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CA2 Evaluation of Technology

The technology I am going to review is called ‘Padlet.’ Padlet is used to present information on a virtual bulletin board which can then be shared with anyone in the world. Here is the link to the technology https://padlet.com/

Punctuality:

Padlet is a tool that resembles a bulletin board that one would pin sticky notes with ideas and information onto. The major difference here is that it is online. It’s like a virtual bulletin board that has multi- device compatibility. There is an app available to download or one can simply search the link above that is displayed in the introduction and this will direct you to the website. Padlet can be shared with colleagues, peers, friends or whoever you desire with a link or a QI code. Padlet could be used for making notes when doing assignments. Links can be copied and pasted onto Padlet when doing research. You can put a link through text or email and you can turn on notifications so you are alerted when you have received new information on Padlet.

Strenghts and Weakness:

Strenghts

Weaknesses

Free

Need to practice and experiment with it in order to be confident in using it

Multi- device compatibility

Need to own a device in order to use it

Quick way to share information with a mass of people

Removes healthy, normal face to face human communication

Can attach useful links

People who are not big technology fans may be scared of it, causing them to feel isolated

Can log on and off whenever you desire

Need a login

Comparisons with other Technology:  

After playing around with Padlet and enjoying it I decided to try out Wakelet. Wakelet had similarities and differences to Padlet. Wakelet, like Padlet, is free. Wakelet looked different to Padlet as Padlet looks like a bulletin board which I really liked about Padlet. I found it easy to use as you can make collections with different ideas. You can add links, images and text. You can save the collections you make, or they can be published with your choice of who views them. You can add people by email which I think would be handy in the early years setting. It is a good way of sharing information and ideas but I personally preferred Padlet. I really enjoyed the layout of Padlet and how it resembles a bulletin board.  

Here is a link for wakelet https://wakelet.com/

Would you use it?

Yes I would use Padlet. After downloading the app onto my phone and playing around with it I quickly became familiar with what it’s about and how it works. I am not very good when it comes to technology and I’m a bit old fashioned as I’m set in my ways and get a bit intimidated by new technology. I assume that new technology to me, is going to be difficult to use and over complicated. To my delight, this was not the case when I used Padlet. I used the technology on my phone and on the computer and both worked perfectly and were easily accessible. I’m faster at typing than I am at writing so I think Padlet will help me save time when making study notes. I’m quite OCD about how my notes look as well so I’d be conscious of my handwriting and making any mistakes, having to use Tipp ex, making it unappealing to look at. Padlet will ensure my notes are neat and organised making them clear to read and easier to manage.  It also means all my notes will be accessible on my laptop that I’ll be using to do my assignments or on my phone which I always have with me. For this reason, I think I’ll look at my notes a lot more frequently as they will be to hand all the time. Whether I’m on the bus, in a queue or waiting for the ads to finish to get back to the program I’m watching, my notes will be just a quick click away. I’m hoping that being able to do small bits of study constantly throughout the day will make studying easier and feel like it’s not taking up so much of my time. Cutting out carrying ring binders, copies and handouts is a big plus for me. I hate being weighed down by these things. As if it wasn’t bad enough that I had to learn all the content, it weighs me down causing shoulder and back pain as well. Padlet is a great replacement for this. I'd like to suggest the use of Padlet to my manager in my service. I think it could be a new and efficient way to communicate with parents. It would save trees and costs of printing the seasonal newsletter and it would share information instantly keeping the parents up to date.

Siobhán Crimin