Use of Pinterest to Promote Teacher-Student Relationships in a Higher Education Computer Information Systems Course

The teacher-student relationship (TSR) is important in educational environments, as enhancing TSR can increase levels of student engagement and success. This research describes a process to enhance TSR through implementing a structured teacher-student sharing interaction. The objective was to enhance the students' sense of instructor care and interest, leading to positive TSR. The interaction was facilitated using Pinterest, a web-based social media platform. Data were collected in two stages with results indicating that TSR was enhanced through the exercise. The results have implications for instructors because using Pinterest is a relatively simple way to connect with students to enhance TSR.