Padlet Post-it Boards

Padlet is a collaborative tool which allows you to share content with others in real time, it’s an interactive space that can be filled with text (posts), images, videos and links; all of which can be accessed easily from multiple devices. The following link takes you to Padlet’s website What is Padlet?  

Staff guides to creating and using Padlet

For staff with basic familiarity with Padlet the guidance below should serve as a refresher. 
For new staff we recommend reading the detailed guidance in our Staff Guide to Padlet.
If you are considering using Padlet for individual student assignments, read the staff guide on the Padlet Copy to Each User Option

View our ‘Getting started with Padlet‘ video

Create your Padlet in Moodle

From your Moodle module, turn editing on and choose ‘Add and Activity or Resource‘ and select ‘Padlet‘ from the list of activities. If you are a first-time user, your account will be automatically created. 

Padlet activity button displayed in Moodle

Key Settings 

Working within Moodle, you should be able to safely accept many of the default settings.  For example, a  new Padlet’s ‘Visitor Permission’ is set to ‘Writer’ by default, which is normally what you would want, so that students, or anyone else you share the Padlet with, will be able to post content.   

Here is an overview of all the Visitor permissions and what they mean: 

  • No Access: this option means that only specified/ invited individuals can access the Padlet 
  • Reader: Visitors can access the Padlet and read posts 
  • Writer: Visitors can write new posts 
  • Moderator: Visitors can write, edit and approve posts

Disabling ‘re-makes’ (copies) of your Padlet

You may wish to allow students to ‘Remake’ (copy) your Padlet. But if you wish to prevent students doing this, you must go to the settings cog and scroll down to ‘Remakes‘. Change the setting from ‘Everyone‘ to ‘Admins only‘.  

Padlet privacy settings

You also have the option of how you wish for others to access the Padlet (under Link Privacy).  If you create the Padlet in Moodle (recommended) the default option is ‘Organisation Only’

There are three settings to choose from: 

  • Secret: This means that, anyone you share the Padlet URL with, can view and post content and they do not require to have a University Padlet account. Posts will appear anonymously.  
  • Secret Password: This is similar to Secret but with added security. Anyone who has the link and the Padlet password (of your choosing) can view and post content without a University Padlet account. Posts will appear anonymously. 
  • Organisation only: Choose this option when you want anyone in the University with a Padlet account to access your Padlet. Because they will be logged in with their University Padlet account, you can choose whether posts appear anonymously, or whether the poster’s name is attributed.  

Export Options

Padlets can be exported in PDF, Excel or image formats, which is recommended when using Padlet for assessment purposes and when you need to keep a permanent record. 

Comments, Like/Upvote and other Settings

The ‘comments’ and like/upvote features are amongst the most valuable features of Padlet, and can be used to turn the Padlet into a thinking and voting tool where talking points and class opinions can be formed and rich learning artifacts created. Use of these features with the students is highly recommended.

Padlet offers a wide range of different layouts and styles. You can also choose from hundreds of different types of backgrounds to suit the type of Padlet you are creating and its intended audience. You can even upload your own background if you’d prefer!  

The following link will take you to Padlet’s website where you can access an Introduction to Padlet: Getting Started for Absolute Beginners video. You will also find a whole host of other videos which will provide you with hints, tips and support for creating your Padlets.  

How to link your personal Padlet account  

Do you have a Padlet account that you originally set up before you had a University account? You can import any or all of your personal Padlets into your University account.

  1. Login to your Edinburgh Napier University Padlet account at edinburghnapier.padlet.org 
  2. Click on your profile (top right of the screen)
  3. Select ‘Import’ from the drop down menu
  4. Follow the link to leave ENU’s Padlet account and login to your account on padlet.com
  5. Select the Padlet(s) you wish to import
  6. Select Import Padlet(s)
  7. A success message will be displayed when your Padlets have imported. 

Accessibility 

To access Padlet’s most up to date information on Accessibility, please click on the following link: Accessibility  

 

Setting up a Padlet Account Outside of Moodle

With Padlet now integrated into Moodle this option should rarely be needed, however Edinburgh Napier staff and students can create accounts in Padlet itself. Login via: https://edinburghnapier.padlet.org where you should select the ‘Continue with SAML’ option. 

example login page

Further Information 

An example padlet board describing the life cycle of a butterfly linking to activities for students to follow.

Please feel free to contact the Learning Support Team if you have any queries about using Padlet.