Padlet is a virtual pinboard ideal for collaborative library instruction, allowing users to create and share boards with text, links, and images. Librarians can utilize it for various instructional activities, such as group projects, evaluations, and brainstorming sessions. The tool offers customizable features for privacy and sharing options, enhancing its adaptability for online teaching.

1. Padlet for Librarians
Enhancing Our
Instructional Toolkit
Seth Allen
Online Instruction Librarian | King University | swallen@king.edu

2. What Is It?
Padlet is a virtual pinboard that allows users to write
text and upload links and images on a publicly
accessible board.
❏ Easy to create and share boards
❏ Allows for more collaborative work in instruction
❏ Can be adapted for online instruction

3. How to Get Started
❏ Go to padlet.com
❏ Create an account
❏ Be sure to indicate that you are a teacher and use
your school email
❏ Click on ‘Create Padlet’ tab in top right corner to get
started!
❏ Click on Modify Padlet in right hand panel to change
the appearance and/or privacy settings

4. The Add Button (+)
The Add function controls:
❏ Creating new boards
❏ Double click anywhere
on the board to add a
note, link, or image, or
take a webcam photo

5. The Sprocket Icon
The Sprocket controls:
❏ Title
❏ Description
❏ Portrait (icon that appears on
top left hand corner)
❏ Layout
❏ Wallpaper
❏ Privacy settings

6. The Share/Export Icon
Share/Export controls:
❏ Sharing on social media or e-mail
❏ Export as image, Excel, or PDF
❏ HTML Embed
❏ Link/QR Code Sharing

7. Potential Uses for Library Instruction
❏ Group activities involving searching, organizing, or
evaluating library resources
❏ Evaluation Form for Library Instruction Sessions
❏ Quick, easy, and non-threatening assessment tool
❏ Brainstorming activities (i.e. topics, keywords)
❏ Hosting a discussion forum on research

8. Tips for Optimizing Padlet
❏ Change the layout to see posts in synchronous
order
❏ Change the privacy settings in ‘Modify’ to add
people by email, make the Padlet password-
protected, or make it completely public
❏ Use the Share/Export button to download
responses or embed the Padlet in a learning
management system/ web site

9. Potential Instruction Activities with Padlet
❏ Library Scavenger Hunt
❏ Evaluating Websites
❏ Evaluating Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary
Sources
❏ Concept Mapping
❏ Visual Literacy