Students are using social media more and more frequently, and it plays a significant role in their everyday life. Particularly in recent years, Snapchat has experienced significant development and is currently one of the most widely used social media platforms. It is the perfect tool for instructors to use to engage their pupils and foster teamwork, creativity, and communication. The history of Snapchat, the advantages of utilizing it in the classroom, creative methods to utilize it, best practices for using Snapchat in education, obstacles, and Snapchat’s limits will all be covered in this essay.
Definition of Snapchat
Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown developed Snapchat, a multimedia messaging software, in 2011. In addition to text messaging and video conversations, it also lets users to connect with one another by sending photographs and videos. Snapchat is distinctive in that all submitted information is instantly wiped after a certain amount of time, often 24 hours. Users don’t have to worry about their material being saved or shared without their consent because to this feature, which makes it a popular platform for content sharing.
Importance of Student Engagement in the Classroom
The importance of student engagement in an academic setting cannot be overstated. Student engagement is a crucial factor for successful classroom learning, as it is closely linked to student motivation and interest in the subject material. Students who are engaged in learning are more likely to be motivated to take part in class discussions, ask questions, and think critically; all of which can elevate the quality of classroom discourse. Moreover, when students participate in engaging activities, they show a greater capacity to retain information and reach superior learning outcomes. Offering students a qualitative academic service like Papers Owl (read a review written by Johannes Helmold) or personalized tutoring, is an effective way to increase student engagement. Doing so can help students stay focused and stay motivated, ultimately leading to enhanced learning experiences and success.
Purpose of the Paper
In this paper, we aim to delve into the fascinating realm of Snapchat and its potential as an instructional tool to boost student engagement in the classroom. Throughout the course of this investigation, we will delve into a myriad of topics, ranging from the advantageous features that Snapchat offers for education, to creative and unconventional methods that leverage the platform’s full potential within academic contexts. We will also examine the most effective strategies and techniques for integrating Snapchat into the classroom, while exploring some of the common obstacles and limitations that educators may face when using Snapchat as an
educational tool. By the end of this paper, readers will have a deep understanding of the intricate nuances of Snapchat’s utility in promoting student engagement and academic success.
Background
History of Snapchat
Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown founded Snapchat in 2011. The three were working on a project at Stanford University that gave rise to the concept for the app. They intended to develop an app that would enable enjoyable, original communication between users. When the app’s initial version was introduced in September 2011, teens and young adults took an immediate like to it.
Statistics on Snapchat Usage
With over 200 million daily active users, Snapchat has had a meteoric rise in popularity as a social media platform in recent years. Young people are especially drawn to the site, with a startling 97% of those between the ages of 13 and 24 regularly using it. In fact, according to recent research, 71% of Snapchat users use the app to remain in touch with pals, making it clear that Snapchat has largely replaced other communication channels as their preferred choice. Additionally, a significant 49% of all Snapchat users say they use the app to share content with their friends.
Previous Studies on Using Snapchat in Education
Numerous studies have been done on the use of Snapchat in the educational setting because it has garnered a great deal of interest. Among them, a 2017 research found that Snapchat has a lot of promise in the classroom, especially when it comes to increasing student engagement. To delve further deeper into this topic, a 2019 study discovered that Snapchat has a variety of uses in the context of education. This includes its capacity to support group learning, foster innovation and creativity, serve as a venue for informal learning, and improve communication skills. These findings demonstrate Snapchat’s versatility and imply that there may be unrealized potential for it in the field of education.
Benefits of Using Snapchat in Education
Increase in Student Engagement
Integrating Snapchat into the classroom can amplify student engagement to unprecedented levels. The highly ephemeral nature of Snapchat’s features can work wonders in captivating the attention of pupils and sustaining their involvement in the learning process. Moreover, Snapchat can embolden learners to join in class debates and query teachers without apprehension, as it can be perceived as a more congenial platform than the conventional classroom setup.
Facilitation of Collaborative Learning
Integrating Snapchat into the classroom can make for a truly engaging learning experience. By utilizing its highly ephemeral features, teachers can captivate their students’ attention and stimulate discussions within the classroom. Moreover, allowing students to communicate via Snapchat makes it easier for them to ask questions and engage in class debates without apprehension, as they feel more comfortable in this environment than the traditional classroom setting. With Snapchat, teachers also have an opportunity to introduce copywriting into their classes, enabling students to develop their writing skills and learn to express their ideas more effectively.
Promotion of Creativity and Innovation
The integration of Snapchat as an educational tool within the classroom setting can undoubtedly foster a culture of creativity and innovation among learners. This assertion stems from the fact that the app’s multifaceted features, which encompass an array of fun filters, captivating stickers, and intuitive drawing tools, have the potential to elicit the imaginative spark that resides within each student. Furthermore, by harnessing the full potential of Snapchat, students can conjure and manifest an abundance of thought-provoking ideas that transcend the confines of conventional wisdom. The possibility of generating their own dynamic content, including compelling videos, intricate stories, and intricate animations, can only serve to accentuate the boundless nature of their creative potential.
