A case for internet memes

in education: a focus on
mathematics and
medical science
Ashlea Cromby
University of Oxford/University of East London

ABSTRACT
KEYWORDS
In this review, I reflect upon writings on, and teaching experiences of, using
internet memes as a pedagogical tool for enhancing learner engagement. The Pedagogy
review also looks at how viable it is to incorporate internet memes into teaching
of mathematics and medical science. I reviewed a range of studies from Russia, Internet Memes
India, Oman, Spain, Italy, Ukraine, USA and the UK within the context of the online
learning environment. Results from this review showed mixed responses to the Mathematics
use of internet memes. Positive views include that staff and students enjoyed the
Medical Science
humorous nature of internet memes, while negative views showed many staff
reluctant to use internet memes, pertaining to their levels of comfort in using Digital Education
creative digital methods. The review also shows mixed results when internet
memes are used as a replacement for assignments set for formal grading. Creative Approaches

INTRODUCTION due to the pedagogical need to improve education. I will reflect upon writings
student motivation in the online and teaching experiences using internet
In recent years, the use of online
learning space. The need for educators memes in sources from Russia, India,
learning in education, especially
to encourage students through Oman, Spain, Italy, Ukraine, the USA
higher education, has significantly
creative, digital resources to promote and the UK to illustrate the potential
increased, necessitating adjustments
student engagement, motivation benefits of using internet memes in
in schools and universities. The
and enhance the teaching-learning teaching practice. I will demonstrate
Covid-19 pandemic and technological
process has led to the emergent use several ways others have used memes
advancement stand out as the driving
of unconventional teaching resources, in the educational process, organised
forces behind this expansion of online
such as internet memes. by subject fields of mathematics and
learning (Anton-Sancho et al., 2022).
medical sciences.
A growing effort is being made to The purpose of this paper is to review
understand students’ interests, in order recent research into the different
to tailor these learning environments, uses of internet memes as a tool in

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 RESEARCH in TEACHER EDUCATION

WHAT ARE INTERNET GENERATION OF people who were born and raised during
MEMES? LEARNERS, COVID-19 the digital era (Prensky, 2001), and who

An internet meme is an idea, behaviour,

AND INTERNET MEMES are expected to be tech-savvy, they found
the move easier than those who are not
image or style that circulates online, Every generation is subject to stereotypes, as tech-comfortable. This is especially
frequently through social media but one constant description of the true for some faculty members and
platforms. The definition of an internet newest educational cohorts is that they contemporary students. Shariman et al.
meme differs among online communities, are ‘digital natives’, having been born in (2012) concluded that the effects of new
the era of the internet and other digital digital technologies in redefining online
and its intended use may change over
innovations or shortly after that (Williams, education are still being fully explored
time. For example, internet memes were
2020). Many learners have spent much because a sizable portion of students and
once exclusively conceived of as images,
of their lives surrounded by and using staff do not possess the skills expected
concepts or catchphrases. The idea has
computers, video games, tablets, apps, of digital natives due to factors like age,
since expanded and taken on many forms, virtual reality (VR) and other tools of location and socio-economic background
including more complex structures like the digital age (Collins & Halverson, (Bennett et al., 2008).
challenges, GIFs, videos, songs, dances 2018). As a result, it is assumed that
and other viral sensations. The definition these groups use digital devices, media INTERNET MEMES IN
that I will use is that internet memes and social media more frequently in all EDUCATION
are the act of rapid dissemination of a aspects of their daily lives, including at
Internet memes are a growing body
‘specific notion expressed as a written work, play and school. It is suggested
of literature on many levels. Much of
text, image or some other unit of cultural that due to this ubiquitous environment
the current literature on memes pays
stuff – videos, melodies, images, dances’ and the volume of interaction with mass
particular attention to political memes,
(Knobel & Lankshear, 2007, p. 202). information provided by digital platforms,
such as the Trump Election (Schill &
modern students may think and process
Internet memes are regarded as a staple Hendricks, 2018), and to conspiracy
information fundamentally differently
of internet culture and reliable user theories, including government control
from their predecessors. Therefore,
(Ross, 2011), anti-vax (Geniole et al.,
communication (Borzsei, 2012). Instant adapting education to how students
2022) and Covid-19 conspiracy memes
communication on the internet facilitates learn is critical given the contexts in
(Panchal & Jack, 2020). More recently,
word-of-mouth transmission, resulting in which each generation processes and
research has emerged with a focus on
fads and sensations that spread quickly or consumes information (Brown, 2020).
the use of internet memes and society
‘go viral’. Scholars (Shifman, 2015; Aslan, Kyrpa et al. (2022), in their study of
(Denisova, 2020), neurodiversity (Cromby,
meme use in education in Ukraine,
2018; Marchant, 2021) argue that while 2022) and mental health (Adams, 2021).
found that while these students process
memes may appear insignificant, they There is a comparatively small body of
information more quickly, the period of
reflect deep social and cultural processes. literature that is concerned with memes
concentration on one subject is reduced,
They stress that we must pay attention not in education, in areas like critical thinking
and students prefer concise vivid visual
just to the words but also to the cultural (Wells, 2018), languages (Lankshear,
images. This is interesting as it aligns
norms and expectations surrounding 2017; Dongqiang et al., 2020; Sedliarova
with the understanding of memes as
the memes because memes ‘are the et al., 2020) and teaching human–animal
units of visual expression and appears to
backbone of complex digital civilisations’ relations (Tammi & Rautio, 2022) and
have the potential to meet the needs of
(Shifman, 2015, pp. 78). Internet memes physical education (Tinning, 2012). The
digital learners.
are effective as they frame discussions main reason for choosing to focus on
Adding to this, the Covid-19 pandemic mathematics and medical science memes
that are usually informal and digested in
changed the way of life for many people: in this review is to explore how memes
parts; as Brown (2017) states, ‘Memes
their home space has become an office, may interact with more fact-based science
condense the richness and intricacies
university and school (Kidd & Murray, subjects, as this is an under-researched
of unique experiences into a single
2020). The pandemic necessitated using area of education. In this section, I will
expressive unit’ (p. 84). Therefore, internet social media platforms to supplement review available studies to highlight
memes provide people with a medium to social interaction that had been removed how internet memes, mathematics and
broadcast their thoughts and feelings and to comply with social distancing laws science have been used together in an
provide a quick and engaging means of (Subbiramaniyan et al., 2022). There educational environment. This kind of
entertainment and self-expression online were mixed responses to the move to research takes on interest because it aims
(Hodson, 2017). the online space. Since digital natives are to demonstrate that, in the digital age,

