Table 2.
Protocol for establishing educational Instagram account and image database
| Setting up account | |
| 1 | Create a new Instagram account using Instagram app on smartphone or tablet |
| 2 | Update information including profile picture, contact information, bio (account description) |
| 3 | Switch to professional account to view Insights |
| Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account → Business → Education → Public | |
| Preparing account content | |
| 4 | Establish database of educational images |
| 5 | Select images that contain important teaching points amenable to question and answer format |
| 6 | Create question, answer, and explanation for each image |
| 7 | Type questions with answer options into Word document for easy cut-and-paste access |
| Formatting histology images | |
| 8 | Insert desired image to PowerPoint |
| 9 | Format image to ensure height equals width (at least 320 × 320 pixels) |
| Make sure to deselect “Lock aspect ratio” | |
| 10 | Save newly formatted image |
| Formatting answers with explanations | |
| 11 | On a new slide, type correct answer and explanation into text box |
| 12 | Format text box to ensure height equals width |
| 13 | Using Snipping Tool (PC) or Grab (Mac), create an image of the text box |
| 14 | Save image of text box alongside the corresponding histology image |
| Uploading account content to feed | |
| 15 | Determine when images/questions should be posted to correlate with curriculum |
| 16 | Transfer prepared histology images, answer images, and Word document with questions to device |
| Note: Posts must be uploaded from a smartphone or tablet. Images and files may be transferred using email or Bluetooth (e.g., Airdrop) or through a file transferring app (e.g., Dropbox) | |
| 17 | Open Instagram on device and select [+] in bottom center to create a new post |
| 18 | Select layered square button on the right to allow for selection of multiple images within a single post |
| 19 | Click histology image first (1) followed by corresponding answer image (2), and hit next twice |
| 20 | Copy and paste question and answer choices into “caption” |
| 21 | Share post for followers to view |
| It is also possible to save posts for later by hitting back twice and selecting “Save Draft.” This allows the user to save time by preparing many posts at once and then return to share them one at a time in a spaced fashion | |
| 22 | Use Insights to monitor student engagement with posted material |