Exploring Digital Tools (Padlet) - Loriana Noriz-Diaz

1. Give a general overview of your activity (include a link, QR code, screen shot, or access code)

My Padlet Discussion Board


2. Where would this activity fit into a lesson? (Before instruction, during, after, review, exit ticket, etc.)

I would put the Padlet discussion board before a lesson on how to compare or use fractions in real word problems. I want to gauge what the students see as fractions or how they use them without even knowing. Students are seeing different ideas or examples everywhere, so I want to know where they are starting in order to build off math they see at home to make the transition the lesson easier. I may also use this as a starter and an exit ticket (or cool down) after they have learned about fractions. This gives me and the students a way to see how their thinking was and how we built off their understanding. Everyone can see how ideas are constantly growing with new information given with Padlet being an outlet to put everything on.


3. Why did you choose this tool for this purpose? (What does it do better than a paper-based or non-tech option?)

Padlet gave the students more free range to see other students on ideas at their own pace and have a connection button to their peers ideas. I wanted the students to visually see how their ideas have similar themes or seeing different ideas they would've never thought of. On the discussion board, they are connecting in terms of fractions which is heavily visuals orientated. The students would be able to add picture and videos to support their answers if needed, which could benefit the fraction lesson on the Padlet. This discussion could be verbal or paper base, but I believe Padlet gives better options to visually show different layouts or options for the students to look at, such as picture, videos, or the connection layout.


4. How does this support student learning or engagement? (Reference something you've seen or experience in your field hours if possible)

Students are afraid to participate even when they have a good comment or answer, so Padlet gives them the anonymous nature and free range to speak their thoughts and interact with their classmates. With math there is a fear of being wrong, so the students have a low bar with a discussion based platform where there is no wrong or right answer. In my math methods placement, I see students afraid to speak or share their correct answer, so giving them an option to participate anonymously could slowly build their confidence to not need prompting to share their ideas or answers in class.