Padlet – A Tool for Real-Time Collaboration

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Padlet is a collaborative bulletin board that allows users to post and share a variety of content. To begin, users must register with the website, which will also provide them with an overview for using this website. After registering, users are brought to the dashboard where they can create their first Padlet by clicking the “+ Make A Padlet” button on the top right of the screen. A Padlet will then be created, and users can add a title, description, layout, wallpaper, and tags to it with the menu on the right of the screen. At this point, users can click the “Next” button on the top right of the screen to advance to the share options. These options allow the creator of the Padlet to choose who can access it and how other users can manipulate the content.

At this point, users can click onto the Padlet itself to begin adding content. To place content on the Padlet, users must click the “+” button on the bottom right of the screen. Next, a box appears on the Padlet, and users are to add a title and description to the box that relates to the content they wish to add. Users can then add links, documents, files, presentations, images, and other types of digital content they wish to their Padlet with the menu on the right.

As they add content, users will see it appear on their Padlet, and they will be able to arrange the content by clicking and dragging it. Additionally, depending if and how users shared their Padlet with other users, those others users may be able to add and view the content as well. To return to their dashboard, users can click the “Padlet” icon on the top left, which allows users to view their Padlets they have created, the content they have added, and other analytics related to their Padlet.

Please Note: This review was based on the free version of Padlet, and additional features can be accessed by purchasing a subscription.

Instructional Ideas for Using Padlet

1. After reading a text, students can find an image online that represents a key moment, character, theme, or happening in the text and upload it to their Padlet. In addition, students can then write a title and description that explains the connection between the image and the text. By having each student in a class post an image and description to a Padlet related to the same text, it will provide multiple perspectives about the text.
2. When teaching new vocabulary words and key terms, teachers can assign each student in the class a word or term and students will have to post an entry to a Padlet that represents it. In the post, students will have to include an image and definition for the word or term. After all students post, they will be able to see and read depictions of the word.
3. When students are working together to complete a project, they can create a Padlet where they outline the project, create roles and responsibilities for each student involved in the project, and then students post their work to the Padlet as they complete it.
4. When studying a historical event, scientific property, or significant person, teachers can divide the topic into smaller themes, events, facts, and more and assign a different one to each student in the class. Next, students can create an entry on a Padlet where they share content related to the theme, event, or fact they were assigned along with a description that explains the content they posted in response to it. When finished, classmates can view the different parts of the Padlet to learn more about the original topic. To add a twist, teachers can have students create quiz questions related to the content on this Padlet and email their questions to the teacher, who can use them to create a test.
5. At the beginning of the year, teachers can create a Padlet and let students post images, text, videos, and other content that represent themselves, places they have visited, friends and family members, hobbies and interests, and their accomplishments. For each piece of content, students can include a title and description that explains the significance of the content. That way, the other students in the class can view the content posted by their classmates to begin learning about them before proceeding with the class.

Screenshots of Padlet