Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service owned by Facebook, Inc. Instagram allows users to upload photos and videos to the service, which can be edited with various filters, and organized with tags and location information. An account's posts can be shared publicly or with pre-approved followers. Users can browse other users' content by tags and locations, and can "like" and comment photos and videos posted. Instagram has also messaging features, the ability to include multiple images or videos in a single post, as well as "Stories"—similar to its main competitor Snapchat—which allows users to post photos and videos to a sequential feed, with each post accessible by others for 24 hours each. |
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Benefits:
- We don’t think that Instagram should be used by it’s own for mentoring purposes but it is a valuable tool if used together with e.g. WhatsApp, Messenger or Facebook.
- It is easy to use Instagram together with Facebook as you can decide to share what post on Instagram simultaneously on Facebook.
- Can be considered relatively safe to use if you don’t use hashtags
- Popular with young people
- Can be used in different ways
- Only used on smartphones or tablets
- Can be viewed from a PC computer
Obstacles |
Solutions |
You can chat with only one person at the same time |
Create a closed group where you can all chat together |
Another user can share what you have posted on WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook so it is not safe to use |
Just like when using any other App you have to make guidelines and rules that you will follow |
We don’t know what to post and what to focus on in the posts |
Introduce the users on what kind of photos/videos should be posted and teach them how the photos/videos should be commented so that it encourages learning |
Our top 10 tips for using Instagram for mentoring
- Create a closed group and invite only those who will gain/needs to be included in this group
- Set up and agree guidelines/aims for the group
- Set up rules for the group
- Make sure everybody knows how to operate it including the use of hashtags
- Educate the users on what kind of files, pictures, photos, links and videos should be posted and what is not allowed to post
- Use a series of pictures (up to 10) to show work practices and gain feedback
- Be aware that it is not 100% secure so be selective in what you share in the group
- Use videos to highlight processes or gather feedback
- Set communication rules on how and what to comment on posts
- Agree on when the group will be closed/archived