January 2023
Can you really learn on TikTok?
Education in the age of social media
In the age of social media, education has grown in a number of ways. One of the most significant ways is through online learning platforms which allow students to access educational materials and resources from anywhere with an internet connection. Since the early 2000s, social media has played an increasingly significant role in our lives. Over the years there have been several popular social media platforms, with Myspace and Facebook leading the way as the most popular platforms with the Millennial generation in the early 2000s to 2010s. In the past two decades, we have seen different platforms rise and fall in popularity. Certain platforms are more popular with different generations, with Facebook now associated with Baby Boomers and Gen X, Millennials with Instagram, and Gen Z with TikTok.
As social media has evolved over the years, so has its content, What has gone from simply sharing a status or reconnecting with old friends has now grown into influencer culture, follow counts equating social status, and live streaming every aspect of daily life. As this content continues to evolve so has social media’s impact on how we access news. Today, 50% of Gen Z now consume news daily from social media. It has grown into the largest news source for this generation, with breaking news now becoming instantaneous with live streaming.
Many educators have started using social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share educational content, connect with students, and engage in discussions about course material. This has made it easier for students to interact with their peers and teachers and has also made it easier for teachers to stay up-to-date on the latest educational trends and research.
Teaching Gen Z
Teaching Gen Z, also known as iGen or Zoomer generation, requires a unique approach due to their experience growing up in the digital age. This generation is highly connected and accustomed to accessing information and resources online, so it is essential for educators to incorporate technology and digital tools into their daily teaching methods.
One effective way to engage Gen Z students is through interactive and hands-on activities, as this generation tends to learn best through experiential learning. Creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that promotes collaboration and encourages open communication is also essential to teach this generation.
Overall, teaching Gen Z requires a flexible and adaptable approach that considers their unique experiences and learning preferences. By incorporating technology, interactive activities, and experiential learning, educators can effectively engage and educate this digital native generation.
Can TikTok be educational?
TikTok is a social media platform known for its short-form videos, most popular with Gen Z and Millennials. TikTok has grown from teens creating dances to hit songs into one of the biggest social media platforms ever created the app is used by over a billion people. As the platform has evolved many educators and subject matter experts have used the platform to share their knowledge and engage with students in a more interactive and collaborative environment.
In addition to creating educational content, TikTok can also be used as a learning tool. Many users have found that the platform’s algorithm can recommend educational content based on their interests, allowing them to discover new topics and subjects they may not have otherwise come across. Teachers and students may also find TikTok useful for staying up to date with the latest educational trends and research. The platform was particularly useful during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic by helping squash misinformation circulating on the app and online, by quickly removing videos with unsubstantiated information, and by promoting verified medical professional advice.
To see for yourself how to build your educational algorithm we recommend following educational accounts and following educational hashtags such as #learnontiktok and #medtok for the healthcare communities. You will quickly see your account turn into useful tutorials and information from educators all over the globe.
What is #learnontiktok?
The hashtag #learnontiktok refers to a social media trend on TikTok where users can tag educational content and resources. Many of the videos are created by educators or experts in their field, while other videos are made by everyday users who are passionate about a particular subject. The #learnontiktok has over 450 billion views making it one of the most popular hashtags on the app. The trend has been praised for making education more accessible and engaging for people of all ages and anyone with an internet connection. It allows users to learn about a variety of topics in a fun and interactive way, and the short format makes it easy for people to consume the content in their own time.
The rise of the TikTok tutorial
With the rise of the TikTok tutorial has been a phenomenon in recent years, with the social media platform has become the go-to destination for educational content. Tiktok users worldwide can create short-form videos teaching others important life skills such as how to change a tire, DIY tips, specific work industry tips, cooking skills, and much more. One popular TikTok channel created by a science teacher called @mrs.b.tv with over 3 million subscribers was created during the pandemic to teach people fun simple science experiments. These tutorials make an excellent way for people to learn about a wide variety of topics in a fun and interesting way because TikTok videos are so short you can really learn a new life skill in as little as 15 seconds.
How TikTok and schooling can become blended
There are several ways in which TikTok and school can become more blended to create a fun and engaging learning environment. One way is through the use of TikTok tutorials, where educators can assign educational videos as homework or use them as part of a lesson plan to supplement traditional teaching methods. This can be especially useful for teaching Gen Z who learn best through experiential learning and hands-on activities. Another way to blend TikTok and school is by encouraging students to create their own educational content for the platform. One of the best things about the TikTok app is the specific communities it can build such as the healthcare community and the hashtag #medtok a popular trending tag for healthcare workers to share stories and tips. With over 1 billion users on the platform, TikTok has created a powerful algorithm, if you like a particular video it will suggest more videos with similar content, and before you know it your ‘for you’ page will feel curated based on your particular likes and interests.
Creating your own educational algorithm
There are several ways to get educational TikTok videos in your timeline:
- Follow accounts that post educational content: There are many accounts on TikTok that post educational content, and following these accounts is an excellent way of getting more of these videos in your timeline. To find accounts that post educational content, you can search for certain hashtags like #learnontiktok, #teach, #howto and by using specific subject hashtags like #science or #nature.
- Use TikTok’s “For you” page: TikTok’s “For you” page is a personalized feed of content that the app thinks you’ll enjoy based on your interests and interactions. To get more educational content on your “For you” page, you can like, comment on, and share educational videos. That way you’ll be more likely to see this content in your feed.
- Use the search function: TikTok’s search function allows you to search for specific topics or hashtags. By searching for keywords related to education, you can find educational videos on a wide range of topics. From Science and Healthcare to more niche topics like drawing, fitness, and parenting tips.
- Turn on account notifications: If you have found certain accounts that you enjoy the content of and don’t want to miss out on new content they post, you can turn on account notifications so you receive a notification for new videos they post or if they go Live on TikTok.
Can anyone start a TikTok channel?
Yes! Anyone can start a TikTok channel. All you need to do is download the TikTok app and create an account. We spoke earlier about how TikTok is most popular with the Gen Z generation, having said that, you can find people of all ages and generations creating content on TikTok so don’t let that limit you from creating your own content on the platform.
To get started, think about what kind of content you would like to create and who your audience is. You can explore other content creators and find out what topics are popular on the app. Once you have decided what type of content you want to create, you can practice making videos and editing them. This can be a learning curve for some people, especially if you’re not used to talking directly into the camera, however, TikTok is fairly easy to navigate and there are lots of tutorials online you can watch to find out how to make and edit videos. Experiment with different styles of videos and see what does well on the app. You can change direction according to views, comments, and follows. Not everyone on the app will go viral but you can still build a key community of people who like and enjoy your content. Most importantly, have fun and interact with other people.
@deanvaughnclub Medical terminology daily dose #medicalterminology #student #medtok #nursesoftiktok