Title: Padlet: promoting group learning while minimising free riding

Authors: Sofi Mohd Fikri; Mohd Alif Bin Jasni; Ming-Pey Lu; Chai-Aun Ooi; Muna Maryam Azmy

Addresses: School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, School of Economics, Finance and Banking, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia, UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, School of Economics, Finance and Banking, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia, UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, School of Economics, Finance and Banking, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia, UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, School of Economics, Finance and Banking, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia, UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, School of Economics, Finance and Banking, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia, UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia

Abstract: In conjunction with the prevalence of online teaching and learning, we highlight on how learning application can assist in minimising free riding issues. We argue that the learning applications that facilitate constant, spaceless communication between teachers and students will exacerbate the problem of free riding. Employing action research and utilising Padlet as a collaborative learning tool, this study revisits the free riding research. We first survey 265 students from different courses on their experience of free riding. We choose a course that instructor has deemed to have a high likelihood of free riding problems. After that, we conduct a post-intervention questionnaire to acquire the student's feedback on Padlet. Despite the fact that only 6% students believe the task involves free riding, most agree that Padlet is a helpful tool for teamwork. In short, our study shows that Padlet improves the quality of discussion while simultaneously tackling free riding issues.

Keywords: Padlet; collaborative learning; group learning; free riding; Universiti Utara Malaysia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2026.152759

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2026 Vol.18 No.2, pp.230 - 248

Received: 02 Jul 2024
Accepted: 20 Aug 2024
Published online: 09 Apr 2026 *

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