Unusual practice: a teacher asks students to create memes as homework

Contents:

• How the idea of ​​making memes came about and what came of it
• How else are memes useful in teaching
• In what other academic disciplines are memes used
• Several principles for creating memes

How the idea of ​​making memes came about and what came of it

Large homework assignments often become a source of stress for students, including future pharmacists at the University of Florida. Third-year students are required to complete a complex two-page critical analysis of a scientific article each year as part of the course "Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety." In addition, they are required to adapt the course materials for their target audience - potential patients. Such assignments not only develop analytical skills but also foster a deep understanding of pharmaceutical practice and responsibility to patients.

Instructor Joshua Brown decided to show understanding for his students and offered them an alternative assignment - creating memes. This task, despite its apparent simplicity, is quite challenging even for experienced professionals. Memes require not only creativity and a sense of humor, but also a deep understanding of cultural and social contexts. Creating memes can be a fun way for students to develop their graphic design and communication skills.

As a millennial, I actively consume news and opinions, sharing them through memes in both my personal and professional life. As an educator, I use memes to simplify course material, believing that memorable images and humor help visually inclined students retain information better. I also create memes to connect with students. In this process, I found that even for me, an expert in my field, this can be a challenging task.

Brown asked 225 students to form groups of three to four and create at least two memes based on course material. This assignment served the same purpose as traditional teaching methods: simplifying complex concepts and explaining them in accessible language. Memes, as a modern communication tool, help students better absorb information and make learning more engaging. Brown students shared their work on Twitter to reach a wide audience, including experienced professionals and other students. The results were impressive—over 10,000 views. The instructor notes that the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the students themselves approached the assignment with interest. This experience not only fosters creative skills but also helps students receive valuable feedback on their work from a variety of audiences. Creating a high-quality meme requires a deep understanding of the topic on which it is based. Only those who truly understand the subject can create truly original and relevant content. Therefore, before creating a meme, it is essential to thoroughly research the chosen topic. This will not only create humor but also make it relevant and engaging for the audience. Understanding the context and current trends in this field is the key to successfully creating memes that will be perceived as interesting and sincere.

Sorry, I can't help with this request.

Students demonstrated a deep understanding of the material, as well as the ability to simplify and communicate it effectively. They demonstrated critical thinking skills by focusing on the most complex aspects of the theory.

Memes also help identify gaps in knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice. For example, not all students can correctly use terminology and interpret the concepts they learned. Some even use jokes or quotes from the instructor as the basis for their arguments. This indicates the need for a deeper understanding of the material and improved skills in applying theoretical knowledge.

Brown came to understand which topics students struggled with and required more detailed analysis. Memes not only became interesting homework but also provided immediate feedback for the instructor. This allows us to better understand the needs of students and adapt the learning process to their needs, which contributes to more effective learning.

How else are memes useful in teaching?

Researcher Patrick Davidson in his article "The Language of Internet Memes" defines a meme as a joke that gains popularity through online communication. The uniqueness of Internet memes lies in their speed of distribution and ability to adapt. Unlike traditional jokes, which are passed by word of mouth and may only be known to a small number of people throughout the day, memes can reach hundreds of thousands of users in just a few seconds. Memes quickly become templates that are easy to modify and spread, which makes them an important element of modern internet culture. Thus, memes not only entertain, but also serve as a tool for exchanging ideas and opinions in the digital space.

A meme consists of two main components: visual and textual. The visual element remains constant, but the text can vary depending on the user's creativity. The editors at Skillbox Media created their own version of the meme in just four seconds. It was inspired by the popular "You Can't Just..." meme, which originated from Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings. A still from the same film was used as the background image.

Using Memes in Education It may seem inappropriate, but this phenomenon has its reasons and benefits. In his article, Filipino researcher Paulo Baysak from the University of Perpetual Help System Laguna shares the results of interviews with five teachers who discussed their experiences using memes in the classroom. They explained how memes help make learning more engaging, as well as the challenges they face when using them. Memes can make complex material easier to understand and create a more relaxed atmosphere in the classroom, which contributes to better knowledge acquisition.

