Instagram, Textgram, and Vine

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Images. They're powerful. A single image can enlighten a student's thought process, build connections not perceived with words, and fill in gaps in understanding.  Images can also challenge students to think critically and strengthen their inferencing skills.
Images in motion, take the brain to the next level.  It has been said, time and time again, that the human's attention span has dramatically decreased.  This is why modern day apps are so effective; they provide a short, concentrated burst of information and allow the brain to process them in that time frame. This allows the mind to focus and discern the message displayed.  It can be used for trivial purposes, or a teacher can present important information as well. 
Thanks to technology, two apps heavily integrated into our everyday lives can do just this: Instagram and Vine.

Instagram is a photo app where users can upload personal picture, apply various filters for effect (students can manipulate filters to convey thematic content, for example) and can share them with the public.
As wonderful as Instagram sounds, it does have various limitations.  It lacks the capability to create collages or offer different layouts to include more than one photograph, and it is impossible to add text to the images.  Fortunately for us, Instagram has various apps that it works with to make collages and text on images possible.  Overgram is an app available for iOS system.  I have an Android phone and used Textgram.  Textgram offers various options, different templates, or the ability to integrate an image of your own.  

This first example was created with a background available in the myriad of backgrounds on Textgram.  Also, the app provides different fonts, sizes, colors, and text enhancement to make the words come alive.  When you are satisfied with you work on Textgram, then one uploads their work to Instagram.  Then, you can also apply filters to give your image one final touch.


In this second example, I used one of my own photographs. I took a picture of one of my bookcases at home and thought of how to motivate reluctant readers.  Images and words can also work together to express theme without necessarily sounding too preachy.  I was a reluctant reader in junior and high school, and something like this could've helped me find motivation and encouragement to read for pleasure, or any reason at all.  As a librarian, I want all my students to understand that they don't have to read novels from cover to cover - in time, that may be the case or goal.  However, I want them to not fear any book they may want to read.  I want my students to feel that if they read anything, they are on the journey to be avid readers.  It all starts with a simple phase of encouragement like this one I created.


A photo posted by WPray (@wpray_) on



Vine takes it to the next level and combines short, six-second recordings to anything you wish.  Again, this can be used for fun or for educational purposes.  Nothing challenges the thought process more than given a time constraint, and Vine can be used for solely that purpose.  Students can expand on character analysis, narrate steps in an experiment, or capture the evolution of an idea.  

My Vine includes book talks, thematic connections, and a shot at some promotional tactics!

Three of my favorite middle school reads: 

 

Other Favorites

 

 Recommendations, themes, attention getters


A Look Into A Librarian's Head


Perhaps a promotional play to use LibraryThing 


As technology continues to evolve and strengthen the relationship between images and words, teachers can learn to revolutionized the teaching experience so that students at any age can find that there is rigor in their thought process, and most importantly, that every aspect of their experience in school is relevant to their daily lives, and ultimately, their future.

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