The Task
Let’s get
to know one another. For this icebreaker activity, share something about
yourself with the group. Consider telling us about a hobby, or something that
you care about, something that makes you unique, or a value that is at your
core. This is the first thing you will share with others in this group, so make
sure that 1) You are comfortable sharing this information with people you do
not yet know and 2) It is distinctive in some way, because people will remember
you by this trait or aspect of your life that you share.
Once you
have the idea of what you want to share, do the following two things (you can
write your responses in a Word or other text document):
- Write a brief description that explains
this trait, hobby, or value and how it manifests in your life. Aim for
about 50 words.
For example: I am a proud mother of 5 dogs that I rescued from the
local animal shelter. These dogs are mixed breeds, with some small, some
large, some beige, some black. They require constant attention and take me
on a walk 3x a day. This not only keeps me in shape but gives me constant
cuddles.
- Consider how you might illustrate this
post. What image would capture what you wrote? Write a short (5-10 words),
specific, and concrete description of that image. It will pay off to be
specific.
For example: An image of 5 dogs of different breeds that are walking
next to a white woman in her 50s on a forest path.
The Post
To share these
details of ourselves with each other, we will use the platform Padlet. Padlet
is a digital canvas that pins each post of a group on a cloud-based board. It’s
very visual, easy to use, and goes not require students to register in order to
post (though it does require the instructor who sets up the post to do so).
Here, we
will use Padlet with a twist. There is a generative AI drawing tool embedded
within Padlet that allows users to post images generated by the artificial
intelligence. This makes it easy, and fun, to add images to the posts and makes
the canvas filled with beautiful images. The images help viewers spot specific
posts and the visuals also make it easier to get the gist of the posts in the
group.
Here are
the steps to follow to post on Padlet and add a generative AI image. The
instructions are also provided in a video below.
- SITE. Go to the following webpage: https://padlet.com/anniepg/FLO_AOD
- MAKE A POST. To make a post: look for the + button at
the bottom right of the canvas. Click on it. This will open a blank form
for you to fill in order to add your post. [This is the button you see
with the number 1 in the image]

- ENTER NAME. In the top part of the form (where it
says Enter Your First Name Here), type your first name (or the name
by which you would like members of this group to know you). [This is the
button you see with the number 2 in the image]
- IMAGE. Now it is time to add an image, one
generated by generative AI. Click on the colourful figure below your name.
[This is the button you see with the number 3 in the image]. This will
open a new form – this is the form in which you direct the generative AI
tool. Copy the description of your desired post illustration that you wrote
in the step above. A generative AI tool need concrete and specific
information to return an image that matches your intention. If you ask it
to draw “strength,” it might be confused, but if you ask it to draw “a
woman is holding a large and heavy 100 lbs weight at the top of her arms,”
you are more likely to get what you want. Note that you can also specify
the artistic style that you want; for example, try oil painting,
watercolour painting, comic book, impressionist, digital art. Once you hit
“enter,” the generative AI will take a few seconds and propose 6 images.
You can either click on the one you choose, or go back to the text field
to change your description and try again.
- DESCRIPTION. Once you have selected an image, you
should add a brief description that explains your post – what is the thing
that you chose to share with the group and how does it play out in your
life. You can copy the description you prepared above. You should enter
this in the field Provide a brief description of your hobby here. [This
is the button you see with the number 4 in the image]. Note that this is different
to the caption field, which appears immediately below the image. The
caption field has limited characters. You want to enter your description
below the caption, where the character limit is greater.
- POST. Once you are satisfied with your post,
click Publish at the top right of your form. [This is the button you see
with the number 5 in the image]. This will add your post to the canvas.
- ENGAGE. Once you have made your post, get to know
others in the group by reading their posts. If one of them engages you in
some way (perhaps it touches you, or perhaps it is also a hobby or
characteristic that you share), consider interacting with the post. You
can do so in two ways.
- LIKE. Just like in social media platforms, you
can “like” a post. To do so, simply click on the heart below (bottom
left) the post. You will see the heart become filled-in, indicating that
you gave it a “like.”
- COMMENT. You can also comment on the post. In the
space below each post, you will see a blank field that allows you to
respond to the post. If you see one that aligns with your interests, let
the person know. This will connect members of our community that share
similar hobbies or characteristics.
Here is a
video showing these steps.
tinymce-kalturamedia-embed||Posting a GenAi Image on Padlet||400||285
Once you
have posted, don’t forget to come back the following day to see how colleagues
reacted to your post and see the posts that were made after your own and that
you missed.