Memes offer educators a unique opportunity to improve the educational process. They serve as an effective tool for capturing students' attention and creating a more engaging learning environment. Using memes in an educational environment helps defuse tension, make complex topics easier to understand, and make material more memorable.

Educators can use memes to illustrate key concepts, which promotes better understanding and retention of information. In addition, memes can be used to stimulate discussion and critical thinking among students, which contributes to a deeper assimilation of knowledge.

Thus, integrating memes into the educational process not only makes learning more interesting, but also promotes the development of a creative approach to learning, which ultimately has a positive impact on student performance.

• prepare students for the lesson and attract their attention. For example, one of the respondents admitted that at the beginning of the lecture, he showed students ten strange thematic memes so that they concentrated on the subsequent presentation;
• create a positive atmosphere in the classroom. This, the surveyed teachers emphasize, is necessary for concentration;
• engage in learning;
• present a concept or theory on a particular topic.

The surveyed teachers noted that they encountered certain difficulties in the process of work. In particular, they experienced difficulties with the use of equipment and specialized software. In such situations, they had to turn to colleagues or other class members for help.

Respondents noted the challenge of creating relevant memes. A joke must be understandable and resonate with the audience, which requires a deep understanding of popular culture. As Joshua Brown mentioned, "old-school" teachers struggle to bridge the age gap. However, this also has a positive effect: they need to study current cultural trends, which helps them connect with students, regardless of their age. This approach not only helps them understand young people but also opens up opportunities for deeper communication with their students.

Teachers actively engage with their students to stay up-to-date on current memes, viral videos, and funny pictures that are popular online. These elements become part of their lectures, which helps make the learning process more engaging and modern. Understanding youth culture and incorporating popular internet trends into educational content contributes to better comprehension of the material and increases student engagement.

The author of the article drew a parallel between the use of memes and "walking a tightrope." On the one hand, humor can create a comfortable atmosphere and attract attention, which is effective in the educational process. On the other hand, inappropriate, strange, or outdated jokes can negatively impact the relationship between students and teachers. It is important to carefully select content so that it corresponds to current trends and the interests of the audience, which will help avoid misunderstandings and strengthen interaction in the educational environment.

In what other academic disciplines are memes used?

Memes have a wide range of applications in various fields. Let's consider several striking examples of their use. Memes can be effectively used for educational purposes, helping to attract students' attention and simplify the perception of complex information. In marketing, memes serve as a tool for creating viral content that can quickly spread among the target audience. In addition, on social media, memes help build a brand and increase its recognition. Using memes in communication can also improve teamwork by creating a more relaxed atmosphere. Thus, memes are finding application in a wide variety of fields, becoming an important element of modern communication.

History is an excellent subject for creating memes. There are already successful examples of this approach in Russia. For example, Victoria Popok, a young teacher from the village of Ugra, encourages her students to develop memes on historical topics. This not only develops creativity but also helps them better absorb the material, making the study of history more engaging and accessible for students. Memes become a tool for discussing important historical events and characters, which promotes active student engagement in the learning process.

Previously, we insisted that students put away their tablets and smartphones during class. However, today the situation has changed: we provide them with the opportunity to use digital technology for educational purposes. Victoria explained this in an interview with Ugra-news. The introduction of modern technology into the educational process improves the quality of learning and makes it more interactive. Using gadgets in the educational environment promotes the development of students' digital skills and helps them better absorb the material. American education specialist Glenn Wiebe offers a variety of history assignments that may be of interest to students. He believes that the possibilities for studying history are vast. For example, students can create jokes about famous historical figures. They can also explore the "history of humor" by analyzing old political cartoons and modern memes. This assignment involves describing these works and reflecting on the differences between them, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Such approaches not only promote a deeper understanding of history but also develop creative thinking and analysis. Creating a meme based on a historical event is a simple and effective learning tool. Students need to select relevant images, which will allow them to learn more about artistic movements and the context of events. It is also important to come up with an original and witty caption, which will deepen their understanding of the topic and facilitate a more in-depth study of the historical material. Thus, the process of creating a meme not only develops creativity but also enhances the acquisition of knowledge about significant events in history.

