Using Padlet for multimodal collaboration
Padlet provides an opportunity to post and curate a range of multimodal content for brainstorming, sharing and collaboration. It can be accessed via our online learning environment or directly via the UOW Padlet website.
Why?
While a range of activities exists within the online learning environment that can be used to facilitate sharing multimodal content or collaboration, few bring these two aspects together in a cohesive package as Padlet does.
Padlet is like a digital canvas that allows you to create posts by:
- file upload
- audio recording
- video or screen recording
- drawing annotations and adding captions to existing posts
- linking to existing:
- pages
- Youtube videos
- Spotify songs or playlists
- embedding gifs, videos and other content and
- commenting on, rating or reacting to existing posts.
Use Cases and Examples
Padlets can be presented in a variety of formats, allowing for a wide range of pedagogical use cases for formative (informal) learning activities. Including, but not limited to:
- marking information on relative points on a Timeline format – as demonstrated in this example of the Apollo missions.
- dropping pins with annotation on a Map format – suitable for use as an icebreaker activity or as demonstrated in this example of the locations of the Seven Ancient Wonders
- mapping concepts or content in a Canvas format – as demonstrated in this example of a flow chart.
- brainstorming and organising information and replies under headings in the Shelf format to assist with planning and reflection activities– as demonstrated in this KWL chart.
- sequencing information in a single column via the Stream format to support learner progression in a linear and ordered manner– as demonstrated in this blog post on voting and grading in Padlet.
- posting in a freeform manner where content will dynamically rearrange in the Wall format, or into a strict visual system using the Grid format. These formats are conducive to posting with the intention of brainstorming and/or sharing information that does not need to be grouped into categories – as demonstrated in this Grid format example Conference Introduction Padlet
The multitude of options listed above can assist in a transition from a teacher-focused pedagogy into a more student-centred pedagogy with fewer barriers to student contribution or creation. The provision of multiple modalities for contribution also provides flexibility and choice regarding the ways in which students can contribute to brainstorming, information exchange and interaction. These possibilities have the potential to enable authentic and engaging learning and teaching opportunities.
How?
As Padlet is an external tool to UOW systems (albeit UOW approved/tested) there are key design factors that need to be considered when using it for teaching purposes.
A detailed guide on this can be found in the IMTS Knowledgebase Article: Padlet: Important information on Privacy, Security and Student Consent.
If a student does not consent to this, alternate arrangements should be made to allow the student to partake in an equivalent manner.
A starting point for setting up and using Padlet at UOW can be found in the following IMTS Knowledgebase Articles:
