Padlet layout options

Padlet offers different layouts and formats that control the arrangement of posts on the wall. For guidance and inspiration, see the following layout options listed by common activities. Please also consider other formats listed in the Padlet gallery page.

Brainstorming and mind mapping

Column layout

This option organises posts under labelled headings/categories/questions and is useful when engaging students to collate their ideas or examples related to key topics. Stack content in a series of columns and give your students a place to brainstorm and add their response.

This option is useful for Zoom breakout room activities and discussions (see using a Padlet wall to guide Zoom breakout group activities). Label columns with breakout room numbers and suggest that one student in each breakout room act as scribe to summarise group discussion.

Freeform layout

This layout scatters posts, enabling flexibility over placement and the option to connect posts. This option is useful for freeform brainstorming and concept/mind mapping activities.

More information on how to use arrow connectors.

Discussion forum alternatives

Wall and Grid layouts

Wall and Grid layouts organise posts neatly in fixed blocks and are useful for collating material and posting ideas. These options can be used to encourage discussions and presentations, supporting visual metaphors or image-based responses.

Wall layout

Wall layout is a brick-like format and is useful to gather a lot of posts on one place. An example of use is for students to add digital presentations or posters before presenting as part of student conferences. Students can leave comments or ratings to provide feedback or vote. Individual padlets can also be shared with guests such as industry representatives.

Icebreaker and informal feedback activities

Walls and Maps can be used for icebreakers and introduction activities. Set up a Padlet as an introductory “About me” activity or ask students pin their location on a map. This option is useful for adding points to a map with the option of attaching content.

Content delivery

Timeline layout is useful to demonstrate specific concepts more visually or as an alternative try the connectors with Freeform layout for a more organised sequence. Include links to websites and embed further resources to make the content interactive.

Using a Padlet wall to guide Zoom breakout group activities

The Shelf (column) format is useful in Zoom Breakout Rooms, to help collate breakout room discussion, and then report back to the whole group.

Below is a Zoom Breakout Room template (developed by Meredith Hinze, Faculty of Arts) that includes columns for each Zoom breakout group.

This template can be customised to include task guidance or discussion prompts and be used by nominated group scribes to summarise the key points of group discussions.

This is a simple and efficient means of recording discussion points, and it can be linked to and/or embedded within a LMS page for reference or further development asynchronously after the Zoom or in-room class session.

To remake and edit the template for your own use:

1. Login to your padlet.com/unimelb account and go to the Breakout Rooms template.
2. Click on the Remake icon in the top right-hand corner of the Padlet wall. This will remake (clone) the template in your University of Melbourne Padlet account.

Customise to your requirements. You can edit the title, description and background under the settings cog icon in the top right-hand corner, add or delete columns as required and edit the column labels via the three vertical dots icon to the right of the column heading boxes.