Written by Mark Brumley, March 1st, 2011
This month’s cool webtool is Popplet. It features a combination of mindmapping, online bulletin board and alternative presentation tool. Due to its ease of use and powerful features, Popplet has great potential for a wide range of grade levels. You can even use it as your classroom homepage! Let’s take a look at the features and some classroom strategies.
Tip: Watch this step-by-step video on using Popplet in the classroom.
As an online bulletin board, Popplet is a snap to use. The user interface may not be as elegant as other sites such as Stixy.com, but it is quite functional. Even younger students will have no problem creating content. After you have created an account and new Popplet (think of a Popplet as a bulletin board), simply double click anywhere on the screen to create a new popple. A popple can hold text, images, videos and even Google maps…perfect for a digital bulletin board project.
To create a mindmap, create a popple and type your content. While it is selected, click one of the four small circles found at each side of the popple. This will create a link to a new popple. You can also drag links to existing content and delete links as necessary. Use the mindmap functionality for any activity where students brainstorm and organize their thoughts.
Popplet is also an excellent presentation tool alternative. Once the content is placed on the board, the presentation order is determined via the presentation menu. Then, while presenting, the application will zoom in on each popple in the order you selected. This provides and excellent, non-linear approach to presenting similar to Prezi.com but with a much easier learning curve.
Popplet is one of the few webtools that is not only easy to use, but is also versatile and powerful. Give Popplet a try and post your comments on the Teacher Experience Exchange.
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