This document discusses using Instagram in the classroom. It provides information on visual literacy, digital citizenship, digital footprints, photojournalism, popular photo sharing apps, and what Instagram is. It also discusses the SAMR model for technology integration and provides tips for using Instagram successfully, safely, and ideas for how different subject areas can utilize Instagram for educational purposes. Example uses include documenting field trips, sharing student work, facilitating research with hashtags, and more.

1. A picture is worth more than
a thousand words:
Using Instagram in the classroom

2. Visual literacy
• People are drawn to humanized learning
• Visual storytelling
• Make meaning from information presented in the form of an image
• Ability to read, write and create visual images
• Science as art

3. Digital citizenship
• Elements of digital citizenship
• Access
• Commerce
• Communication
• Literacy
• Etiquette
• Law
• Rights and responsibilities
• Health
• Security

4. Digital footprint
• Trail of data you create while using the Internet
• The Internet is forever
• Passive (visit websites, search histories)
• Active (emails, blogs, social media, social networking,

5. What is photo journalism?
• Collecting, editing and presenting news
• Employs images to tell the story
• Narrative
• Rigid ethical framework
• Help communities connect

6. Using photo apps in the classroom
• There are many apps
App Operating system Website
Instagram Android, IOS, Free https://www.instagram.com/
Snapchat Android, IOS, Free https://www.snapchat.com/
Flickr Android, IOS, Free https://www.flickr.com/
Photobucket Android, IOS, Free http://s5.photobucket.com/
Shutterfly Android, IOS, Free https://www.shutterfly.com/
Google+ Android, IOS, Free https://plus.google.com/

7. What is Instagram?
• Developed by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger in 2010, Instagram is a
free mobile app and an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing,
and social networking service that enables its users to take pictures
and videos, and share them either publicly or privately on the app, as
well as through a variety of other social networking platforms, such as
Facebook and Twitter.
• Users must be 13 years or older

8. SAMR model
• Substitution
• Augmentation
• Modification
• Redefinition

9. Tips for using Instagram successfully
• Hastags
• Visually appealing photos – angles – things people don’t normally see
• Caption properly using the 5 W’s (where, why, what, when, how)
• Share frequently

10. Using Instagram in the classroom
• Research – using hastags
• Assignments – visual literacy
• Creating communities – class Instagram page

11. Tips for being safe
• Social media policy
• School’s technology policy
• School’s media release policy
• Content rules
• Context rules
• Permission forms
• Instagram contract with students
• Invite parents to follow pages

12. Instagram in the classroom

13. • Class account
• Documenting school functions
• Field trips
• Student of the week
• Examples of students work
• School pride
• Tip of the week
• Theme of the week

14. Languages
• Take a photo of your favourite book – recommendations
• Visual flashcards to learn vocabulary
• 20 word story based on a picture
• Chain stories (in the comment feed)
• Poetry based on a picture
• Writing prompts

15. Biology/Science
• Collage of plants growing over time
• Phases of germination
• #MondayMandela – nature collages
• Record steps in a science experiment

16. Art
• e-portfolio
• Recreate famous works of art
• Photo-gallery of the different stages of art production

17. History/Geography (Social Science)
• Historical buildings
• Historical figures
• Local locations linked to historical events
• #whatwouldMandelasay
• Patterns in nature
• Interesting geological features

18. Maths
• Step by step problem solving
• Fibonacci’s sequence
• Pi