Making the most of your students’ favorite app

Instagram is among the most popular social media platforms available.  In an effort to compete with “Snapchat Stories,” Instagram released a presentation feature bearing the not-so-unique name, “Instagram Stories” on August 2. Reports imply that Instagram Stories is a direct duplicate of Snapchat Stories and comes fully equipped with some additional user-friendly upgrades. With these upgrades in place, teachers and students may benefit from using Instagram Stories in the classroom!

Suppose an ELA teacher assigns a creative writing project in which students must display key components of a story, such as setting, symbolism, rising action, climax, and resolution in a slideshow. Each picture, accentuated by student text, can depict a specific event within the story. Instagram Stories can also work well within the science lab if students want to demonstrate how materials used in an experiment change over elapsed time. When exploring the events of World War II, history teachers may advise students to create a timeline using Instagram Stories.  Teachers and students now have another way to be creative with content!

Things to keep in mind when using Instagram Stories…

• In order to access this new feature, the updated version of Instagram must first be installed.
• Stories are available for only 24 hours.  If teachers plan on having groups present their work, student presentations should occur during the following class. However, teachers also have the option of instructing students to summarize their story in a picture; photos within the presentation can be saved prior to or after a story is published.
• Users will encounter some similarities to commonly used presentation platforms like PowerPoint, Prezi, or Google Slides.  Similarities include the ability to control how long each picture (slide) is displayed for and the ability to add text, drawings, and other components to their pictures to make “slides.”
• To incorporate collaboration, teachers may instruct students to send messages to presenters as a means to provide feedback or engage in peer editing.
• Before implementing social media components into your lessons, be sure that students’ privacy and safety will be preserved.  Also, communicate with your administrators to learn more about your school’s policy on digital citizenship.

For more information about Instagram Stories and ideas for using Instagram Stories in the classroom, check out these resources:

• Integration of Education: Using Social Media Networks to Engage Students
• Everyone Says Instagram Stories Copied Snapchat
• Snapchat as a Tool for Teachers
• How to Use Instagram Stories
• Instagram Stories Tips
• Ten Ways to Use Instagram in Your Classroom