JC's Blogpost for Week #5 - Padlet for Authentic Teaching & Learning

​So the tool I looked at was Padlet.  I really love that it affords students the opportunity to respond to a question or prompt confidentially. This will be useful when I’m asking about dramatic structure in a film etc.  Being able to answer confidentially could reduce stress levels experienced by some students when they are expected to participate in class discussions.  Even teach in a drama classroom, I still have students who do not wish to participate in class discussions; they don’t want to be wrong.  I also love that students can respond with an image or a gif.  That frees them to unleash their creativity but also to stay confidential.  You can also ask students to put their initials or id# for assessment tracking as needed.  Padlet is super easy to use, super easy to customize; I work a lot with imagery as well!  In terms of using Padlet in an authentic learning scenario, I think for one thing that multiple users from multiple groups can share results and/or seek feedback from peer students in a way that benefits all students since all students could have access to a Padlet.  In this current distance situation though, I might use it per group so that collaborators can share insights/feedback/ideas/problems real time, but also in a lasting way.  It would allow me as the facilitator to monitor what’s being posted to have an idea how students are progressing through the learning experience.  For example groups could share status or respond to a prompt incrementally throughout the life of the authentic learning activity.  The Padlets could be saved and reviewed again by students at a later date, when a new Padlet could be made to document, reflect upon and ultimately, share their learning!  What Padlet can bring to my practice that is different from I’d otherwise do is the opportunity give feedback in a way that it can benefit more than just themselves.  Normally I’d seek feedback through some sort of written assignment or worksheet or reflective document, but that would typically be only useful for them and myself.  Other students wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of their peer learners.  Again, their ability to make entries with pictures/videos/GIF’s enriches the experience all the more.  Imagery is a very powerful part of 21st Century learners and learning, so Padlet really allows them to be who they are anyway!