snapchat lessons

How to use Snapchat for classroom learning success


How social media-savvy educators are finding ways to make learning fun for their students by incorporating Snapchat into lessons.

Snapchat is turning into more than just an amusing app that lets people send pictures and videos, only to disappear after a few seconds. Many educators are finding ways to make learning fun for their students by incorporating Snapchat into their lessons.

In “Snapchat: Creating an Engaging Learning Experience,” Shannon Holden, assistant principal, Republic Middle School, MO, reviewed why educators should consider bringing the app into their classrooms, and provided specific ideas on how to integrate the app into lessons.

Benefits of Snapchat in Lessons

As the most common social media platform for people ages 12-24, there is a strong chance most middle or high school students are already using Snapchat. The app has many benefits, and is a great opportunity for educators to take learning outside of the classroom.

With the story and loop features, teachers can spread out content and take advantage of repetition—two effective ways to learn new material.

Teachers can also use the app to post pictures and short videos to help summarize the material learned in class that day. If your school does not allow your classroom account to “follow” students, it can be used for one-way communication; your students can “follow” you and still see all of the content.

Educators can also offer students real examples of a subject, like math or science, being used in everyday life. The story feature offers a unique way to demonstrate different timelines, like moon phases or historical events.

In addition to a teaching tool for during or after class, teachers can also use Snapchat to prepare students before class by posting a discussion question at the beginning of the day, or even using it as an efficient way to send announcements on things like materials needed for class, or the schedule for the following day.

(Next page: Being aware of drawbacks to success)

Steer Clear of Drawbacks for Success

Although Snapchat can be a powerful and unique classroom tool, there are a few drawbacks.

Some administrators may be hesitant to allow the app as a teaching tool, due to the negative stigma of social media.

Also, the minimum age for the app is 13, so this should only be used with older middle school and high school students.

To help ensure responsible use of the app, Holden recommended creating a classroom policy. The students are likely to follow the rules because they will be excited to use Snapchat for school. He also added, “I would not make it mandatory to ‘follow’ my classroom account, but what I would do is give (the students) so much value that they would feel like they’re missing out on something by not following your Snapchat account.”

About the Presenter

Shannon Holden has been a high school and middle school teacher and administrator in Texas and Missouri for 20 years.  Shannon built a website to help reduce the 50% five-year attrition rate for new teachers in the educational profession. Shannon speaks to college students, teachers, and administrators across the Midwest about classroom management, maintaining positive relationships with parents, instructional strategies that engage students, and implementing technology in the classroom. He is the host of the New Teacher Help and TechTools for the Classroom communities on edWeb.net. Follow him on Twitter @newteacherhelp.

Join the Community

TechTools is a free professional learning community where educators can discover new resources, free technology, and great ideas for integrating technology into the classroom to engage and inspire students.

This broadcast was hosted by edWeb.net.

The recording of the edWebinar can be viewed by anyone here.

[Editor’s note: This piece is original content produced by edWeb.net. View more edWeb.net events here.]

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