Snapchat in the Classroom

When it comes to technology, I tend to become overwhelmed easily with new concepts and ideas. But with time, practice, research online, and collaboration with co-workers and my husband, I tend to become more comfortable and more likely to use it.

To be honest, I was not thrilled seeing that Snapchat was part of an assignment. I’ve seen how young adults have used it in the past and didn’t want to even attempt with it.  Also, I am that parent. I am cautious of what my boys are exposed to and what technology they interact with. Yes, this momma does look over their shoulder or sit with them.

 My Experience

At first, I became frustrated in trying to figure out what to do. I did use the resources that were provided to help out and I did find that they were extremely useful. But just trying to figure it out for myself became irritating. 

I understand how Snapchat works with snapping and sending pictures and vidoes. I enjoyed playing around with it, but didn't really have anyone within my bubble who used it and try it out on. Those who I thought would enjoy this removed themselves from social media, refuse to have social media, or are not available.

My boys did enjoy it though. They were really into the different faces and seeing themselves in pictures and videos. It became a battle of who had the phone and I had to quickly intervene the settle them. Overall though, we had way too much fun taking snaps. It was a pretty funny watching the boys get so into the app and hearing their laughs was completely worth it.

Snapchat & the Classroom

As I started to look online, I started to ask myself questions. How will this benefit my students? My ELL’s and SpEd babies? How can I utilize this app and have my student us it appropriately and keep them engaged with it? What can I use the app for? What types of projects?  I also had to consider the pros and cons of allowing Snapchat to be apart of my classroom. Is it the right move or not? Are my students mature enough to use such technology?

There are many ideas and lessons that Snapchat can be used to enhance students academics. It can be used to provide an instant assessment besides asking the student a question and wanting a verbal response. It can allow them to become more creative and engaged in their responses. As I considered what I could use Snapchat for, more and more ideas came to mind.

While researching how I could use this app, I found a few things that I could test out and begin with this school year. One thing I thought I could try is a scavenger hunt. I could provide a list of items, locations on campus, teachers and administration, and peer to find and complete specific task. They can do this by taking snaps and sending it to me instead of handing in a piece of paper.  I could also use Snapchat and have students send me a brief video about them to help me get to know them better.

When researching or asked to complete a task, students can snap the process to show me they are engaged and collaborating with one another if in groups. As we research colleges at the end of the school year, students can take snaps or videos of them attending a college event, visiting the college, or anything else that applies to their project. Same thing when we research professional careers that the students want to look into.

At the beginning of every school year, we start with the review of the plot diagram. When asking to identify the plot of a story, analyze a character, or even argue a stance, students can do so with a short video.

Students could even communicate with others through Snapchat to help each other when confused or even reach out to their peer at other campuses. When reaching out to others off campus, students can seek what is happening or request opinions about a specific topic or events currently happening.

With my ELL’s and SpEd students, during intervention, they could practice using their vocabulary instead of the usual Frayer model handout.

I try to allow for my students to share anything that happened to them that weekend or break by telling the class. Sometimes they are shy and do not want to speak out in front of the classroom, but by sending me a Snapchat, I can still see what my students are doing and not call them out in front of everyone.

With the positive, also comes the negative. Our students are not supposed to use their phones in class and we teachers often have an issue with the phone disrupting the class discussion or lesson. One worry that I am concerned about is the students misusing the app and spreading gossip or behaving inappropriately.  I feel that allowing Snapchat in the classroom, students will be to busy taking pictures, alternating their image to look pretty, or taking pictures of others who are not wanting to participate or engage. Bullying is my worst fear when allowing social media into the classroom. I fear that those one or two students will ruin it for everyone and cause the classes to not be able to use such a source in their academics.

Just like any other new strategy or involvement with technology, active monitoring is vital for a successful lesson or discussion. By being active and monitoring my students, I will have a better idea of what is happening, engaged and involved with my students.

I want to encourage social media in the classroom and on campus. By laying the foundations and rules of such use, students can enhance their academics and social skills with social media. They will be able to create instant documentation and can have fun while doing it. I believe by using Snapchat, it will help students develop their responses or actions accordingly and cause them to think about it before posting it, something few of them think about today. This can teach our students internet etiquette and show them how to use such technology appropriately and how it can enhance their academics for the future.