Using Instagram as a writing tool!

 Today I am going to talk about using Instagram as a writing tool in English classes. As we all know, Instagram is a Web 2.0 application that allows users to interact with each other based on photos. But I think we can look at Instagram as a writing tool. 

Teachers can open a class account, which will be run by them, and ask students to do some writing tasks. For example, I have created a class account on Instagram and shared 3 photos. Teachers can post photos and ask students what they think and feel, and ask them to write a paragraph or key points about it in the comments. Other than that, it can also be used for essay or paragraph planning. On this account, students can give peer feedback to each other by replying to each other's comments. The teacher can also give feedback on this platform too. 

One thing that might be bad is that since there is a word limit on comments, students will not be able to write full essays. But, using Instagram as a brainstorming, planning, drafting, or feedback activity should be on our minds since it is free and easy. Other than that, another challenging factor is that, to use it in the classroom, the students need to have their phones or personal computers with them. Many schools in Turkey take away the phones of the students but I think it can be managed for activities involving Instagram!

Here's the link: https://www.instagram.com/