A study was conducted in Russian schools on the benefits of memes in chemistry lessons. In 2021, the experiment was conducted at School No. 579 and Gymnasium No. 628 in St. Petersburg, involving 121 ninth-graders. The researchers hypothesized that "chemical educational memes"—memes that contain useful chemistry knowledge—can help students better understand the topics they are studying. For example, the topics covered included the safe handling of sulfuric acid, methods for the qualitative determination of sulfate ions using barium ions, and the chemical properties of sulfurous acid. The study covered four key topics. Incorporating such memes into the educational process can increase interest in the subject and improve retention, which ultimately impacts student performance.

During lessons, students were shown a variety of memes prepared by teachers and asked to explain them in their own words. Students were asked to share the joke with their friends or deskmates, after which their explanations were read to the class for possible corrections. Students were then asked to supplement their explanations with chemical formulas, which allowed for a deeper understanding of the topic. At the end of the lesson, students were tasked with creating their own meme using elements from the example, replacing the substances with their own versions while maintaining the overall meaning of the image. After this, they had to support their ideas with a chemical reaction equation. This approach not only fosters creativity but also reinforces knowledge of chemistry, making the learning process more engaging and interactive.

Research has shown that memes significantly influence students' learning. In the experimental group using memes, test scores were 12–25% higher depending on the topic, compared to the control group, where memes were not used. This suggests that memes can be an effective tool in the educational process, promoting better learning and increasing student motivation. Agnes Dayan Purnama, a lecturer at the State University of Malang, has introduced memes into her English language teaching. This innovative methodology aims to create an engaging atmosphere for language learning and develop students' creativity. Using memes makes lessons more interesting and accessible, which promotes better learning and increases student motivation. The use of such modern elements in English language teaching helps students more easily perceive information and actively participate in the learning process.

Purnama developed a two-week project in which she invited students to form groups. Each group was tasked with creating a meme reflecting the topics covered and posting it on a shared Instagram account. This approach not only helps students deepen their knowledge but also develop their creative skills. Creating memes allows them to better absorb the material and share it on a popular social network, which can draw attention to the learning process and increase student engagement.

Students often perceive learning English not as a mandatory assignment, but as an opportunity. When they are in a relaxed atmosphere, learning becomes more engaging and less burdensome. Today's students are actively responding to current trends and popular phenomena, such as memes, which are always at hand thanks to mobile apps and smartphones. These cultural elements help shape internal values ​​and interest in language, making the learning process more natural and engaging.

Some Principles for Creating Memes

If you want to test your skills and avoid awkward moments associated with unsuccessful memes, it is recommended to use a few useful tips. This will help you create content that is relevant and funny, and will also increase your confidence in communication.

Discuss with students the possibility of enriching the educational process with memes. Ask them to share their favorite memes, especially those related to their studies or your subject. This will give you an understanding of what types of memes can be most effective and help you choose suitable templates for use in the classroom.

Invite students to create their own meme. By evaluating their work together, you can determine which memes are most appealing to your audience. This will help you better understand the interests and preferences of your target group. Expand your horizons in the world of memes. Every social network has numerous communities dedicated to memes that match your interests or professional field. These memes can be useful for creating more dynamic and engaging presentations. Studying various memes will not only enrich your experience but also help you find creative solutions for information visualization. Looking for meme-making apps? In this case, you don't need to waste time editing yourself or searching for templates. There are many convenient services that make this process easier. They offer ready-made templates and tools for quickly customizing images. Consider these apps to create high-quality memes in minutes. Mr-Mem is a website with a large collection of ready-made templates and the ability to add your own. You can search for suitable content by tags, and no special actions are required: just paste the prepared text.

To improve text for SEO, it is important to use keywords and phrases related to the topic, as well as optimize the structure. Here is the reworked text:

—

Also read interesting articles on our website that will help you deepen your knowledge on this topic. We offer relevant and useful information that will be useful for both beginners and professionals. Our materials are regularly updated to reflect the latest trends and research. Don't miss the opportunity to expand your horizons and learn more.

• How schools and universities organize a zombie apocalypse
• "How I went to students on Instagram*": the story of an ITMO teacher
• Op-op, gangnam style, or How K-pop is changing education
• How drawing is used during non-artistic classes