According to ABC News, Pinterest is currently among the top social websites that are highly utilized in the classroom. To cope up with the increasing demand, the creators of the social page announced last month their ‘Teachers in Pinterest’ campaign, a page where teachers can collaborate together about tips and lesson plans.
The app version of the website is also critically acclaimed by many websites such as CNET.com. In fact, Verizon Wireless provided an almost 5-star rating for the application based on data usage, security, and battery usage. Read more about it at www.verizonwireless.com.
To educators who are new to this pinning trend, leveraging this bookmarking platform might be a little difficult in the beginning. Here are some of the things you can do on Pinterest as educators to fully take advantage of this visual and copyright-free medium.
Compilation
Thousands of links and material are available online for teachers. By pinning them on a board, a user compiles a cloud of customized information that is easy on the eyes. The ability to save searches means that teachers can endlessly gather information for later use.
Teachers can maximize the video embedded option on educational boards. To do this, just click the recognizable ‘P’ logo or the ‘pin it’ button on the video you want to include in the board. Alternatively, click the ‘Add’ section for the same function.
Organization
Teachers can create boards for each subject, making a lot of tasks easier such as classifying reference materials or relevant blogs. There are comment sections also available for each post so users can easily recall the purpose of the posted link. The layout of each board is presented in such a way that it’s uncluttered and easy to navigate. Students will have no trouble in searching for the required material for the week if Pinterest is used for weekly reading requirements.
Additionally, teachers can create a board filled with books and online journals to aid students in citing and referencing in their papers.
Collaboration
Ultimately, Pinterest works like any other user-generated content site – it’s driven by a community. Educators can easily connect with others in the profession to gather new techniques, materials, and ideas. Teachers can also post your plans for their respective classes and others can freely comment and give constructive criticism and feedback.
One of the best things to do as a teacher is to use Pinterest to engage their students online. There seems to be a thin barrier between teachers and students when on a virtual setup, so taking advantage of this is a good idea.
Also, boosting morale through promotion of student works is a great way to use Pinterest in rewarding great performance.
In the age where the whiteboards and paper are being replaced by online forums and tablets, Pinterest grants the teachers a space to successfully bridge the gap between virtual and real. A great supplement to traditional teaching, these social pages are the most useful new innovations that educators must take advantage of. Have you been using Pinterest? Tell us more about it in the comments section.
Written by Reese Jones, an awesome IOS and android fan who loves phones and print media. She also writes the most recent tech ed news at Techiedoodlers.com. She is also a keen footballer and she also maintains a passion for architecture.
If you enjoyed this post, you may want to subscribe for FREE to receive regular updates!
**Image courtesy of pinterest.com via Mithya Srinivasan
