Can Padlet get any better?

Padlet.com (previously called Wallwisher) has been around for years but it just keeps getting better and better! It is basically a free, online bulletin board that creates beautiful displays of any digital resource such as images, videos, documents, websites, presentations, and spreadsheets to name a few. Last week (see image below) new functionalities were released and now a user can also voice/ video record.

Padlet is a powerful tool that can promote:

collaboration as anyone can access a wall as long as they have the URL which is created by the teacher. Students can freely add to the wall by commenting or adding a resource by double clicking anywhere on the wall.
communication and sharing of ideas through brain storming activities by using the Canvas option which allows you to link (with arrows) ideas that are connected
critical thinking and problem solving as students can contribute to prompts posed by the teacher
creativity as students can create their own Padlet walls to share their understandings and ideas

Top ten ways to use Padlet in the mathematics classroom or in fact any classroom!

Use a prompt such as the visible thinking routine: I used to think… Now I think… and ask students to add their posts as exit tickets. Entrance tickets can also be used.
Students create their own digital portfolio which includes photos and files they would like to showcase.
Ask students to add voice or video self-reflections on a particular unit to promote metacognitive thinking in terms of self and peer feedback.
Teachers can use this as a resource wall sharing digital tools for a particular math topic. Students can also be asked to contribute resources they find.
Use a wall as a flipped classroom approach with videos and questions that are connected in a logical sequence for students to use outside the classroom.
Use a wall as a parking lot for questions from students and invite other students to answer.
Create a wall after a topic for students to co-create a summary of the topic which includes the main ideas and concepts.
Collaboratively complete a Frayer model. The Frayer model (Frayer, 1968) typically has four quadrants with word/words in the center. The four quadrants have the prompts: definition, characteristics/ attributes, examples and non-examples.
Use a padlet wall as a WebQuest with instructions and digital tools uploaded.
Use the Concept Attainment activity by posting pictures of examples and non-examples of important ideas/ concepts you would like your students to understand.

How do I create a Padlet wall?

Firstly, you need to create a free account.

To create your first Padlet wall you can either start with a blank or a template. The blank walls have the following options:

Wall PREVIEW which allows you to add content in a brick-like layout.
Canvas PREVIEW enables brainstorming and you can scatter, group, and connect content in any way.
Stream PREVIEW allows content to be streamlined in an easy to read, top-to-bottom feed.
Grid PREVIEW allows for arrangement of content in rows of boxes.
Shelf PREVIEW allows you to stack content in a series of columns.