TikTok Takeover
Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has almost reached the same user base numbers as Youtube and Meta platforms. TikTok reached 1.92 billion users in 2023, and is expected to reach 2 billion users by the end of 2024. And teens use it for more than just trending dances! In a digital research study completed by researchers at Study.com, 1,000 American students were interviewed on their uses of TikTok for educational purposes, and 1,000 TikToks were analyzed based on their education hashtags. Before selecting their TikTok video sample, they did a preliminary survey of 4,156 American students to see if students used TikTok for school.
Out of 4,156 students surveyed, 1,000 students said they used the app for education purposes. The researchers conducted a semi-structured interview with the 1,000 student participants to determine how and why they used TikTok for education purposes. Then 1,000 Tiktoks were sourced based on their education related hashtag. They recorded the topics and concepts that were covered in those sampled videos to determine if there were patterns and trends on what was being discussed.
How Students are Using TikTok for Education
Students are using social media platforms, especially TikTok, as a source for homework help and education support. TikTok is unique in that it allows educators to share knowledge in new and creative ways. It gives analytics that provide educators information about attention span, age range of viewers, what topics are more important than others based on views and likes, and the percentage of viewers based on nationality. With Ontario Virtual School students being located around the world, TikTok offers an opportunity for students to comment and share on a common platform.
Ontario Virtual School on TikTok
Ms. Cuzner is the TikTok creator for Ontario Virtual School and she has used her knowledge on digital learning to turn key lessons into short videos. Knowing that students on the app can have a short attention span, her videos are no longer than 60 seconds!
Some of these key lesson topics include how to write a thesis, how to state an argument, different study methods, writing and reading strategies, and other quick tips that can help one’s learning process.
One of the most viewed videos on the Ontario Virtual School TikTok account is explaining the PQ4R Study Method. In 48 seconds, Ms. Cuzner explains that the PQ4R Study Method stands for Preview, Question, Read, Reflect, Recite, and Review and briefly goes into an example of how to do each one. She explains that this common study method can be applied to many subjects, so it’s a great tool to have in your toolbelt.
To watch more quick and handy school tip videos, follow @OntarioVirtualSchool on TikTok, and don’t forget to like and share!