Embracing TikTok: Why Every Teacher Should Join the Platform
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Chapter 1: The Reluctant Journey into TikTok
After spending two weeks with my students in Poland, I finally gave in and created my first TikTok video. Now, I genuinely believe that every educator should engage with TikTok—especially if they have reservations about social media.
Admittedly, I find most TikTok content to be tedious. The initial wave of mindless videos can be overwhelming, which has kept me from exploring TikTok for a year. The autoplay feature is particularly frustrating; I find it unpleasant to be bombarded with irrelevant content.
However, as teachers aiming to connect with our students, it's crucial to grasp how TikTok functions and why it resonates. We can all benefit from being more succinct and efficient in our communication.
Hidden beneath the surface of banal content lies a wealth of engaging material that creators have skillfully condensed. This is invaluable, though it requires effort to uncover.
I’ve started bypassing my feed and utilizing the discovery page for targeted searches. For instance, North Carolina congressional candidate Jeff Jackson delivers succinct explanations of why certain gun control bills never reach a vote. Numerous TikTok videos also provide concise guidance on health tips and DIY projects. TikTok serves as an excellent medium for sharing fundamental teaching concepts.
Personally, I’m using TikTok to enhance my Polish language skills. Accounts like @polishclasses offer daily mini-lessons that serve as perfect bite-sized practice.
If you’re seeking interactive activities for your students, TikTok videos can succinctly illustrate the lessons you’re covering.
Writing is akin to constructing with Legos.
Rather than just consuming content, challenge yourself to create your own videos. This process will reveal insights about digital writing that you can impart to your students.
You’ll soon recognize that digital writing involves assembling small segments of content in various combinations. This doesn’t mean all student work must be limited to 60 seconds; rather, consider longer pieces as collections of micro-content that can be rearranged or even transformed into essays or assignments. Effective teachers break down lessons into manageable sections—approach TikTok similarly.
For example, you could curate a thematic playlist of videos from @polishclasses to design a cohesive lesson. If you’re teaching the Pythagorean theorem, consider posting an introductory video, followed by instructional content, and concluding with an application of the theorem in various contexts, such as music.
You might even solicit questions from students to create TikTok responses.
Chapter 2: The Value of Engagement Over Perfection
I’ve dedicated a lot of time to perfecting my teaching materials, particularly video lectures. As educators, we often feel pressured to deliver flawless content.
However, today’s students value authenticity and engagement over polish. You don’t need to invest hours in editing or crafting a script. As long as your message is clear and concise, students will appreciate it. In fact, a touch of imperfection can enhance engagement and relatability.
Don’t hesitate to create TikToks; it’s not solely about you.
Start by observing how others structure their TikToks. Identify what captivates viewers and brainstorm how to incorporate those elements into your own content. When executed effectively, your students might even wish to collaborate in the creation process.
Teaching now involves fostering student participation in content creation.
TikTok offers a unique platform for students to express their creativity and share their experiences. It also helps them develop new communication skills and build connections. If you’re looking to inspire student creativity, TikTok can be a valuable resource. It’s not only entertaining but also educational, allowing students to learn effective communication through humor and innovation.
Utilizing technology responsibly is more crucial than mere criticism.
There are countless reasons to disapprove of social media, just as with any other platform. As educators, our responsibility is to highlight the positive aspects of these tools and guide students on ethical and effective usage. When writing was first developed in Ancient Greece, philosophers like Plato lamented that it would diminish memory. Yet, history shows we adapted writing for ethical and effective use.
We can’t shield our students from TikTok, but we can collaborate with them to explore appropriate ways to navigate this platform.
The next time you feel frustrated by social media, remember that it’s a tool. You can leverage it to facilitate learning and engagement while teaching students how to utilize technology meaningfully.
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