Using Padlet
Victoria University now has a licence for Padlet. Padlet is an online tool that allows students to share text, images, links, videos, and more. It can be shared with your students or colleagues by embedding the padlet on a VU Collaborate page, scanning a QR code, or providing them with the unique Padlet link.
This guide includes
Steps to follow when setting up and using a Padlet:
Related guides
See the Gallery for some great examples and inspiration of how you can use Padlet in your learning space.
Request a Padlet account
Staff Only
To get access to a VU Padlet account, send your request with your eNumber to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Students
Create a free account (with up to 3 Padlet boards) at https://www.padlet.com
Step One: Access Padlet
1. Go to Padlet at Victoria University and log in with your provided login details.
2. When you sign in, the first thing you see is the Dashboard.
If you have an existing Padlet account, you will be given the option to import previously created Padlet.com into your VU Collaborate Padlet account.
See Import my personal padlets to a Backpack account
3. Click Make a Padlet, then click on Blank board tile to create a new Padlet board.
Or select a template from a range of use cases.
4. Enter your board title, ideally can be the unit name or unit code and topic (i.e.: ABC1234 - Introduction to...).
5. Select a format (1) and turn on/off sections (2).
Padlet offers several kinds of options as shown in the image below which can be used for different learning tasks.
- Wall - similar to Pinterest, allows you to post texts, images or videos.
- Stream - looks like a blog where only one post is seen at a time in order.
- Timeline - displays in a horizontal list of items.
- Grid - displays items in a row and therefore looks better when the items are of similar size.
- Canvas - can be used to develop mind maps to show inter-relationships.
- Map - allows posts to be added as a point on a map.
Step Two: Customise your Padlet board
Customise the look and feel of your board via Settings.
1. Open Padlet Settings by clicking on the gear icon on the right screen.
2. Scroll through the list to modify and customise your board:
- Heading:
- Title - ideally be the unit name or unit code
- Description - insert the question or activity prompts.
- Appearance (background, theme, etc)
- Layout (group posts and sort posts)
- Engagement (comments and reactions)
- Content (moderation)
- Advanced
3. Padlet settings will be saved automatically by the system.
Once done, click on the X (close) icon to exit the settings panel.
Step Three: Add Collaborators
Next, to ensure other users (students or colleagues) can access and post on your Padlet, you would need to configure padlet Privacy settings.
1. To access the Privacy setting, click on the Share option on the top right.
2. Type to search for staff using their names/emails/staff ID in the Add a collaborator field (Staff Only).
Then, adjust any permissions if needed.
Step Four: Share your Board
Boards created in Padlet can be exported in several ways, including as a PDF, an image, a spreadsheet, or printed out. Your Padlet can also be shared by its unique URL, sent via email, or embedded into your unit space.
Some commonly used are:
Embed into your unit space
To embed the code into an HTML page in your learning space, first, you will have to copy the embed code from Padlet.
1. In your Padlet, click Share
2. Before sharing your board, ensure your Padlet is set as writable (Writer (1)) and Secret (2) (only viewable by embed code or link) as below.
If you choose the "Organisation wide" option, it's restricted to users in your organization. Visitors not in your organization will be denied access, in this case, students won't be able to access them as they're not required to have accounts).
3. Select Embed in your blog or your website, then select Copy padlet embed code.
4. Return to your Unit Space, and add a new document or edit an existing document HMTL page.
In the HTML editor, click on the insert stuff icon, then select Enter Embed Code.
5. Paste your embed code into the text box, then click Next.
6. Click Insert.
Then click Save and Close, to confirm your changes.
Present your board as a SlideShow
To display your Padlet board as presentation slides, simply click on the Open Slideshow option from the top-right menu.
A new tab will open and show your board in slideshow format. The look and format of the presentation will be the same as the appearance settings in current your board.
For more information, you can also refer to the Padlet Slideshow guide, by Padlet team.
Manage Padlet boards from Block to Block
At the start of each Block, it is the unit convenor's responsibility to make sure that all content and activities in the unit site are up to date, this includes Padlets.
