Pinterest in the Classroom

Many people associate Pinterest as something housewives may use in their pastime to inspire decorating or cooking ideas. Originally, Pinterest was designed as a digital scrapbook website. Boards can be created, named, and organized by subjects. Suggestions appear as pin feeds of the subjects which were previously selected. The algorithm gods follow your every move as you fill up your board with things you fancy pinning. All that is required of you is to sign up, name your account, search, and start pinning as you name your boards. Why would one need such a frivolous tool? It appears to be such a waste of precious time. Admittedly, prior to teaching, this may have been a thought of mine.

When I started teaching a Visual Communications and Design Class a few years ago, I needed examples of the projects for my class. Pinterest became the easiest tool for me to be able to provide a diverse sources of inspiration for my class. It affords the luxury of making art boards of digital examples, which I could then display for my classes to view. Even more convenient, I could paste my boards for each project we would be working on as hyperlinked examples in my online classroom. I encouraged my students to sign up for an account, so they could create their own artistic picture morgue, for sources of inspiration and creativity.

Once one starts pinning, it becomes difficult to ignore the vast array of educational tools available at the click of a mouse pad. From curriculum ideas to book suggestions, there are a plethora of resources all educators can use for any content area. Check out my P-12 design boards or, better yet, sign up and give pinning a try.