Try using this very useful tool, Padlet, to collect student responses

In the past I loved using Wallwisher for students to write responses to various questions in various lessons. The creators of Wallwisher recently felt that the name Wallwisher did not live up to their mission of having an online virtual surface that has all the benefits of being digital and the simplicity of a notepad. So the name was changed to Padlet (http://padlet.com) 

Padlet can be described as an ‘online graffiti wall where teachers and students can have discussions, share web links, post notices, collect feedback, or watch and share videos’. 
(http://classroom21.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Padlet)

A teacher poses a question or thought on the padlet they have created, and students’ responses appear like little sticky notes scattered around on the padlet. The biggest plus is that students do not need to sign in to write on the wall.

How to create a Padlet for your class to write on (by Fiona Beal)

Here are some step by step instructions to help you get started.


Great new features in  Padlet

Richard Byrne on Free Technology for Teachers points out some great new features:
1. You can moderate all notes before making them public
2. A new group blog option was added.
3. Padlet offers an option to download the contents of your walls as PDFs, images, Excel, or CSV files. Once downloaded you can print the contents of your walls.
4. Padlet has a Chrome app too.

How can a Padlet be used in a classroom setting?

1. Use Padlet for introductions
I recently used Padlet for students to introduce themselves and say what they are hoping to learn. It worked really well.  There are a myriad of uses for this application.

2. Use Padlet as a KWL chart
Ask students to share anonymously what they know and what they want to know about a topic.

3. Use Padlet for group research
Let the students add videos and notes about their research on a particular topic.

4. Use Padlet as a showcase of your students’ work
Let your students add links to their various online creations

5. Use Padlet as a book review platform
Let students write their comments on a chapter they have read.

6. Use Padlet as a thankyou wall
Let your students thank speakers or a special teacher or anyone you choose to and email them the link.

In fact here are 32 ways to use Padlet in the classroom (started by Jen Hughes). This was created when Padlet was still called Wallwisher. 



Try Padlet - you'll love its simplicity and versatility.