One way of developing interest in science is through funny or thought-provoking cartoons. Ignore the copyright issue for a moment. Pinterest could be used to assemble a collection of science cartoons. There certainly are enough such cartoons out there. Many are editorial in nature, but often they appear in magazines such as the New Yorker. Think of Sidney Harris, who has published such books as "There Goes the Neighborhood: Cartoons on the Environment", and "Einstein Simplified: Cartoons on Science".
Here is another use of cartoons, which could be tied to Pinterest: Have students create their own science cartoons. They could illustrate a concept, editorialize about a science-related political issue, etc. Then collect the cartoons and put them on Pinterest.
One useful way to approach the use of science cartoons is to develop a short unit on existing science cartoons, teaching kids about the various kinds of cartoons (there are whole categories of gags to motivate cartoons), and then let them make their own. Students can do this individually or in groups, and criteria can easily be developed for illustrative and editorial cartoons using science.
This also can be a useful end of the semester or end of year activity that can be done to productively use what might otherwise be dead instructional time. (Think week before Christmas, or last week of the school year. Or do it both times.)
That is a really good idea! In a way, I believe you may actually be combing aspects of our GoAnimate lesson together with Pinterest use! Good job!
ReplyDeletePinterest would definitely be a good way to make a database of student and teacher-made animations and videos. If you create a board, you have the option of allowing anyone to pin to it. Of course, you'd have to be sure to police it constantly, as students would probably be able to pin anything from the internet onto it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creative use of Pinterest! I think often we discount the impact of cartoons as serious conveyors of knowledge. In my early career of teaching, I used Gary Larson's The Far Side as a conversation starter to the science concept we were studying.
ReplyDeleteGary Larson indeed has numerous cartoons that make great conversation starters. Calvin and Hobbs has some great ones too.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Brown and Lucy were always good for Newton's Laws, force, and momentum. Remember she would always snatch away the football just when he was about to kick it?
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I love these ideas.....great ways to engage our students!
ReplyDeleteThese are really great ideas! I still have teachers in college that use cartoons at the beginning of class and as "breaks" in the lecture. Using them online via Pintrest would be a very cool new application of them!
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