INSTAGRAM IN THE CLASSROOM
What?
In our class we got the chance to explore how to use one of the most popular social media apps out there in our classroom, Instagram. We were taught how to use Instagram as a tool for discovery when teaching concepts in class. We first tested our photography skills through different tasks. The first was to take a picture using a squirrels view of lenses. Next, we have to take a picture and play around with enhancement features such as contrasting, details, and color. An app I found fascinating for enhancing pictures was Snapseed. We also had a challenge which involved focusing in on light in a picture to cast a silhouette shadow on an object. Dr. Penny also taught us how to create scavenger hunts in the classroom using Instagram, as shown to the right.
So What?
ISTE NETS*T Standard 2.b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to persue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
By allowing students to explore ways to learn using a common and very popular form of social media, there is no stopping what students will be able to do. Every student basically has a phone in today's world, and, about 90% if not more have or know of Instagram. Not only will Instagram get the students excited to participate in assignments, they all are very well equipped with how to use the app. Students can take charge and ownership in their learning and can get creative with adventures they take on their scavenger hunts.
Now What?
Instagram excited me to use on an assignment, so I can only imagine how involved and intrigued my students would be to use it. I have contemplated the thoughts of using social media in my classroom for privacy rights and also using this as an educational tool only. I do like the idea of having parents see daily what is going on in class. This could be hard for students who do not have I phones to use Instagram. I am going to try a scavenger hung when we get to our Geometry unit in math and see how it works out!
