July 23, 2013

The Pitfalls of Pinterest


Don't get me wrong...I LOVE PINTEREST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
 (So Pinterest...if you are reading this, please know I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! )  Pinterest is an amazing tool.  I think that it has truly revolutionized the art education world!  

HOWEVER

I've seen, talked to, e-mailed with teachers that are finding amazing "projects" on Pinterest that they  "JUST HAVE TO DO!"  The projects are truly wonderful...and have amazing worth.  However, doing amazing projects for the wow factor...and neglecting the need for scope & sequence can be a disservice to your students.  We need to hold their interest, but also need to build on necessary skill development.  If your district has a set curriculum, then you are inclined to find lessons that fit within your curriculum.  If your district does not have a set curriculum....you need to define where you are & where you are going with your lessons.  Too much dessert does not give you the nutrition you need to grow strong & stay healthy.   Just like too many WOW/ Eye Candy lessons do not give your students the foundations they need to build their artistic skills.  

PLEASE...KEEP USING PINTEREST!!!!!!  
Many of you have found me because of Pinterest!!!!!! Just be wise in how you use the lessons you find so that your students get the best art education they can!!!!  



11 comments:

  1. I love your blog but I probably haven't commented before. (My kids' school doesn't have art class due to budget cuts several years ago, so I subscribe to several art blogs to help me with inspiration for art we can do at home.) But I just wanted to say I agree with your post. As an art "homeschooler" if you will, I've occasionally done a project with my kids that was all "wow" and no skill-building. We ended up with cool finished products and yet it hardly seemed worth it. Very disappointing. (This is also true for some of my other Pinterest finds recently--example: some recipes that should have been "wow" ...that tasted terrible!

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  2. I am from the school of thought that there is more than one path that leads to the same destination. Perhaps you aren't giving other art educators enough credit for knowing how to impart to their students the elements and principles of art or whatever their particular curriculum goal might be.
    I mean no disrespect and have the highest regard for you and other art teachers that are teaching to hundreds of students. Just my 2 cents. :)

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    1. Mary, thanks for your thoughts....I don't mind a differing opinion one bit!! :) I know I'm not always right. ha ha (I have a wife...she reminds me of this often!! ha ha) I know there are teachers that do a bang up job and do it totally different then me. I'm just always of the mindset...Those who fail to plan...plan to fail. I believe in scope & sequencing...kind of a curriculum guy. Thanks for your thoughts though...and for pointing out there are those that do it differently that are getting the job done!!!! :)

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  3. I hear you Mr. E! Your students are fortunate to have you as their art teacher.

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  4. I love Pinterest but I hear what you're saying! Say, I remember you asked on your facebook about being contacted by Pinterest for educational research. Did you join them?

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  5. You know like actually teaching primary and secondary colors to children by the time they have finished kindergarten and second grade......yes projects need to fit into elements of art, however I do not think I have ever seen an elementary art project that in some way could not wrap around some of those elements even if the original plan does not use them. Not sure how many conversations I have had with my children (stay at home mom who has an art degree, no longer certified) about elements of art and a project that they brought home with no discussion of that in the classroom.

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    1. Victoria, that is exactly what I'm saying....the projects have great worth, but are they done for the wow....or is the teacher being purposeful about placing them into their curriculum for skill building...vocabulary..etc.

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  6. You are dreamy Mr. E.
    I hear you loud and clear.

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  7. I hear and understand what both you, Ted, and Mary are saying. I did try a couple of the "Wow" factor projects last year and they turned out great and were well received by all. I don't think that I would ever teach an art project to my students that didn't have a strong, educational foundation that included the elements and principles of art. What I have discovered about Pinterest is that I couldn't possibly use 1% of what I have pinned before I retire in 3 years! It's kind of like the Sears or Penny's catalog when you were a kid-dreaming about what you wanted for Christmas! Just a great big old wish list!

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    1. HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!! I love the Penny's catalog comparison!!! SO TRUE! :) You can't retire...just sayin'!

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