Rolls for the tech! AHSneedle.com is expanding its use of popular media apps.

After participation in Drake University’s MediaNow camp this past summer, editor Chloe Newbury spearheaded an effort to increase the use of social media for the AHS journalism department.

@ahsneedle (Twitter)

Twitter has been AHSneedle’s most popular platform, with 908 followers after 4131 tweets. This year editor Jaxson Eden has been posting daily polls to interact with students of AHS. Other uses of Twitter by AHS Journalism include links to stories and live tweets from games, as well as helpful information about events and cancellations.

ahsneedle (Snapchat)

Snapchat was added last year after journalists attended the Iowa High School Press Association conference and learned about its potential. However, it has taken on new life this fall as Paige Williams and Newbury are posting “Senior Snaps” each day to showcase the members of the class of 2017. Snapchat will also be used to cover “behind the scenes” in the Journalism Lab, plays and musicals, field trips, practices and gym events.

Facebook (AHSneedle)

The Facebook page is where Eye of the Needle and AHSneedle.com stories are linked. The page has 317 friends at this time, with 15 of those new followers this week. The Facebook page is the platform most likely to reach parents and guardians.

ahsneedle (Instagram)

Journalists’ newest platform is Instagram, where they hope to capture dances, sports, dress-up days, fashion trends, classroom action and visually appealing aspects of events impacting students.

Newbury, Eden and Williams will be overseeing the social media for AHS Journalism. Contact them at ahsneedle.com to share suggestions and feedback, or comment below.