Instagram is increasingly being used by schools as a way to engage with students, parents and carers. It is a powerful tool to promote the quality of education within any setting. Furthermore, Instagram can be a firm ally in any successful parental engagement strategy. This short post aims to serve as an introduction to Instagram for schools.

Introduction to Instagram for Schools

Instagram offers a unique blend of visual and text-based content, making it an ideal platform for sharing information about school activities, events, and news. Also, Instagram's use of hashtags makes it easy for schools to connect with a wider audience beyond their immediate community.

As more and more schools begin to use Instagram, it is important to consider how the platform can be used to create positive and engaging learning experiences for students and an engaging community for parents and carers.

With over 800 million monthly active users, Instagram has become more and more popular. It can be used to showcase student work, share school news and events, and connect with other educators.

Hashtags are a great way to increase engagement and reach a wider audience. For example, the hashtag #edchat has been used to connect educators from all over the world. Also, Instagram can be used to run contests and giveaways. So, encourage students to post photos of themselves doing school-related activities and you'll see your engagement improve dramatically.

Parents love to see their children enjoying life in school. And, the parents of potential students want to see inside the day-to-day life of your school. Instagram is a fantastic way to achieve this.

Overall, Instagram is a great way for schools to engage with their community while evidencing the quality of education.

Using Instagram to Boost Parental Engagement

When used effectively, Instagram can be a powerful tool for boosting parental engagement.

Share updates and events regularly to ensure that parents are kept up-to-date with what's going on. Also, hashtags can be to encourage parents to get involved in discussions. Use Instagram's 'Stories' feature - this is a great way to share quick snippets of information.

Top Tips for Instagram for Schools

Instagram can be a great way for schools to connect with their students, parents, carers and the wider community and keep them up-to-date on events and news. Here are some tips to make the most of Instagram:

1. Use Hashtags:

Hashtags are a great way to make your posts discoverable. Use relevant hashtags such as #education or #schools, as well as any specific hashtags for your school or district.

2. Schedule your Instagram posts:

Very often, one of the most common reasons that schools don't use social media, at least not effectively, is because of the work involved in sharing and managing content. Use a tool such as the Schudio Social Media Manager to schedule your posts and engage with your community.

3. Engage with Your Audience:

Instagram is all about engagement. Make sure to like and comment on student and teaching staff's posts, and encourage others to do the same.

4. Share News and Updates:

Use Instagram to share news and updates about your school, such as event announcements or important dates.

5. Get Creative:

Be creative with your Instagram posts! Utilise Instagram's various features, such as stories, live video, and boomerangs, to connect with your audience in fun and interesting ways.

6. Make sure that your school's Instagram account is run by a responsible person:

The expectation is to ensure that posts are done regularly, consistently and in adherence to your wider goals. Therefore, choose someone who will regularly post relevant updates in a way that suits what you're aiming for.

7. Encourage students to Instagram responsibly:

Keep in mind that their posts reflect not only on themselves but also on their school. It's important for every school to have social media policies in place so that everyone involved knows what is expected and the parameters they are working within.

By following these tips, schools can use Instagram in a positive way to foster engagement and connection within their community.

Further Reading on Instagram for Schools

12 Ways to use social media for education
How to use Instagram as a Teaching and Resource Tool
Common Sense Education - Review of Instagram
Instagram Marketing - Hubspot Report
How to use Instagram - A Beginner's Guide

Schudio Social Media Manager for Schools - Introduction