In general, Padlets should be changed/updated in the delivery space, and there are three options to help you accomplish that.
Option 1: Make a copy (remake) of the Padlet board and embed it in the HTML page
Option 1: Make a copy (remake) of the Padlet board and embed it in the HTML page
If you want to have a completely new Padlet with no responses from previous students and you want to maintain the previous responses so that those students can review it, it is best to remake the Padlet and embed it. This takes a bit longer but ensures student privacy and access to learning materials and activities.
- Go to VU Padlet Dashboard and select the Padlet board you need to remake
- Select Remake from the options column
- (2) rename your new padlet with a useful name that helps you to keep track of your board (e.g.: topic, unit code, teaching period & year).
- Tick on the (3) copy design and/or copy people and privacy.
- For multiple location groups within the same unit site, you may wish to create separate Padlets per group.
- Add any new unit convenors or key teaching staff as Members of the Padlet with Can administer permissions (see Adding Collaborators).
- Navigate to your relevant page in the VU Collaborate site and remove your old Padlet board
- Embed the new Padlet that you have just remade, following Sharing your Wall.
Option 2: Keep the existing Padlet but remove the posts
Option 2: Keep the existing Padlet but remove the posts
If you want to have a fresh Padlet with no responses from previous students, you can keep the Padlet and delete all posts. If you want to provide a record for students to go back and look at you can make a pdf of the Padlet and upload it in the space.
Note: This option does not protect student privacy unless you also delete the Padlet in the previous space, as previous students could see current student responses.
- Go to VU Padlet Dashboard and select the relevant Padlet.
- Create a pdf of the Padlet, by going to Share then Save as PDF, and upload it in the previous delivery space as a record.
- Once the export is completed, select Clear posts from the menu options represented by the (...) three dots.
- Add any new unit convenors or key teaching staff as Members of the Padlet with Can administer permissions (see Adding Collaborators)
Answer common Padlet questions
Click on each tile below for more details and instructions.
How can I request for VU Padlet account (Staff Only)?
How can I request for VU Padlet account (Staff Only)?
If you haven't yet done so, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a VU Padlet account (for Staff Only). Using the University's licence removes the limit of three Padlet's for teachers when using Padlet.com.
Note: If you wish to run an activity where student create their own Padlet, they can create up to three with the free account at www.padlet.com.
I forgot my Padlet password. How can I reset?
I forgot my Padlet password. How can I reset?
1. You can reset the password by going to: victoriauniversityau.padlet.org.
Then, click on Forgot password? link from the login screen.
2. Enter your VU email OR Username (e-number).
And, select Submit.
3. You will receive an email from Padlet shortly in your mailbox. Follow the instructions to reset your password.
What to do when there is no plus icon to add posts
What to do when there is no plus icon to add posts
This usually happens when the sharing settings have not been properly set to allow users to add posts to the Padlet. You can update this setting via the Share button on the Padlet.
1. Click the Share button on the right-hand corner of the Padlet
You might notice that the settings are on Reader which restricts students to read only. This needs to be changed to Writer to allow students to add posts.
2. To do so, select the dropdown next to Visitors (anyone with link).
3. Then. select Writer option.
Visitors/Students should now be able to post to your Padlet board.
How can I download and sign in to Padlet Mobile App
How can I download and sign in to Padlet Mobile App
First step is to download the Padlet App to your devices, follow this link: Download Padlet apps
Next, you will be required to log in. The steps below will walk you through how to log in to your VU Padlet account.
1. Open the app and select Log in button.
2. A pop-up opens, select Continue.
3. On the log-in options page, at the bottom next to the text 'Backpack or Briefcase user?',
click on the Log in here link.
4. Enter victoriauniversityau in the domain field.Once done, select Continue and log in using your credentials.
Further Support
Contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., for information and resources on technology-enhanced learning, or visit VUCollaborateHelp.vu.edu.au.
Contact ITS Service Desk on (03) 9919 2777 or via self-service servicedesk.vu.edu.au for technical support.