in my context, however I think, mindful teachers can still think of using Padlet in different ways.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good way to use it as it allows all students to participate and give new ideas. It is true that there are students who do not have the strength to participate with the rest of the students but it is an excellent and effective way to improve students'- mariam salim
ReplyDeletethe video is good . but the padlet is not suitable for the larger classes because it is difficult for the teachers to control
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that it is difficult to control the class, it motivates the students to work independently. It will definitely pay off in the future since they will need to work alone. And for students who can’t talk in front of the whole class, it’s encouraging to let them speak up their mind with no fear.
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ReplyDeleteYour tutorial is so easy to understand step by step ,very clear ,and I'm so excited about learning about Google class room and this tutorial can help teachers save time and improve learning for our students
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ReplyDeleteIs a good and beautiful way but needs further development
This tool seems to be interesting and easy to use. Though,the large number class is not a big deal.The teacher can create a way to be fair with all the students,like : he can give each student a few minutes to express his idea.With a little development to this program, it is going to be fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good tool because , all students will have an equal opportunity for sharing their ideas, and Pad-let offers students the chance to comment on each other's ideas in a visually clear manner. As a result, students will have the chance to be cognitively engaged in evaluating each other's ideas and supporting or refuting each other's arguments.
ReplyDeleteThis is cool .Students will like the usage of this app in classrooms because it makes the atmospher more joyful.I really like the fact that students can share their opinions without feelling embarrassed because no one could know who they are. It will enhance their writings by sharing more ideas provided by the students themselves(independent students).Moreover this app can be used for joy and fun since we can post whatever we want.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good app because it gives all the student the same equals opportunity for sharing their idea. It encourege the students to share their opinions and ideas without feeling embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteThis applecation should be used in all schools because it helps the students to say what they want and feel free to share their opinion.It makes a fun and joyfull atmosphere by listing to the opinions and comment in it.
the padlet is not suitable for the larger classes because it is difficult for the teachers to control and maintain the management in class . But it still fine because this technicque will be used in small classes and it will be effective.
ReplyDeletei think that Padlet is a great tool for tracking class updates. allows students to share notes with others in the form of links, images, videos and different documents . Also , this app is easy to use and
ReplyDeletewe will enjoy if we use it .
I agree that Padlet is not easy for the larger classes because its difficult fot the teacher to control but it has many benefits for students such as sharing ideas without feelling embarrassed and making a comfortable atmosphere inside the class .(اية فلاحة)
ReplyDeleteThe fact that it allows students to comment on each other's ideas and topics is really great that way they give each other feed back about what they wrote and all these students have a lot of ideas so they benefit each other in so many different fields and it makes them communicate with each other mare and it makes the process more genuine.
ReplyDeleteBy Eman Zuhd
Padlet is such a good tool to be used in our schools. It provides the opportunity for all students from both intermediate and advanced levels to interact and share their ideas freely. It also helps teachers evaluate their student's in a better way. We all know that there are those students who feel embarrassed or shy from interacting infront of their mates in class. This tool sounds great for those kind of students!
ReplyDeleteAnother good thing that I liked about it that it is like a personal blog that every student could get his/her own account and add a background and what so ever which is something interesting.
But it is obviously more suitable for small classes. I wouldn't recommend it for a large class, it'll get the teacher confused and out of control.
-Lena Ismail
It is true that this method of brainstorming can give the chance to students to participate equally in the class and depend on themselves in learning a language, but it still doesn't motivate lazy or weak students to participate in writing classes, especially if this kind of students don't really care about the assignments or participation marks.
ReplyDeleteI think that Padlet is a good app. it allows all students to sharing ideas and having fun. especially this app use brainstorming which is the best way to improve writing that focus students' attention on a particular topic and encourage learners to take risks in sharing their opinions
ReplyDeleteThis is good tool because all students will have an equal opportunity for sharing their ideas and opinions freely, without feeling embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, using Padlet is a fantastic teaching too,and there are many useful ways to use it. For example, asking for suggestions or ideas, collecting videos to share in class and predicting activity.
ReplyDeleteWell, the use of this tool in a school or a university or what ever, would lead the students to comment, share information about various topics and even will develop their writing skills a lot!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because it sounds really helpful in writing. Since it allows students to know different perspictives about the topic they are going to write about. This will light imagination and ideas in their minds.
ReplyDeleteStudents will have the opportunity to engage in knowledge in evaluating each other's ideas and supporting or refuting each other's arguments
ReplyDeleteاريج سليمات قواريق
I think this application is helpful and give the students opportunaity to share their ideas and to became more thinking and competition with their friend . However, it is not a good application for larger class because thier many ideas and this make the teacher confused and can not control to the class , but it's interesting for the small class and make them more confident in the future
ReplyDeleteThis app can help the students in many ways.First of all, it attract the attention of the students. So, they will participate without hesitancy.secondly, it encourage them to work together and then the relationship between them will be more stonger.Finally it very helpful for students who feel embarrassed or shy.
ReplyDeletethe padlet app is good idea for some lesson such as orall communication it usefull for all type of student to improve their language work on it to get self confidence padlet give the opportunity for every student to try (chance)tO give his thought answer but unfortunately as you mention its hard to to use it in our schools
ReplyDeleteبراءة غزاوي
Yes, writing is important in education and frankly I suffer from weakness in writing because the student is not founded from a small writing thus, using this keyboard will develop the writing skill of the student and will increase their interaction and development
ReplyDeletePadlet is a very good tool for sharing ideas and for learning new ones. It leads to creativity and gives the students more confidence in the long-term to express their own opinions. However, it needs extreme supervision because some student may use this app in unethical ways or add unrelated comments. I also agree that this application can only be used in small classes because it takes time for the teacher to review what all the students wrote and make sure that there are no mistakes.
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