Sometimes it’s overwhelming with all of the amazing online tools out there. So many to experiment with, and time needed to get to understand all of their different quirks.
If you are feeling inundated by the plethora of apps and tools then perhaps an easier way to go is to choose just ONE and get to know it. Discover your own purpose for using it. These can often morph into other uses. Then before you realise it they can become your go-to tool of choice.
I started with one little idea. Padlet seemed like a safe tool to begin with. I only used it as a brainstorming tool for ages. Then I started to use it as a discussion device, then as a student feedback tool, then as a display board on our LMS. Now my padlets house gifs the students have made of their sketches, book reviews they have made using Explain Everything, student writing recorded and uploaded to youtube, original songs composed on garageband uploaded for Mother’s Day and linked by a QR code on student cards, you name it then it’s on a padlet. I’ve even started using it to archive our ICT team minutes and resources.
Teachers who have been nervous about using any ICT tool have now begun to use padlet in their teaching and learning programs. With their brave first steps they are becoming better at problem solving with other ICT issues and more creative with their teaching.
Now that I’ve dipped my toe into the water I feel so much more confident to try other tools, discover their quirks, problem solve and create new purposes for using them. Not only am I in the water but I’m swimming with others.
Dip your toe in the water - with just one idea.
