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Five top tips for getting the most of the a basic (free) Padlet account

We frequently use and recommend Padlet boards here at the CLC – they are great for sharing information and collaborating in classrooms and across a school. An individual can have three Padlet walls for free, which is brilliant, but what if you need more? We’ve got five top tips to help you get the most out of your basic Padlet account.

What is a Padlet anyway?

Padlets are simple online noticeboards for displaying information – think of it as the equivalent of digital post-it notes, which can include links, video and audio. It is designed to be collaborative, but there are settings to decide how much viewers can contribute. That makes it a really versatile tool, as you can decide everything from how it looks to the control you have over access, posting, privacy settings and sharing. Available as an app and a web version, it can be accessed through a range of devices.

Check our our handy short guide for more on how to use Padlets

Tip 1. Reusing the same Padlet boards

Work within the three Padlet limit by reusing existing boards. For example, you could use a board as a class noticeboard which is regularly refreshed. Rather than making a new board each week for posting homework etc you can simply export your padlet as a PDF for your records, delete all of the posts on the online version, then post new content to the same board the following week. You could use the same principle to facilitate class discussions or even gather homework. You can even change the board format and design if you want to use it for something different.

Tip 2. Archiving Padlets

If you want to make a new Padlet board but don't want to delete the posts from an older one you can temporarily archive it. Then, if you want to reinstate the older board you can simply archive another active Padlet before unarchiving it.

Tip 3. Sharing Padlets

Don’t forget that you can add a colleague to a board as a collaborator. You can decide how much control they have but, if you make them an administrator, they can essentially use this board as though it were their own. This means that a teacher with a spare Padlet board can share it with a colleague who has run out.

Tip 4. Using a referral code

If lots of staff members are going to be using Padlet, encourage them to sign up via the referral code from the account that you plan to use most frequently. This will result in additional free Padlets for both parties.

Tip 5. Linking to externally hosted content

The 25MB upload limit might seem restrictive but, because Padlet does such a nice job of embedding externally hosted content, this often isn't as much of a problem as it may seem. For example, if you link to a Youtube, Vimeo or even (public) Google Drive video you will see it appear on the board much as it would if you had uploaded the video file directly.

Thanks to Zoheb Jamal from Padlet who we hosted for a really useful webinar – Collaboration, creativity and assessment: In conversation with Padlet. Here's the whole webinar to watch and pick up lots more tips. 

You might also like...

Our blog post Scaling up Padlet in schools: a great way to support learning with limited digital access

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Summer primary school computing conference

14/06/22,
09:15
- 15:30

This event will build upon the Autumn computing conference by inviting subject leaders to reflect on their year in the role, sharing their successes and challenges. It will also introduce new ideas, tools and approaches through talks and practical activities led by members of the CLC team, with opportunities for attendees to share their own expertise and experience. Over the course of the conference activities will touch on the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science, digital literacy and information technology. We will also feature advice and examples illustrating the use of technology to support blended learning.

Book here

Does your school need a sustained programme in the use of digital technology to underpin your whole school aims and plans?

Our support package covers the following:

Professional learning

Teacher professional development which puts digital at the heart of teaching and learning

Pupil workshops

Engaging, practical workshops for your class, in your school, at our Clapham centre online

Creative technology projects

Engaging, immersive educational experiences with corporate and cultural partners

Consultancy & advice

Get tailored support from our expert team of teachers and technologists

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Upcoming CPD

Summer primary school computing conference
Summer primary school computing conference

This event will build upon the Autumn computing conference by inviting subject leaders to reflect on their year in the role, sharing their successes and challenges. It will also introduce new ideas, tools and approaches through talks and practical activities led by members of the CLC team, with opportunities for attendees to share their own expertise and experience. Over the course of the conference activities will touch on the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science, digital literacy and information technology. We will also feature advice and examples illustrating the use of technology to support blended learning.

14/06/22,
09:15
- 15:30
EYFS, KS1, KS2
Computing subject leaders, Teachers...
More info >
Creative Arts, Digital and children – CLC meets More Than Robots online
Creative Arts, Digital and children - CLC meets More Than Robots online

Combining forces for the first time, the Connected Learning Centre and More Than Robots have created a session for teachers, youth organisations, researchers and policymakers interested in the digital provision of creative arts for primary aged pupils.

Presentations

The Play Observatory - Prof. John Potter

“In their own words”: Westminster Abbey & CLC digital projects - Sian Shaw

Building (and maintaining) a city-wide primary arts curriculum to raise attainment - Kate Fellows

More to be added soon

This interactive and inclusive meet up will include inspiring examples of how technology can be used to support learning in music, visual art and drama in person and online at home drawing on our experiences as Tate Exchange associates and our partnership work with a range of cultural institutions.

This informal event is an opportunity to discuss real examples of what does/doesn’t work, meet colleagues from other sectors working on similar challenges and share useful research, news or updates

The morning will include case study presentations (details below) followed by a Q&A. There will also be an opportunity for a rapid sharing round for launches, project updates or requests for help and a short break to avoid zoom brain drain.

24/06/22,
09:30
- 11:30
KS1, KS2
Subject leaders, Teachers...
More info >

Upcoming Special projects

The Garden Museum
21/02/22,
-
KS1

The CLC is once again partnering with the Garden Museum to offer a partnership project for KS1 pupils (primarily suited to Yr2). Located next to Lambeth Palace on the bank of the Thames, the museum has an inspiring collection that provides the ideal stimulus for young learners to explore the world around them.

Pupils will use technology alongside the museum’s collection to explore the wonderful world of seeds.

  • How are they planted?
  • How do they spread?
  • What is inside them?

 The Garden Museum has a large collection of seeds and tools that pupils will engage with.

These half-day sessions will take place at the Garden Museum.

There is a limited number of dates available, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

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