Provision of a Platform for Informal Learning
Snapchat, the multimedia messaging app that has taken the world by storm, offers an unconventional yet effective method for informal learning. By leveraging the app’s unique features, students can utilize the platform to engage in discussions related to the topics they are currently studying in class, thereby deepening their understanding and broadening their perspectives. With the freedom to ask questions in a more casual setting, students can feel more at ease and confident in their learning process. Not only that, but teachers can also utilize Snapchat’s functionalities to share a plethora of valuable resources and content with their students, including but not limited to articles, videos, and podcasts. The platform’s versatility offers a unique opportunity for both students and teachers to engage in a dynamic and interactive learning experience that goes beyond the traditional confines of the classroom.
Enhancement of Communication Skills
The communication abilities of the pupils can also be improved by using Snapchat in the classroom. The app’s features, such its group messaging and video chat options, can aid students in improving their interpersonal communication skills. Additionally, by writing stories, captions, and messages on Snapchat, students can hone their writing abilities.
Innovative Ways to Use Snapchat in the Classroom
Virtual Field Trips
Students may go on virtual field trips via Snapchat. Stories that transport children to many locations throughout the globe, such as museums, landmarks, and natural marvels, can be written by teachers. Additionally, teachers can enhance the virtual field trip by using Snapchat’s fun filters and stickers.
Interactive Storytelling
Snapchat is a flexible platform that can be used for interactive storytelling, which is not just restricted to the entertainment industry but can also be used as a cutting-edge teaching tool. The software gives instructors the chance to create and produce immersive stories that include a variety of exciting activities and questions in an effort to increase student involvement and interest in the learning process. Additionally, educators can make use of Snapchat’s sophisticated drawing tools to produce intricate diagrams or visually appealing illustrations that aid in the explanation of difficult ideas or theories and help students gain a deeper understanding of the material.
Collaborative Projects
Snapchat, a social media platform popular among young people, has the potential to serve as a powerful tool for facilitating collaborative projects. Leveraging the app’s versatile group messaging and video chat features, students can seamlessly communicate with one another and jointly tackle complex projects that might otherwise be difficult to complete alone. What’s more, Snapchat’s unique ability to enable real-time sharing of resources such as notes, study guides, and practice questions, makes it an invaluable resource for students looking to learn and grow together. Whether working on a group presentation, conducting research, or studying for an exam, Snapchat offers a dynamic and engaging way for students to collaborate and achieve their academic goals.
Live Q&A Sessions
Snapchat, a social media site that continues to be well-liked among millennials and Generation Z, may be useful to teachers in a variety of ways. Notably, it may be used as a live Q&A tool that is interactive. If you will, picture a classroom setting where a teacher develops a series of aesthetically appealing stories with introspective questions intended to engage students’ thoughts. The learning process may be transformed by this method since it not only encourages participation but also strengthens critical thinking abilities. Additionally, Snapchat’s impressive selection of filters and stickers can add a playful element to the Q&A session, enhancing the students’ enjoyment of the activity. Indeed, educators can create learning that is truly dynamic and engaging by using such cutting-edge pedagogical techniques.
Peer Feedback and Review
Snapchat may be utilized for peer evaluation and criticism as well. Students may communicate with one another about their work and provide feedback to one another using the app’s group messaging and video chat features. Students may also use Snapchat to gain comments from their peers and to share their work with their classmates.
Assignment Instructions and Feedback
Instructions and comments for assignments can be shared on Snapchat. In addition to suggestions and tools to assist students, teachers may write tales that include directions for homework. Teachers can also utilize Snapchat’s sketching features to make diagrams or graphics that clarify the subject matter.
Classroom Updates and Announcements
Snapchat, a popular social media platform, has multifaceted utilities that go beyond just photo sharing and communication. It is a versatile tool that can also be leveraged to dispense classroom updates and announcements in a creative and engaging manner. With Snapchat’s user-friendly interface, teachers can concoct innovative stories incorporating crucial information about the upcoming tests, projects, and assignments. The cherry on top, however, is the ability to augment these updates with Snapchat’s diverse range of filters and stickers, making the entire process a fun and interactive experience for students. Indeed, Snapchat’s unique blend of technology and entertainment can foster a dynamic and lively classroom environment, facilitating a more effective and enjoyable learning experience for all.
Best Practices for Using Snapchat in Education
Ensure Student Privacy and Safety
It is essential that we put our students’ safety and privacy first while we embrace the use of technology in the classroom in this day and age. With Snapchat becoming more and more popular among young people, it is essential for teachers to set clear expectations for their students to follow in order to prevent the sharing of any sensitive or private information or any other inappropriate content that could harm them or their peers. Additionally, it is now the responsibility of teachers to closely monitor how their students use this app in order to make sure that they are scrupulously abiding by the rules and fostering a safe and secure learning environment.
