Using Pinterest in the Classroom

[melanie_mcfadye]

   Since joining Pinterest in....wow, 2012, my boards have been pathetically bare. But as you may have seen from my last post, this fall I've been on an organization kick, and so I've been looking to Pinterest for inspiration. 

   For those who are not already familiar with Pinterest, it's is an image-sharing site, where people collect ideas and web pages by pinning them to their boards. It's essentially the internet's solution to scrapbooking, but instead of preserving old things, you're searching for new things. Pinterest currently has approximately 150 million active users each month, and among those users are students and, increasingly, instructors of all grade levels. Here are just some of the ways that instructors can utilize Pinterest to make their classrooms more engaging, more creative, and more internet-friendly.

Get Inspired

   One of the best aspects of Pinterest is the ability to find and share some of the unique ideas that your colleagues have posted to the site. Whether you're looking to decorate and organize your classroom, find templates for class activities and projects, or even just to find some tips for time-management and stress relief, you'll find plenty of ideas within your first few minutes of searching. You may even find something that you weren't looking for, like the inspiration to learn a new craft or explore new places.

Personally, I've been looking for bullet journal ideas and templates

Share Ideas

   This is something that can benefit you, your colleagues, and even your students. Pinterest provides a space for people to share ideas, so if you want to offer your students some study tips, they can provide you in term with some ideas for outside material that could be discussed in class.

Remove All the Clutter

   Is your desk often covered with articles, journals, and memos? Save all of that information on your phone, computer, or other electronic device instead. With the option to create folders and boards for different categories, it's much easier to store and organize your data on Pinterest, so if you ever get a chance to actually read all of those articles, you'll actually be able to find them!

Student Work

   A great way to get students excited about their studies is to let them explore what they're learning on their own. This helps them develop independent study skills, and gives them an outlet to be creative with their coursework. Students can use the site to brainstorm and research topics, create digital portfolios and journals, and collaborate on group projects. This is also an excellent opportunity to get students thinking about the source of the photos, ideas, and information they're finding, teaching them not only about copyright law but about critically evaluating information and its source.

Build a Creative, Collaborative Environment

   As previously mentioned, Pinterest is a place to share with others, and this can be your space to share with your students. You can start group discussions, share feedback on work, store ideas that have come up in class discussions, and create a space to display impressive work. By allowing students to explore their creativity in class, you'll not only get them thinking about the course material in a new way, but you'll also give them the chance to build communication skills, confidence, and self-reliance. These practices could help students succeed in the classroom, in their careers and, of course, on social media.

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[moizhttp1]

Pinterest can be a valuable tool for educators to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom. Here are some ways you can utilize Pinterest effectively:

1. Curating Resources: Pinterest allows you to create boards where you can save and organize educational resources, such as lesson plans, teaching strategies, educational websites, and visual materials. You can create different boards for various subjects, topics, or grade levels, making it easy to access and share relevant resources with colleagues or students.

2. Visual Inspiration: Pinterest is known for its visually appealing content. You can use it to gather and share visual inspiration for classroom decorations, bulletin boards, project ideas, or interactive displays. It can help create an engaging and stimulating learning environment.

3. Collaboration and Idea Sharing: Pinterest enables educators to connect and collaborate with other teachers from around the world. By following education-related boards and accounts, you can discover new teaching ideas, classroom management techniques, and innovative approaches to instruction. You can also contribute by sharing your own ideas and resources with the education community.

4. Student Projects and Research: Pinterest can be used as a platform for students to showcase their projects, research findings, or creative work. Students can create their boards to curate and present visual content related to their assignments or areas of interest. It allows for creative expression and encourages students to think visually.

5. Professional Development: Pinterest offers a wealth of educational content that can support your professional growth. You can follow boards dedicated to teacher professional development, instructional strategies, technology integration, or specific subject areas. It provides a convenient way to stay updated on the latest trends, research, and best practices in education.

6. Parent Communication: Pinterest can serve as a tool to communicate with parents and guardians. You can create boards specifically for sharing resources, tips, or suggestions for supporting students' learning at home. This can foster a collaborative relationship between teachers and parents, enhancing student success.

When using Pinterest in the classroom, it's essential to consider privacy and copyright guidelines. Ensure that you are using and sharing resources that are legally and ethically appropriate. Additionally, it's important to model responsible digital citizenship and guide students on the proper use of Pinterest and other online platforms.

Pinterest can be a versatile and engaging tool to enhance teaching and learning experiences. By harnessing its features effectively, educators can discover new ideas, organize resources, foster collaboration, and create visually appealing learning environments. martingale dog collars