On the topic of teaching with technology, I wrote this in 2007 (published in 2009):
As “digital natives” (Prensky, 2001) enter the classroom, instructors must engage these students and expand their burgeoning and often technologically nuanced skills. The incorporation of technologies into classroom instruction challenges students and instructors alike; but, this challenge is both a necessary and exciting one (Okojie & Olinzock, 2006). Instructors must initiate this challenge by designing activities which both complement course subject matter and engage students with a variety of media. (McArthur, 2009)
When I think about my classroom-based experiments with podcasting, Twitter, Facebook, and other tools, I have to remember that new technologies abound. So, I’m reinvesting in this entrepreneurial spirit and experimenting with Pinterest in the classroom.
If you have any tips for teaching with Pinterest, let me know. More to come this fall…
References:
- Composing Podcasts: Engaging ‘digital natives’ in the communication classroom (2009). Communication Teacher, 23 (1), 15-18.
- Okojie, M.C. & Olinzack, A. (2006). Developing a Positive Mind-set Toward the Use of Technology for Classroom Instruction. International Journal of Instructional Media, 33(1), pp. 33-41.
- Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5).
What about having Pinterest as an immersion strategy? I apologize-I’m not sure which subject you teach, but I think this could be beneficial in nearly every subject. Right now I’m getting a little envious of history teachers because they could say have a board for every unit – Civil War, Great Depression, etc.
I’m a high school English teacher. I would love to use this as an immersion strategy. Personal narratives, Science Fiction, Poetry, Grammar, Technical Writing. But what might be even more beneficial in my classroom would be a pinboard of assignments/published/proficient work. Examples/Celebrations. Hmm… now I have even more to think about for the fall!
If there are any English/Lang Arts ideas for pinterest out there, let me know!
Great ideas! We’re having a debate over topic-based boards with open contribution for all students or one class board for all students that is curated into multiple unit boards by the instructor.