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A case for internet memes in education: a focus on mathematics and medical science

scientific disciplines like mathematics are (Bini & Robutti, 2019). The workshop common mistake to avoid it in the future.
no longer the sole preserve of traditional included mathematical memes along with From the learning point of view, it guides
educational contexts. It indicates that a breakdown of their social meaning and and motivates students to understand the
scientific subjects can be effectively taught the conceptual mathematical problem meme’s specialised meaning. From the
using unconventional tools that provide being taught (an example shown in teaching point of view, it can be exploited
opportunities for connections between Figure 1). by teachers who can use memes to
classroom science, mathematics and connect to students in a humorous and
The ‘Distracted Boyfriend’ meme from the
students’ digital languages, giving value visual way, a step forward from a more
workshop described the social meaning of
to youth culture (Dongqiang et al. 2020). formal rote or memorisation technique
a meme. It is used to represent situations
(Arzarello et al., 2008).
INTERNET MEMES where someone (the boyfriend), instead
AND MATHEMATICS: of connecting with the right thing (the In a later study, Bini & Robutti (2022)
girlfriend in blue on the right), is diverted conducted an exploratory teaching
CASES FROM ITALY
to something more alluring (the woman in experiment with a group of 12th-grade
AND NEW YORK
pink on the left). This meme refers to the students in Milan as part of another study
Mathematical internet memes combine cognitive obstacle of distinguishing the to evaluate the potential educational
mathematical and memetic elements role of a sign in the expression of a power efficacy of memes. The task was to make
to produce hybrid representations of number. The wrong outcome (connected a meme about one of the year’s math
mathematical statements, endowed to the girl in pink) is the result of (−5)3 = course topics and record a video explaining
with an epistemic power to initiate −125, which is often mistaken for 5−3 = the mathematical concept recalled by
argumentation processes among 1/125 (the girlfriend in blue). The meme the meme. They posted the memes in a
users (Bini et al., 2020). Despite these expresses that although the correct way collective space, using the free web app
evident potentialities, mathematical has been taught (the girlfriend in blue), Padlet (set up for the occasion to mimic
memes are still widely understudied in it is common for students to use the the social media environment), allowing
mathematics education. incorrect way, as if allured to it (the girl for multilayered student interaction. The
in pink). The expression of the girlfriend findings of this study have not yet been
A small-group study from the Department
in blue is humorous to staff and students publicly disclosed. However, it has been
of Mathematics and Physics at the
as it has been described as mimicking noted that numerous Reddit and Facebook
University of Turin presented research
the face teachers pull whenever they groups have mathematical themes (some
on the creation and classroom use of
see the incorrect way on a paper (Bini & with names like ‘Complex Analysis Memes
internet memes about mathematics
Robutti 2019). for Holomorphic Teens’). Here, thousands
during a workshop on alternative
of users from around the world regularly
teaching methods. They highlighted the The results of this workshop highlighted
discuss a post and share mathematical
educational potential of digital objects that those mathematical concepts could
internet memes to demonstrate their
and expressions common to modern be communicated using memes and
mastery of mathematics (Bini & Robutti,
Web 2.0 culture, such as internet memes would help students to remember this
2022). This is interesting as mathematical
internet memes appear to be naturally
emerging from social media platforms
like Facebook and Instagram’s thematic
groups. These groups appear to be avidly
frequented, and serve as authentic,
unplanned communities of practice
where information is shared in the service
of group learning. This shows that people
see value in using internet memes to
convey mathematical concepts accurately
online, which is encouraging to the appeal
to use memes in an educational setting.