Establish Clear Guidelines and Expectations
It’s crucial to lay out specific rules and requirements for utilizing Snapchat in the classroom. The guidelines for using the app and the penalties for breaking them should be made clear by teachers. Teachers should also establish guidelines for how students should use the app, such as prohibiting the sharing of objectionable material and using it in class.
Incorporate Snapchat into the Curriculum
The implementation of Snapchat in the classroom can offer a plethora of benefits that are waiting to be exploited. In order to unlock the full potential of this app, it is essential for teachers to infuse Snapchat into their curriculum in a cohesive manner. One way to achieve this is by assigning projects that are intricately designed to leverage Snapchat’s advanced features, such as its drawing tools or its video chat capabilities. By doing so, teachers can promote a culture of creative exploration while instilling key concepts in students. Furthermore, teachers can capitalize on Snapchat’s rich multimedia capabilities to create a rich learning environment. Whether it be by sharing informative videos or curating relevant resources, the possibilities are endless. In essence, Snapchat can be a valuable tool that can help both teachers and students achieve their educational goals.
Provide Necessary Resources and Training for Both Students and Teachers
To harness the full potential of Snapchat as an effective learning tool in the classroom, it is of utmost importance to ensure that both students and teachers are equipped with the requisite resources and training. To this end, it becomes imperative for the teachers to conduct elaborate tutorials and workshops, acquainting the students with the intricate features and functionalities of this multifaceted app. The key lies in providing the learners with a comprehensive understanding of Snapchat’s vast repertoire of tools and techniques, enabling them to leverage its power to the fullest. Furthermore, teachers should also consider augmenting their own skillsets by undergoing rigorous training to gain mastery over the nuances of Snapchat, thus making it a versatile and indispensable tool in their teaching arsenal.
Challenges and Limitations of Using Snapchat in Education
Lack of Institutional Support and Resources
Due to the lack of institutional support and resources, integrating Snapchat into the classroom can be a confusing challenge. It’s noteworthy that many colleges and institutions don’t appear to have the foresight to implement rules that encourage the usage of social media in the classroom. Additionally, these organizations frequently fail to give teachers the tools and training they need to fully utilize Snapchat as a teaching tool. The burstiness of education may be hindered by such restrictions when teachers are forced to maintain their courses within constrained bounds. Further restricting the usage of Snapchat in the classroom is the unwillingness of certain schools to include social media into their teaching strategies.
Technological Barriers and Accessibility Issues
Snapchat’s educational integration faces a number of challenges, including technological roadblocks and accessibility problems that limit fair access and participation. To give an example, a sizeable percentage of students lack the tools, infrastructure, and technology required to make the most of the app. Furthermore, a sizeable group of students might struggle to use the app due to a lack of familiarity, proficiency, or fluency, making it even harder for them to participate in synchronous and asynchronous classroom activities.
Resistance to Change and New Methods
Both students and instructors can object if Snapchat is used in the classroom. Since they may feel more at ease using traditional teaching methods, students may be reluctant to use the app. Teachers could also be reluctant to use the app because they may not be familiar with its capabilities or be unclear of how to integrate it into their lesson plans.
Potential for Distractions and Inappropriate Use
It becomes more and more clear as we go into the world of classroom technology that using Snapchat might pose some fairly difficult issues. One possible problem is to the app’s distracting features, which may cause pupils to wander from their academic goals. For instance, students could feel pressured to engage in activities that are not academic, like sending messages, or even to research material that is wholly inappropriate for the classroom. Additionally, the ephemeral nature of Snapchat presents a special challenge for educators as it makes it much more difficult for them to monitor how their students are using the app. The lack of permanency in Snapchat’s material may make it difficult for teachers to accurately track their pupils’ usage habits.
Conclusion
In this article, the discussion centers on the manifold advantages of leveraging Snapchat in the classroom. The paper dives deep into innovative approaches for implementing Snapchat in the classroom, offering a plethora of best practices that can be used to optimize its use for educational purposes. The paper also highlights the challenges and limitations that are inherent in utilizing Snapchat in education, which necessitates a nuanced and balanced approach to its implementation.
When it comes to using Snapchat in the classroom, it can serve as a potent tool that benefits both teachers and students. It fosters an environment of greater engagement among students, enabling collaborative learning that spurs creativity and innovation. Additionally, Snapchat provides an informal learning platform, which can improve communication skills and facilitate social interaction.
However, despite these notable benefits, there are several challenges and limitations associated with using Snapchat in the classroom that must be addressed. These include issues such as a lack of institutional support and resources, technological barriers and accessibility issues, resistance to change and new methods, as well as the potential for distractions and inappropriate use.
Despite these challenges, Snapchat can be a powerful tool for boosting student engagement and learning, and its use in the classroom merits further research to ensure that it is optimized for educational purposes.
