Social Bookmarking

Pinterest
Well, where do I start with this one?!  Raise your hand if you LOVE Pinterest!! This tool came into my life in 2011, right about the same time that I went on maternity leave with one of my little guys.  Yep, we bonded while pinning ideas of cute newborn photos, delicious home-cooked meals (‘cuz I was home and I had all the time in the world, you know), funny quotes, teacher outfits, home organization, classroom organization, garage organization, closet organization, organizational ways to organize…okay not really on the last one ….BUT seriously, I could go on. I might have been a tad addicted, please do not judge.  Best of all, I was introduced to AHHHMAZING teacher blogs and free resources for my classroom.  The Pinterest revolution took over my school as the hallways were filled with adorable art projects, themed classrooms, and I might even say teachers were walking with a spring in their step. Probably because they just had a delicious home-cooked meal after organizing their classroom all the while wearing the cutest pair of jeggings, boots, and sweater with matching scarf. You know what I’m talking about. 

Here are a few snapshots of my Pinterest boards for education...

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So, we know how to use Pinterest for our personal and professional life, but how can we use this tool with our students?  With my Kindergarten Kiddos, Pinterest would be a great way to organize websites depending on what we’re learning.  Each board would contain websites that would go along with a certain concept.  For example, a board titled ‘ABC’S’ might have different websites such as ABCYa and Starfall.  If my students were looking for websites for math, they would go to the ‘MATH’ board and choose Everyday Math Online.  Pinterest is free option for teachers and students to organize their learning using on online tool.

I've also used Symbaloo in a similar manner for my classroom.  I've created a 'webmix' of sites for my students.  It's simple to sign up for free and start creating and searching webmixes.  Below is an image of my Symbaloo board for my Kindergartners.  As I come across new websites, I can easily add a tile and let the collection grow.

ISTE-T
1a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
4b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources

ISTE-S
5a. Advocate safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
6b. Select and use applications effectively and productively

Sources

ISTE standards- students. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-students

ISTE standards- teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-teachers

Pinterest

Symbaloo