In contrast, several studies in education

have noted that internet memes are not
always positive (e.g. Flecha Ortiz et al.,
Figure 1. Source: Instagram: Juicy Mathematical Memes, found in Bini & Robutti (2019). 2020; Iloh, 2021; Valensise et al., 2021).

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 RESEARCH in TEACHER EDUCATION

Numerous data sources were used in ability to apply concepts learned in class peer colleagues within and outside the
Benoit’s (2018) analysis of mathematical to a mock peer-review activity using an University of Florida. Twitter responses
internet memes to show that students already-published article. The ability to were overwhelmingly positive, with over
are exposed to messages about explain complex studies to a layperson, 10,000 engagements, and individual
mathematics through memes in popular in this case, a patient, is described as feedback expressing personal opinions
culture. Findings showed that social the core competency expected from about the ideas or subjects covered by
media practices (liking, commenting, the course. Instead, to gauge the memes. However, while positive, the
sharing and creating) that reify negative effectiveness of using memes to meet Twitter feedback also showed some
messages about mathematics and course competencies, Brown (2020) scepticism about the educational value
memes are used to depict mathematical asked the 225 third-year pharmacology and general concept of a meme when
stereotypes, reinforcing negative students in their cohort to produce at sharing the activity with co-workers who
messages and potentially reducing the least two ‘work-appropriate’ memes might be categorised as ‘GenX’ or older
participation of future students in uptake per three- or four-person group. Brown and stereotypically thought to be less
of mathematical topics. (2020) also measured the effectiveness of comfortable with such communication
doing so to gain student feedback. media. Despite not being found in the
Overall, these results indicate that internet empirical data, Twitter feedback revealed
memes can be used as a successful The outcomes of the assignment that people felt memes might not
teaching tool to demonstrate corrections were mixed, although mostly positive. appeal to colleagues who have stricter
in a humorous and positive way for It was found that memes could be standards for what ‘professionalism’
both staff and students. Furthermore, viewed positively as they demonstrate entails. This feedback is contrary to that
because internet memes exist in online opportunities for students to learn course of Brown (2020) who found that by
mathematic groups, it shows they can be content through creative methods. One including these informal activities in a
successfully used to convey mathematical of the most prominent outcomes of the professional learning environment, there
concepts; however, it is still unclear how study was that memes gave students was a chance to create a safe space to
that can fully and accurately transition to the chance to connect over memes’ develop good practices in these types
the educational setting. origin stories. For example, responding of communications. It could also lead
to a Lord of the Rings meme, a student to a generation of professionals at ease
MEMES IN commented, ‘this is from my favourite with both formal and informal means of
PHARMACEUTICAL & movie’. This connection was described disseminating information about science
MEDICAL SCIENCE: as important to students in an online and health.
CASES FROM FLORIDA, learning environment due to the social
In an immunology class in Mexico, an
MEXICO, INDIA isolation resulting from the Covid-19
assignment to create a meme that
AND OMAN pandemic. Students also stated that
the activity supported an active and explained any second-term themes, such
In, 2020, the University of Florida as phagocytosis, inflammation, antigen
positive learning environment and
Pharmaceuticals College held the opinion
was a humanising task (Brown, 2020).
that using internet memes could make
However, while students enjoyed the
fun lecture material and would increase
task, in the findings, groups of students
the likelihood that students who prefer
had focused too often on a particular
more visual approaches will remember
concept or repeatedly misinterpreted
the concepts. Furthermore, memes were
or misrepresented a concept over
believed to convey course material that
multiple submissions, suggesting a lack of
could go beyond simple memorisation
conceptual or contextual understanding
and even encourage higher-level
of both the mathematics and the memes.
thought, application, and retention of
This is potentially due to the highly
those concepts due to memes’ highly
contextual nature of internet memes. A
contextual nature. The University used its
positive view of this outcome, however,
third-year ‘Pharmacoepidemiology and
is that the memes were able to highlight
Drug Safety’ course to put theoretical
areas where course content may need to
understandings of meme usage into
be bolstered, reduced or revised.
practice. This final assignment would
Figure 2. Pharmacology meme. Source: ‘Is There Any
usually be a comprehensive, two-page- The study was also shared on Twitter, Other Way to Study Pharmacology?’ Reddit, 2019
article critique that evaluates students’ allowing for additional feedback from

