Tech Tools: Instagram in the Classroom
Written by Debbie Harris, Tech Tools brings you excellent technology tips to inspire you and add creativity to your teaching.

The Technology

Instagram is arguably the most popular social media platform for kids right now. According to my junior high students, it has most definitely surpassed Facebook and Twitter. There’s something about scrolling through vivid photos that has real appeal to them.

You can have your students use Instagram, but without the actual social media and its accompanying privacy issues, with this free PowerPoint template that mimics Instagram that you can bring to your classroom.  

Just download it,  open it in PowerPoint, and use for creative class activities. On the first slide you can insert an image, choose a name and add a caption. Subsequent slides are great for comments. (Remember: Be sure to include# hashtags!)

In Your Classroom

Try the following prompts:

• If Esther and Mordechai had an Instagram, what would they post? What about Haman?

• How would you Instagram the Exodus (#LeavingEgypt)?

• Pick a moment in Jewish history and design your own post for it.

• Look around your school and synagogue…what do you see that is most interesting, that would make a good Instagram post?  

Debbie Harris is the Director of Educational Technology at Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago and blogs at http://www.museforjews.com. Reach her at deb@debharris.com

 

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