Liane Elias of UNCG Libraries presented this workshop for our Tech Tool Thursdays on Nov 7 2013. As social media changes quickly it can be difficult to know what is a fad and what is worth learning and using. Pinterest, one of the newer social media tools, has been gaining in popularity and can be used as a powerful tool in visual learning. It allows you to create visual book, movie and resource lists that can engage students more fully than simple words. This session showcases the basics for using Pinterest as a planning and teaching tool.

1. In 30 minutes!
Liane Elias
leelias@uncg.edu
University Libraries
UNC-Greensboro
November 7, 2013

2. Quick Poll!
How familiar are you with Pinterest?
A. This is the first I’m hearing about it.
B. I have made an account and poked around a bit…
C. I am comfortable using Pinterest.
D. I am addicted!

3. Agenda
What is Pinterest?
How are people using Pinterest?
How can I use Pinterest in my organization/classroom/etc.?
Web Tour/first hand look at Pinterest
Best practices in using Pinterest
Questions?

4. What is Pinterest?

5. What is Pinterest?
Bookmarking functionality
+
Search and discovery
Social content sharing
Highly visual, highly customizable,
highly intuitive experience

6. Language of Pinterest
Pin (n., v.): a visual bookmark to content on the web or
content uploaded directly to site, process of creating these
Re-pin (n., v.): others’ pins, how you collect them
Board: a space to organize pins by any criteria you wish
Follow: similar to Facebook, follow tastemakers and others
you’re interested in to see their content
Unfollow: stop following other users, or stop following
particular boards on their page
Like: similar to Facebook, show interest w/out re-pinning
Feed: the central “landing page” of Pinterest where you will
see your pins and all others that you follow
Bookmarklet: a browser widget that lets you pull content
directly from the internet

7. Anatomy of a Pin
Image you
have pinned
Board you
pinned it to
Suggestions
Pin/repin
history

8. Using Pinterest
Irma Minerva (Jackson Library) shares:
New books, new DVDs, new music, topical and
holiday boards, archival and historical collections…
Others share:
Recipes, lesson plans, “bucket list” items, news
articles, video, home décor, vision boards, wedding
and event planning, travel photography, anything!...

9. Using Pinterest
Examples of Pinterest for education/learning:
-
Collaborative/group work
Writing exercises, literature study
Design boards, visual inspiration
Lesson plans and classroom activities
Political or current events
Discussion board
Images to spark discussion for research, etc.
Cultural and sociological awareness

10. Web Tour
Irma Minerva on Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/irmaminerva
Let’s take a look around!

11. Best Practices
Dos
Don’ts
Use pictures to convey ideas
Rely on text to present idea
Describe an image with
specific details & attribution
Change or erase a link path,
leave images unattributed
Cultivate a network of other
pinners who inform, inspire
Ignore the Terms of Service
Link Pinterest with other
social media profiles for
consistency and visibility

12. Questions?