Beyond Cute: Examining the Quality of Pinterest as a Resource for Science Teachers

• In Event: Curriculum as a Means of Improving Teaching

Abstract

Teachers use Pinterest as a resource for instructional ideas and lessons. Yet, little is known about the quality of the curriculum resources teachers are accessing on Pinterest. This study examined pins related to forces/motion and adaptations, their linked websites, and the author quality of those pins and websites. We found that many pins did not contain any explicit content and the quality of the content on the linked websites was limited. However, if a pin did contain content, it was correlated with a higher quality website. It also found that linked websites were primarily blogs or Teachers Pay Teachers, with authors who rarely claimed any science expertise. Implications are for teachers, teacher educators, professional organizations, and the Pinterest community.

Authors

• Shannon Lynne Navy, Kent State University

• Ryan Nixon, Brigham Young University