Padlet is an online resource that offers a variety of ways for students to collaborate and communicate through technology. This resource creates a wall where students can post, link sites/images/information, and respond to each other in a social media format by liking and commenting. Through this platform, students are able to create a space where they can post and access their information anytime.

Rationale

With the 5 C's being an integral part of the learning process and curriculum for all of our students, exploring new and innovative ways to help them communicate and collaborate with each other is necessary. This activity allows students to collaborate by giving them a platform to post information, thoughts, ideas, links, and images. It allows students to communicate the same way social media does (posting, liking, responding, and messaging), which is familiar to them, and peaks their interest in the activity. 

The teacher creates a "Padlet," which is essentially a wall that students access through a shared and private link. Anyone given access to the link, Padlet code, or QR code can access the Padlet and post on it until it is removed. One aspect that truly benefits the teacher is the ability to control the privacy and communication settings, which can help keep students focused and on task during the activity.

Sample Activity

One way that I've used this activity in the classroom is by creating a wall that gives students a place to discuss and compare character traits. After reading the short story Lamb to the Slaughter, by Roald Dahl, we discuss character traits as a class. We focus on the difference between indirect and direct characterization, and how the author's word choice builds the characters in the story.

After the initial reading, I choose four songs with female characters that have been wronged by someone (much like Mary in Lamb to the Slaughter), and we listen to one of the songs as a class. We discuss what happens to the woman, and how the artist both directly and indirectly characterizes the woman. I demonstrate how to use Padlet by creating posts about the song, the characters, and the word choice. I give students the other three songs, and allow them to post as they listen to the songs and make connections or develop ideas. The songs I chose for this activity are:

• Goodbye Earl (The Dixie Chicks)
• Two Black Cadillacs (Carrie Underwood)
• Irreplacable (Beyonce)
• The Thunder Rolls (Garth Brooks)

I suggest students post character traits with text evidence, links between the songs and the story, links between songs, similarities and differences between characters, similarities and differences between the author's word choice. I have students remain anonymous in their posts, as this encourages many of the students who would not be as likely to participate.

To create a Padlet or learn more, visit the Padlet website here: Padlet