5 Reasons to Use Memes with Your Students

Why and how could you make memes with your students?

We, as teachers, are always looking for ways to connect with our students and their lives outside of school, as well as to get their attention and help them to remember the content we are trying to teach. Making memes either for your students, or having them make memes are great tools to do just that.

First the HOW. 

That’s the easy part! There are several websites that will quickly and easily allow you to put in a picture, or choose from one of the common pictures that are used in memes, and then input your caption. Then you can download your new image. They are VERY easy to use.

Here are a few that I would recommend

• ImgFlip
• ImageChef
• Make a Meme

All three websites function very similarly, and are really straightforward to use. Not much farther explanation is needed there.

Examples

Before we go much further into the WHY, let’s take a look at some examples. Here are some great examples of both teacher memes, memes that you might use with students, and even one that students could create as an assignments. Click through. What emotions or reactions do you have as you go through?

Created with flickr slideshow.

As you clicked through, what did you feel? Were you amused? Did you feel sympathetic? Did you laugh out loud? We know that when we emotionally connect to something we are much more likely to remember it, and the same is true for our students!

The Why

When something evokes an emotional response, students remember it, they are more engaged, and more attentive. Memes express what we are feeling and thinking so well, sometimes better than words alone can do. In order to make appropriate memes, you must really understand the content (or rule or situation). Lastly, memes connect with students where they are. Memes and gifs are common all over their world, in social media and chatting apps.

Uses in Class

So how could you use memes in your class? Could be when you go over rules, or remind students of classroom procedures. I think it would be great to just have one ready to flash up on the screen sometime when students are talking while you are teaching. It would get their attention, and they would really understand what’s going on. You could have students make memes as a way to show their understanding. Memes could be part of a review activity, or possibly even an assessment that would make a great bulletin board or display. Here is a great example from Themetapicture.com if you are teaching about pH.

Or learning about solar energy, you could give them this meme, and ask them to explain what’s wrong with it.

Memes can be a great way for your students to get engaged and show their creativity, as well as make your lessons more memorable. Have you tried this or a similar activity with your classes? If so, please share your favorite meme in the comments, or in the Facebook group!