Diigo and Pintrest are two interesting sites that offer a broad range of possibilities within the educational context. The main similarity (and perk) of both is that they were not meant for an educational context, at least to my knowledge, but rather for a creative context. Thus, an inventive teacher (or anyone wishing to convey a information) can use either site a structured platform to build their message. The main difference between the two is that they present information in a much different way, thus it is up to the teacher (in our educational context) to use it for appropriate subjects and/or the appropriate group of students.
Pintrest
The most interesting thing, however, I think is that Diigo and Pintrest can be used to supplement each other. For example, a prepared gallery on Pintrest can be used to introduce a new topic to the class, after which the teacher can give out a Diigo link to a library (as a user's public list is called) or to a separate specially prepared list with further and/or follow up information. Both sites also offer networking within each site and the ability to post links to other internet locations, such as the "me elsewhere" option or Diigo and website and user information on Pintrest.
The trick here is that to view any content in depth on either site, the viewer must have a user account and setting this up for a whole class may prove cumbersome if the students are new to either Diigo or Pintrest. Yet, within the context of a class curriculum that takes place on online, or makes heavy use of internet-based resources, it is not impossible to see this set up take place as part of an orientation day early in the semester. Presumably this will be the very first class meeting or, in the case of an online course, the first thing on the students' syllabus which they will have received via email. Even in the first case, the importance and prevalence of computer use in the classroom can be announced ahead of time to get the class ready to roll.
Diigo
- "cyber library"
- links to articles/sites
- good for compiling references
- can be used to make a bibliography
- book worm heaven
Pintrest
- "cyber gallery"
- images with possible links
- good for compiling images
- can be used to introduce a topic
- visual learner heaven
The most interesting thing, however, I think is that Diigo and Pintrest can be used to supplement each other. For example, a prepared gallery on Pintrest can be used to introduce a new topic to the class, after which the teacher can give out a Diigo link to a library (as a user's public list is called) or to a separate specially prepared list with further and/or follow up information. Both sites also offer networking within each site and the ability to post links to other internet locations, such as the "me elsewhere" option or Diigo and website and user information on Pintrest.
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| BOOM! The Information Big Bang. |
The trick here is that to view any content in depth on either site, the viewer must have a user account and setting this up for a whole class may prove cumbersome if the students are new to either Diigo or Pintrest. Yet, within the context of a class curriculum that takes place on online, or makes heavy use of internet-based resources, it is not impossible to see this set up take place as part of an orientation day early in the semester. Presumably this will be the very first class meeting or, in the case of an online course, the first thing on the students' syllabus which they will have received via email. Even in the first case, the importance and prevalence of computer use in the classroom can be announced ahead of time to get the class ready to roll.
Your idea of using the two sites to complement each other is intriguing. That might work well and be a good teaching strategy. Personally I find I use DIIGO all the time to save links that I might use in the future and rarely access Pinterest. However, when I do look at it and see what the people I follow have posted, I wonder why I don't check it more often!
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