Pinterest as an educational and professional tool: an analysis of sport management students’ perceptions

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Published: 2026-04-01

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Elena Hierro-Ciller
Universitat de València
Spain
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2233-1058
Cristian Gregori-Faus
Universitat de València
Spain
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0295-2366
Pablo Jiménez-Jiménez
Universitat de València
Spain
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9262-5291
Fernando García-Pascual
Universitat de València
Spain
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2996-0166
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2026), Original papers, pages 1-19

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17979/sportis.2026.12.2.12929
Submitted: 2025-12-19 Published: 2026-04-01
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Abstract

Currently, higher education faces the challenge of adapting its methodologies to labor market demands, with the use of social media gaining relevance to foster student participation and the development of digital skills. This study analyzes the perceptions of 75 Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (CAFyD) students regarding the potential of Pinterest as a teaching-learning, professional development, and sports industry interaction tool, after experiencing an activity with this platform in the "Sports Facilities and Equipment" course during the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Methodologically, a longitudinal quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest measurements was applied, using the SMEPT-SPS questionnaire supplemented by three independent and specific assessment questions on the technical competence and utility of the tool. The results reveal statistically significant improvements and moderate effect sizes in educational (p < ,001; d= ,72) and professional (p = ,01; d = ,65) perceptions, highlighting the increase in students' technical competence (d = 1.66), whose mean score increased notably from 5.57 to 7.47 points. Overall, the findings show that a planned pedagogical integration of social media in CAFyD university education can be positive for student learning, connecting the classroom with the sports industry.

Keywords:

Pinterest, social media, higher education, sport management, employability

Funding source:

This work was funded by the project: “The use of digital resources in the classroom. Exploring sports facilities and equipment through Pinterest” (project code: UV-SFPIE_PID-3327303), selected in the call for grants for the development of educational innovation projects, organized by the Vice-Rectorate for Employment and Training Programs of the University of Valencia.

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