Amazon teacher wishlist is the topic of our blog post today!
You’ve probably used Amazon for anything from books to tech gadgets, but have you ever considered it as a lifeline for your teaching needs? I sure have. As someone who’s both taught in the classroom for over 15 years and currently steeped in educational research, I understand the persistent challenge of procuring classroom supplies.
With cutbacks in funding and an endless list of resources we wish we could provide for our students, the question arises: how can we bridge this gap? Enter the Amazon Teacher Wishlist, an ingenious tool that’s more than just a shopping list—it’s a catalyst for community involvement, a strategic planning aid, and yes, sometimes even a wish-granting genie. Stick around as we delve into the how-tos, the whys, and the must-know tips for maximizing this underrated feature. Let’s make that classroom wish list come to life, shall we?
What is an Amazon Teacher Wishlist?
In essence, an Amazon Wishlist is a feature provided by Amazon that allows you to create various lists of items that you’d like to purchase in the future or that you’d like others to purchase for you. It’s sort of like a shopping list, but it exists online and has some nifty features that take it several steps beyond a traditional list scribbled on a piece of paper.
What’s super useful about this feature is the flexibility it offers. You can add comments to each item, set priorities (like high, medium, or low), and even indicate the quantity you need. This function is particularly beneficial for teachers who might want to share a bit of context about each item’s utility in the classroom. “These sketchbooks will be used for our unit on Renaissance art,” for example.
Why Create an Amazon Teacher Wishlist?
I get it; classroom resources can sometimes feel like they’re in perpetual shortage. Whether it’s markers, notebooks, or educational games, a teacher’s list of needed items seems to never end. I’ve spent my fair share of years in the classroom, and I know the challenge of having limited resources. That’s where the Amazon Teacher Wishlist comes in super handy. Not only does it help you keep tabs on what you need, but it also opens the door for others to contribute to your educational environment.\
How to create an Amazon teacher wishlist?
Creating an Amazon Wishlist is a straightforward process. Here is how to do it:
- Go to Account & Listsand select Your Lists.
- Select Create a List and insert a list name.
- Select Create List.
- Select the three dots menu, and Manage List to update your shipping address and other preferences.
- Select Save Changes.You can repeat this process to create an unlimited amount of lists.
Watch this video tutorial I created to learn more about how to set up an Amazon teacher wishlist:
How to Personalize Your List
Now, Amazon makes creating a wishlist pretty straightforward, as outlined above. But the real charm comes from personalizing your list. Add comments to each item to explain why it’s essential in your classroom. For example, “These colored markers will be used in our art corner for the ‘Artists of the Month’ projects.” It adds a layer of context that makes it relatable and urgent.
Navigating Privacy and Sharing Settings
You might want to keep some items or lists private, perhaps because they’re part of a yet-to-be-revealed curriculum idea or simply for classroom decor. And that’s totally fine! Just set the list to ‘Private’ until you’re ready to share it. However, for items you hope to have sponsored or gifted, set the list to ‘Shared.’ This makes it viewable and editable by those you invite.
If you choose to make your list public or shared, others can purchase items directly from it. Once an item is bought, it gets marked as purchased so there won’t be duplicate gifts.
Given that you can share these lists, they’ve become particularly popular among educators (I’ve used them myself!) as a way to crowdsource classroom supplies. Parents or other stakeholders who wish to contribute can simply access the list and purchase needed items. This can be a significant aid in classrooms where resources are limited.
The Versatility of Idea Lists
I particularly enjoy the Idea Lists feature. It’s a versatile list that can work like a Pinterest board, where you pin ideas that you’d like to experiment with but aren’t necessarily committed to just yet. Sometimes, I use this space for books or technology tools I’m exploring but haven’t had the chance to fully review for my Educators Technology blog. It’s an ideal space for inspiration.
Bottom Line
Creating and managing an Amazon Teacher Wishlist is more than just a virtual shopping cart. It’s a strategic tool that can enhance the educational experience for both teachers and students. Do I think it’s a substitute for systemic educational funding? Absolutely not. But it can be a valuable bridge to fill gaps while we advocate for more comprehensive solutions.
So there you go! Set up your Amazon Teacher Wishlist, curate it thoughtfully, and don’t shy away from sharing it with your community. After all, it takes a village to educate a child.
