OTAN News

Using Padlet to Engage Students and Build Community in CTE Classrooms

Written by Yecsenia Castro, OTAN SME

Teachers in Career and Technical Education (CTE) play a significant role in preparing students for real-world careers by providing hands-on learning. One powerful tool to enhance student engagement and foster a strong classroom community is Padlet. Padlet is a digital bulletin board that allows students and teachers to collaborate, share resources, and engage in interactive discussions.

I have worked as a CTE Teacher for over 10 years, and I am always trying to find fun and exciting ways to engage my students and have them do different activities, so they do not get bored. In my search to find a collaborative digital tool that I can use with my students I found Padlet, and I have fallen in love with the different ways it can be used in the CTE classroom.

Here are some effective ways CTE teachers can use Padlet to enrich their classrooms.

1. Interactive Brainstorming and Idea Sharing

   CTE courses often require students to think creatively and solve problems collaboratively. With Padlet, teachers can create brainstorming boards where students contribute ideas, post images, and share links. Whether discussing design concepts in a graphic design class or brainstorming business strategies in an entrepreneurship course, students can participate actively in a shared digital space.

   • Create a Padlet board for students to post ideas on a given topic.
   • Use the “Comments” feature to encourage peer feedback.
   • Allow students to “like” or “vote” on the best ideas to foster engagement.
2. Digital Portfolios and Project Showcases

   CTE students often complete hands-on projects that demonstrate their skills. Padlet serves as an excellent platform for students to build digital portfolios, showcasing their work overtime. This allows students to show off their work and create a space for students to give each other feedback.

   • Assign each student a personal Padlet page to upload project images, videos, and reflections.
   • Encourage students to comment on each other’s work, fostering a sense of community and constructive feedback.
   • Use Padlet as a final showcase for student projects, allowing parents and industry professionals to view student achievements.
3. Resource Sharing and Collaboration

   CTE classes often require access to industry-related resources, including tutorials, career advice, and job opportunities. Padlet allows teachers to compile and organize these materials in one place. This is a great way to keep in contact with students once they leave the class. Students can continue to use the Padlet to share resources and ideas that they use outside the classroom.

   • Create a Padlet board with categorized columns for resources like “Job Listings,” “Industry Trends,” “Tutorials,” and “Certifications.”
   • Allow students to contribute useful resources they find, promoting active engagement.
   • Update the board regularly to ensure students have access to the latest information.
4. Student Reflection and Career Exploration

   Reflection plays a crucial role in career readiness, and Padlet offers an effective platform for students to document their learning journey, career aspirations, and industry insights. I've utilized Padlet as a digital journal, allowing students to reflect on their clinical externship experiences. This space enables them to share valuable insights and experiences from the field, fostering deeper self-awareness and professional growth.

   • Have students post weekly reflections on skills they’ve learned or challenges they’ve faced.
   • Create a “Career Exploration” board where students research and post about different careers in their field.
   • Encourage guest speakers from the industry to interact with students through Padlet, answering questions and offering career advice.
5. Engaging Exit Tickets

   Using Padlet as an exit ticket is a powerful tool for enhancing classroom engagement and reinforcing learning. At the end of a lesson, it provides students with an opportunity to quickly reflect on what they’ve learned, ask questions, or summarize key takeaways. By having students post brief comments, questions, or reflections on Padlet, it encourages active participation and allows teachers to gauge understanding in real time. This can be a dynamic and interactive way to close a lesson while encouraging continuous learning and reflection.

   • Post a daily question related to the lesson topic and have students respond before class begins.
   • Use exit tickets where students summarize what they learned and post any lingering questions.
   • Encourage multimedia responses, such as short videos, voice recordings, or GIFs, to make responses more engaging.
6. Live Discussions and Virtual Collaboration

   Padlet can be used to facilitate live discussions, especially in hybrid or online learning settings. It allows students to participate in real-time discussions even if they are not physically present in the classroom.

   • Post a discussion prompt and have students respond with their thoughts and engage with peers.
   • Utilize Padlet for collaborative group work, where students contribute ideas and resources in real time.
   • Use the “Map” feature for location-based discussions in subjects like culinary arts (regional cuisines) or logistics (supply chain tracking).

Integrating Padlet into CTE classrooms can enhance student engagement, foster collaboration, and create a strong learning community. Whether used for brainstorming, showcasing projects, sharing resources, reflecting, or engaging in discussions, Padlet can offer endless possibilities for enriching hands-on learning experiences.

OTAN Resources

Teaching withTechnology

Google Slides or Padlet Introductions using Gerunds and Infinitives

Padlet: Brainstorming/Pre-Writing Activity

Padlet: Multimedia Bulletin Board

Web-Based Class Activities

Collaboration Celebration!