Description of Productivity Tool
Padlet was selected as a productivity tool to help students to determine the meaning of content-specific words and figurative language and complete a writing project. Padlet is an online tool that allows students and educators to collaborate, adding posts, questions, answers, weblinks, videos, and other media (“Padlet is the easiest way to create and collaborate in the world,” n.d.). With this productivity tool, teachers can create boards, webpages, and documents, sharing them with learners and motivating children to achieve positive learning outcomes. In addition, this application helps students to discuss educators’ questions and possible problems in real-time mode.
How Padlet Impacts Learning
Like other technology productivity tools, Padlet enhances learning significantly. For instance, the study by Kleinsmith (2017) reveals that the utilization of this application in classrooms can increase students’ engagement in the learning process and affect their academic performance positively. Literacy is a highly significant skill for students, which means that it is vital to use visual tools, such as Padlet, to enhance it (Mathematica, 2016). Padlet can improve learning by allowing children to discuss the material with each other and the educator at any time. Its features, such as boards, are effective for helping students to visualize and memorize information studied in class. Thus, Padlet can be applied as a tool for guided practice and assessment, as teachers can check children’s answers immediately, respond to their questions, and leave comments on their performance. Moreover, students can practice independently using the boards and other visual materials, which can increase their productivity significantly.
How Padlet Impacts Teaching
As a teaching tool, Padlet allows the educator to utilize various approaches to presenting the learning material. For example, they can create boards with useful information, such as the words students are expected to learn or important phrases from class books. Educators can also share lists of useful links and files to help students to understand the learning material. They can also ask students to use Padlet to submit their homework and explain the meaning of words to each other. Thus, with this tool, teaching can be more effective because students have an opportunity to learn collaboratively. Such an approach can make language arts easier for third-grade students and enhance their motivation to learn the subject better.
NYS Common Core Learning Standards
As mentioned above, Padlet will be used to help students in understanding the processes of multiplication and division, as well as related strategies. New York State (NYS) Common Core Learning Standards for grade 3 in English Language Arts (ELA) state that students are expected to:
- Reading: Determine the meaning of phrases and words as they are used in the text, distinguishing literal from non-literal language, and separate their own viewpoint from the one presented in the text (“New York State,” n.d.);
- Writing: Write opinion pieces on texts, state their opinion clearly, provide reasoning and utilize linking words and phrases (“New York State,” n.d.);
- Speaking and listening: Determine the main ideas of the texts presented in visual formats (“New York State,” n.d.);
- Language (communication): Recognize differences between spoken and written standard English (“New York State,” n.d.);
The instructional activity that ensures compliance with the NYC Common Core Learning Standards is presented below.
ISTE Standards
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards are designed to help learners to use technologies in their learning process and ensure student-driven education (International Society for Technology in Education, 2019). ISTE standards for students involve planning effective approaches to studying, building knowledge by analyzing real-world problems, and evaluating the relevance of information. The standards for teachers include inspiring learners to become a part of the digital world, mentoring safe and ethical practices, and establishing an engaging learning culture that fosters curiosity (International Society for Technology in Education, 2019). Finally, coaches are expected to provide effective classroom management and a collaborative approach to learning, establish a technology-rich learning environment, and implement adaptive technologies. The use of Padlet in adherence to ISTE standards is demonstrated in the example of an instructional activity below.
Instructional Activity
At the beginning of the lesson, the educator will present the book (Charlotte’s Web) selected for the writing project. To engage the audience in reading, the teacher will show them the pictures from the book and ask them what the plot of the story can be.
Reading and Speaking Activities
Students will read aloud the first short chapter they will work on during the writing project. With the help of Padlet boards, the teacher will explain the meaning of context-specific words. Then, learners will use Padlet to organize the picture the educator provides and distinguish which of them are relevant to the chapter.
Listening Activity
The educator will read several sentences from the chapter; students will identify the meaning of context-specific phrases. Learners will use Padlet to write down context-specific meanings of words.
Communicating Activity
Students will be asked to present their viewpoints on the events of the chapter, as well as its main ideas. They will work in pairs and explain each other’s opinions to the class.
Writing Activity
Students will be asked to complete a writing project on the first chapter of the book. They will write an opinion piece on the text, stating their viewpoint about the characters and their actions. Learners will be expected to provide reasoning for their arguments.
References
International Society for Technology in Education. (2019). ISTE standards for students. Web.
Kleinsmith, C. L. (2017). The effects of using Padlet on the academic performance and engagement of students in a fifth grade basic skills mathematics classroom. Web.
Mathematica. (2016). Why is literacy so important? [Video file]. Web.
New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy. (n.d.). Web.
Padlet is the easiest way to create and collaborate in the world. (n.d.). Web.