I consider myself to be an open individual when it comes to using technology in the classroom, but Instagram is one medium that leaves me with a level of discomfort. In all honesty, I am not sure why. I understand that you do not have to follow your students or anything of that nature, but it still seems to be a little much. I think it is because Instagram is so interwoven into the lives of students and their social lives that I feel more inclined to keep a distance between their personal and academic lives. I am not implying that Instagram cannot be used for academic purposes because obviously it can as pointed out in the article, but I am not sure it something that I will want to use.
In regards to the article I do think this was a creative and engaging way to develop vocabulary. I also think that this activity does help students to participate in a global society. Technology connects them to people across the globe and they need to be able to use that technology. This type of activity gives students practice with using technology that has the capability to connect students across continents. Teachers are also empowering their students to be creative and innovative by allowing them to explore and take part in their learning through experience. It also allows them to work together with their peers to find different landmarks and check of items in their list. This enables collaboration and allows students to see how working in a group can create a product that is much better than what one person could do by him- or herself. It makes sense that since students are already actively using a platform like Instagram to use as a means to engage them in their education. I think it is fundamentally important for educators to find what their students are using everyday so that we can use it to engage students. When students see that their teachers are willing to use technology with which they are familiar, and then it will help teachers and students to build connections and rapport with students, which we know is essential to creating a positive and conducive atmosphere for learning. As a teacher I am always looking for ways to engage students. Perhaps this will mean branching out of my comfort zone, or continuing to find new and dynamic technologies that will engage students. Technology is always evolving and as a teacher I want to be able to adapt to the changes.
In regards to the article I do think this was a creative and engaging way to develop vocabulary. I also think that this activity does help students to participate in a global society. Technology connects them to people across the globe and they need to be able to use that technology. This type of activity gives students practice with using technology that has the capability to connect students across continents. Teachers are also empowering their students to be creative and innovative by allowing them to explore and take part in their learning through experience. It also allows them to work together with their peers to find different landmarks and check of items in their list. This enables collaboration and allows students to see how working in a group can create a product that is much better than what one person could do by him- or herself. It makes sense that since students are already actively using a platform like Instagram to use as a means to engage them in their education. I think it is fundamentally important for educators to find what their students are using everyday so that we can use it to engage students. When students see that their teachers are willing to use technology with which they are familiar, and then it will help teachers and students to build connections and rapport with students, which we know is essential to creating a positive and conducive atmosphere for learning. As a teacher I am always looking for ways to engage students. Perhaps this will mean branching out of my comfort zone, or continuing to find new and dynamic technologies that will engage students. Technology is always evolving and as a teacher I want to be able to adapt to the changes.