An extraordinary tool to share ideas: Padlet

“Why do we still need to look for paper and pens to record things even when facing the computer?” This is the question of Nitesh Goel, thus Padlet is developed to solve this problem. It can create a virtual, interactive Web2.0 plug-in wall tool, the Chinese name is "online paper." You can drag any sticky note, while in the sticky note you can put the text information, upload local files, add images, videos, documents, etc. they can also be automatically saved. In today’s language learning, students are surrounded with a large amount of language materials, thus they need a place to discuss and exchange the ideas in or after class. Padlet is a good choice.

Like what it says in the advertisement: “Padlet is the easiest way to create and collaborate in the world.” It has very strong collaboration ability because it is multi-platform! no matter which system you have: PCs, Mac or smartphones, it is free to switch and easy to operate (just simple drag-and-operate). In the picture you could see that three of us share different ideas and add pictures to express our feeling. 

As you can see from the picture, Padlet has a very simple wall as the background and the members of the group are free to put ideas onto the Padlet. Given a topic, students could bravely express themselves when new ideas are available and others will see it simultaneously. All opinions are recorded on the Padlet in various media pattern but will not be evaluated. Brainstorming is designed to open mind of all participants to have ideas collide with each other.

Advantages: The combination of ICT tools and language teaching could stimulate student interest, active classroom atmosphere, and the boring study becomes relaxed and happy. This class collaborative learning can basically involve the whole class. Like Stacey said in his blog Padlet in the Classroom, Padlet is also a good resource to showcase student work, this can be sent to anyone who has Internet access, other students are able to see the work of their classmates and make comments if necessary.

Disadvantages: This tool is a little too simple that sometimes you cannot control it as a teacher. Maybe in the following updates they can add some administrator authority.