Educational Uses for Pinterest

Pinterest is one of those sites where I get easily distracted. Education. iPads. Technology. Redecorating my home. OOPS...off task. The crazy thing about Pinterest is that if you are a learner then you can learn just about anything on Pinterest. This year for Christmas I gave my coworkers a Mason Jar Sippy Cup, courtesy of Pinterest. When I wanted to learn more about the SAMR Model and technology integration, I found it on Pinterest. It's not about Pinterest being helpful to teachers, it's about the teacher staying focused while searching and pinning and then actually putting to use what you find. Let's be honest, I can PIN all day long but what's the point if I never put those pins to use.

After reading several articles about Pinterest in the classroom, I'd lilke to share 5 ways for teachers to consider using Pinterest in the classroom (all levels K-12). Be sure to read the details because it may be an old idea with a new twist.

Show and Tell

• Set up Show/Tell Pinterest board and invite students/parents so they can pin.
• Elementary: Choose items based on topics (all about me, places I've visited, future occupation, etc)
• Middle School: Learn about classmates by pinning an object that represents them, something (place, object) that their classmates don't know about them, or where they see themselves in 5 years.
• High School: Content Show and Tell...based on what was taught in class a student must find a representation of that concept and tell why it relates.

Showcase Projects

• Think of Pinterest like an art studio showcasing new artist. Create a board to showcase student work. Teachers can upload digital art work, graphic designs, or any student work that students create. 
• Publicize the project by providing the link to the showcase board on teacher webpages, blogs or email out to parents. 
• Think of this as a way to connect your classroom globally. 

Gathering Opinions

• Use a Pinterest board to gather opinions on class topics by gathering how many likes are recorded on each opinion. 
• This option allows students to "like" items that are more of their preference.  
• Secondary Uses: new book choice for book clubs, six/nine weeks evaluation of content, research choices, world events to cover, etc.

Collaboration

• Create a board with the intent of adding collaborators to the board so they can add content to the board.
• Content added can be website, pictures and each addition can have a brief description added to it.
• All Levels: Research-create boards for students to add content, Math-pictures of shapes, English-collection of class books read, Library-book club choices, etc.

Current Events

• Create a Current Events board and pin current events to your each day. At the end year you will have a collection of what current events you studied each day.
• If you feel courageous, invite students to your board once a week to pin their suggestion of what current event should be covered in class. 

Resources:
5 Surprising Uses For Pinterest You Haven’t Thought Of Before by Joel Lee
3 Creative Ways Teachers Can Use Pinterest by Classroom Jr.
Sixteen Ways Educators Use Pinterest