'Padlet': an Online Tool
Padlet is like an online 'wall' or 'board' which allows students to carry out tasks for lessons and/or create their own individual ideas. It can be especially useful when doing entrepreneurial group work where students are collaborating and sharing their ideas as the board can be saved. A description of Padlet's many uses and benefits, based on the experiences of an English secondary school - Padlet can be used anywhere for anything!
Purpose and process
This useful tool allows students to be creative in any subject lesson. Its main aim is to enable students to work on national curriculum key criteria but to create their own ideas in doing so. The key focus should be that students are building on the knowledge they have been provided with - but in a creative way. As this tool is interactive and allows the students to see their knowledge developing in a visual manner it is a very good method for encouraging innovation in the classroom.
Padlet can be used in many entrepreneurial learning contexts, for example: 'Student Voice', in which a group of students aimed to develop new and innovative ideas for improving their school - the group used the tool to create and display their ideas and then to allow other students to contribute feedback and further ideas; Young Enterprise groups have worked together to develop their ideas on Padlet; it has also been used to develop creative thinking associated with the Tenner Programme.
Learning outcomes
Students can:
- generate new ideas by using Padlet alongside the 'back-up' of the internet for researching their ideas further
- build on existing ideas in a visual way so that they see how their ideas can come together
- become independent thinkers/enquirers and develop even more entrepreneurial skills; as a result, they will be better equipped to assess the theories they have been taught in the classroom by applying them in wider contexts - through which they may achieve even greater success in their exams.
Curricular or thematic relevance
The English national curriculum states that 'creativity' is an essential part of any student's education and that schools should help engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement. Using Padlet in delivering entrepreneurship education provides a basis for students to solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values, and can give them experience of using their imaginations to relate what they have been given to real life situations. Can be used in any subject, but particularly in Computing, Economics, Art, Design & Technology.
How to organise:
This tool can be used in any computer classroom or any room where Tablets can be used. It is excellent during timetabled lessons, e.g. when students have been set tasks for which they need to research ideas and interpret data, as it removes the need to type up many pages of notes. It can also be used outside scheduled classes, including in students' own time and at home as materials can be saved fro accessing at a later date.
Assessment and evaluation approaches
A useful way to assess students' use of this tool is through a peer assessment sheet where they can assess each other's work on the Padlet wall. It is also a good way to analyse and evaluate methods and theories the students have learnt in the classroom and then applied in a creative way using the tool.
Volunteer involvement
No business volunteers are required but business partners and entrepreneurs would be useful to inspire students and to review their efforts online.
Provider country
United Kingdom
helper do TM detail body (June 6th, 1st half)