I personally enjoy Instagram because you can share something with just a picture and sometimes a picture is much more powerful than words. Colleges and Universities uses Instagram to ask questions, feed other social networks, and encourage participation during major events. The way they are using Instagram is not only applicable to Colleges and Universities. This way can be applied to so many different ways, especially middle and high school curriculum. Instagram is appealing to the users because for students "who are overloaded with social networks heavy on text, Instagram offers a visual alternative" (Lytle 2012). A school an benefit from the use of Instagram because they can share what is going on on their campus, in their classrooms and what their students and staff are accomplishing on a daily basis. They can also use Instagram to see how other schools are doing things and how they are using Instagram to develop new ideas.
Today’s students arrive on campus, fluent in social networking technologies. Educators can leverage this knowledge to enrich the learning experience. With Instagram, instructors can foster collaboration and discussion, create meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and boost student interaction. Instagram is an effective way to increase student engagement and build better communication skills. Students who rarely raise a hand in class may feel more comfortable expressing themselves through social media. Social networking platforms enable teachers to establish classrooms that foster discussion and surface ideas that students are too shy or intimidated to voice out loud. Social media can enhance communication among students and teachers. Educators can answer students’ questions via Instagram, post homework assignments, post updates, schedule or announce upcoming events, and share interesting content. A great way for instructors to give participation points in addition to in-class participation is by having students post images about something that was discussed in class or make connections with images of real world applications of what was discussed in class. There are limitless ways in which schools, educators, students and parents can use Instagram to enhance student learning.
Instagram and other social media (twitter, youtube, Facebook, etc.) are transforming instruction and engagement in the classroom. Education is constantly evolving and technology has opened doors to how we can evolve and make content more accessible and definitely increases the engagement of students as they are utilizing technology constantly. We are able to reach students on a platform that they understand and feel at ease using.
Today’s students arrive on campus, fluent in social networking technologies. Educators can leverage this knowledge to enrich the learning experience. With Instagram, instructors can foster collaboration and discussion, create meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and boost student interaction. Instagram is an effective way to increase student engagement and build better communication skills. Students who rarely raise a hand in class may feel more comfortable expressing themselves through social media. Social networking platforms enable teachers to establish classrooms that foster discussion and surface ideas that students are too shy or intimidated to voice out loud. Social media can enhance communication among students and teachers. Educators can answer students’ questions via Instagram, post homework assignments, post updates, schedule or announce upcoming events, and share interesting content. A great way for instructors to give participation points in addition to in-class participation is by having students post images about something that was discussed in class or make connections with images of real world applications of what was discussed in class. There are limitless ways in which schools, educators, students and parents can use Instagram to enhance student learning.
Instagram and other social media (twitter, youtube, Facebook, etc.) are transforming instruction and engagement in the classroom. Education is constantly evolving and technology has opened doors to how we can evolve and make content more accessible and definitely increases the engagement of students as they are utilizing technology constantly. We are able to reach students on a platform that they understand and feel at ease using.