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A case for internet memes in education: a focus on mathematics and medical science

presentation and natural killer (NK) cells, understand how students felt about the However, caution should be exercised
was given in a novel effort to increase meme task. The most exciting finding when using internet memes as they are
class participation and evaluate students’ from this analysis described by students highly contextual so there is a high risk of
understanding of the course material. was the ‘joy of learning’, present in 44% misinterpretation or misrepresentation
The positive response led to the creation of comments, with quotes used such as of concepts relating to the memes. This
of 64 memes by 45 students, some of ‘it’s [i.e. memes are] useful because we could impact students’ grades if used in a
whom posted more than once. Using can explain some complex topics in a fun formally graded assignment.
internet memes’ visual representations, way that makes it easy and refresh our
This review contributes to the growing
students made clever connections. All mind’. However, staff reported concerns
literature on the use of internet memes in
the internet memes used in this task to about the application of internet memes
education. It has highlighted that in most
illustrate immunology concepts were across the board as findings showed they
studies, staff have reported scepticism
accurate and understood. Additionally, would not be sufficient for more critical
over internet memes in education,
informal student evaluations of the meme formally graded exams due to the high
perhaps relating to their position in the
activity were favourable, with one stating, risk of misinterpretation of memes given
‘digital age’ and feeling less comfortable
‘It was a fun assignment. I even started their highly contextual nature. None the
using digital methods than their ‘digital
gathering memes from my social media less, staff did report that memes were
native’ students. The generalisability
feed over the weeks because I thought enjoyed by students, creating a more
of these findings is subject to certain
they would help explain the procedures engaging learning environment.
limitations. For instance, all the studies
we were covering in class.’ One student
Taken together, the findings of these in this review were conducted within the
said she appreciated the teacher’s extra
studies suggest a positive association online learning environment. Therefore,
effort to adapt the class to a fully online
between the use of internet memes further work is required to establish the
environment. Another student remarked
and science education. It is possible viability of if and how internet memes
that when developing the meme, he
to tell from these studies that using may function in a face-to-face teaching
put a lot of effort into conveying the
internet memes in education could environment. Furthermore, this review
information and learning how to use
enrich scientific courses and encourage focused only on scientific subjects and has
images to communicate. Despite the
student creativity. However, the results not looked at the broader background in
positive results of this study, some
also indicate that using internet memes education in which internet memes could
staff members expressed doubt about
for formally graded assignments may not be used. Overall, relating to scientific
the validity of using internet memes in
be appropriate, due to the contextual and mathematical knowledge and digital
scientific research.
nature of internet memes and the high resources in this review, it appears that
Similarly, Subbiramaniyan et al. (2022) risk of misinterpretation. Furthermore, internet memes can be used as a strategy
investigated the usefulness of internet it is highlighted that another barrier to in the repertoire of available tools to
memes in learning renal physiology at the using internet memes in education is use engage with students during and after
Mahe-Farmer Institute in India and the of memes with hesitant staff who may the pandemic. n
College of Medicine and Health Sciences not understand or feel comfortable using
in Oman. There was an option for 280 creative digital resources.
students to make memes based on their
renal physiology learning objectives. CONCLUSION
Of these 280 students, 146 (52%) were This study reviewed recent research into
selected to make memes, and the the different uses of internet memes as
remaining students were chosen to submit a tool in education in various countries.
a concept map or a labelled diagram. All The results of this investigation show that
students (labelled-diagram and meme using internet memes in education may
users) received the full 1% grade mark have positive implications for learners.
for this assignment, which counted as 1% Students welcomed internet memes
of their final course grade. This suggests throughout the curriculum and described
that meme submissions were as effective the effect of using internet memes for
at meeting grading requirements as increased engagement and enjoyment.
traditional diagrams. Staff and students In general, it seems that internet
were also asked to submit feedback memes were able to provide a creative
relating to this task, and the comments way for students to present scientific
were subjected to thematic analysis to concepts and meet course competencies.

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 RESEARCH in TEACHER EDUCATION

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