Padlet for distance collaboration

Many have discovered the benefits of using the Padlet to gather ideas. Padlet is so easy to use, and it looks inviting and just lovely. One of the best things is that you don’t need to log in to use it. The person who created the Padlet simply sends a link to everyone who will be using it. In other words, it’s perfectly GDPR-safe to use!

Create a Padlet

Because Padlet is a popular tool, many have been invited as users at some point. As a user, you get a link and when you click it you are taken to a page that looks a bit like a bulletin board. You may collect ideas in a way that is somewhat similar to post-it notes. Depending on how the Padlet is set from the beginning, users can comment, like and even change the other users’ notes. One particular advantage of Padlet compared to other similar tools is that it allows you to add images and links to the collection.

To create a Padlet, just visit padlet.com and log in. You can use your regular Google accounts, so you don’t need to spread any personal information. If you are not a paying member, you can have a maximum of five boards simultaneously, but on the other hand, you may use all five without any restrictions. To get started, you click “create new”. It is a good thing to think a while of what you want the users to do in your Padlet. You may create boards where the material is placed in perfect rows, boards where the users can post and move material as they please, excellent timelines and even maps. It is worth the time to consider before choosing which type of board that will be perfect for the occasion.

The timeline Padlet

The timeline is very easy to use and it works for everything where things are to be listed one after the other. You can make it as long as you want, and it is easy to create new post-its between the ones that are already there to make it more detailed. It works top-notch to illustrate anything from history to different processes or project plans. The one in the image below was made for my students when they were studying literature history. It’s in Swedish, but you’ll get the picture (literally!).

Education and ICT on social media

The post-it Padlet

The post-it board, or canvas as Padlet calls it, is the most flexible board to use. All the notes are collected precisely where the user places them and you may create and move the post-its around easily, just as if they had been actual post-it notes. One problem with this board is that it will appear differently depending on the user’s screen, which means that there is no point in putting the notes in a specific order. They will appear differently anyway, depending on the user’s screen.

A Padlet with a map

The map option is excellent for anything that has to do with different places. Students can write about places they have researched, or you can place different authors or other famous people on the map. When the students are to use the board, they write the name of the place first of all and Padlet will place the text at the right spot on the map.

A Padlet with neat columns

A more organized alternative of the canvas board is the one that Padlet calls “Shelf”. The posts appear in neat columns, and each column can be given a label. This board can be used for almost anything. I have, among other things, used it to list characteristics of various new religious movements and to work with the Chamber’s popular model in a book project.

How do I invite others to my Padlet?

When your Padlet is ready and all the settings are correct, it’s time to invite the guests. Start by pressing the small gear at the top right and go all the way down the list to set whether visitors should be able to comment and/or like the posts. You can also choose to filter profanity that will make naughty words turn into friendly emojis, a feature that is brilliant if you do not look at your Padlet every day.

Now it’s time to press “Share” and make the proper settings. Start by pressing the pink button that says “change privacy”. You can set a password if you want and decide whether your Padlet should be open to the entire internet or only to invited members. The small dot at the bottom is important since it sets whether visitors should be able to participate in your Padlet or just look at it. Most of the time, you’ll want everyone to be able to write (that’s probably why you create it!), but once it’s done, you may want to change the setting so that it is only displayed to visitors without anyone being able to change it. In other words, do not forget that button!

Now everything is done and your Padlet is ready to use! Share your Padlet by sending the link to everyone who should participate, or share it easily in the Google Classroom. Everyone will think that you are super talented !! 😃