Instagram, a learning tool for university students

Instagram has become one of the most widely used social networks for socialization and expression among young people and it is a phenomenon that transcends the educational field. A research based on a mixed method is presented in students of the Early Childhood Education Teacher Degree at the University of Burgos, to know the way in which they use the social network Instagram. The purpose was to analyze the perception of university students on the use of this social network as a learning tool. The data of this research were collected using a questionnaire to a sample of thirty students and were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings revealed that students had positive perceptions about the use of social media, specifically in the frequency with which they posted and interacted with their peers and consider this application optimal for disseminating information of educational content, as well as to promote student learning in other subjects. This study shows the educational potential of this platform and reveals certain advantages in the access to information and in the expression of learning for university students. It should be considered that it is essential for future educators to know examples of effective use of technology at the educational level, as well as to know its limitations so that their work can transcend into the professional sphere.