LAUGH
Not very long ago TikTok was an app mostly used by teens to share trending lip-synch and dance videos. Adults slowly started joining without announcing it to their friends, like it was a dirty little secret. But then, the world got quarantined and adults took over TikTok because making and watching short videos is highly entertaining. Hashtags such as #tiktokmoms, #millenialsoftiktok, #tiktokgenxers, and #teachersoftiktok now rank in the millions.
What teachers should know about TikTok?
You’ve heard your students talking about it but still aren’t quite sure what it is.
- TikTok is a free social media app, formerly called musical.ly.
- Users upload short videos of up to 60 seconds about whatever they want. They can sing, dance, lip-synch, do experiments, teach a skill, share a story, etc.
- Don’t want to create content? That’s okay! You can just watch. (Caution: many adults have lost hours of quarantine to watching videos on this app!)
- Users are supposed to be 13 to join and anyone under 18 is supposed to get parental consent, but, of course, age requirements are not enforced.
- Privacy features allow you to set who can see, share and comment on your content.
Ways teachers use TikTok:
Some teachers use their TikTok account to bond with students. Others use it for connecting with other teachers. Many teachers create accounts just to see what it’s all about, then quickly find themselves making videos of their own!
- Connect with students. Know the latest trends on TikTok, reference some of the jokes or try a dance to earn major cool teacher status.
- Network with other professionals. It’s like having a whole teacher conference in the palm of your hand.
- Enhance learning. Master the art of catchy videos and your students (as well as others from around the world) will be begging to learn from you.
- Share tips, tricks and hacks. Need bulletin board ideas? Book lists? New strategies for teaching algebra? Teachers of TikTok have your back.
- Be part of a community of educators. The more support and camaraderie the better, right?
- Stay in the know about what’s popular with students. You’ll be able to spot issues easier and understand kid lingo more.
- Vent and celebrate in the joys and challenges of teaching. The good, the bad, the hysterical. It’s all there.
- Just for fun. Seriously, it’s just really entertaining!
Teachers to follow on TikTok
1. Bcholeman went viral with a video about why he lets students sleep in his class. It’s had over 28 million views so far.
2. Lessonswithlewis uses humor to share tips for high school classroom management.
3. Desmondfambrini is an education specialist who answers questions people send in such as best practices for teaching children with ADHD or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
4. Schoolhousetok is a collaborative account of high energy videos from teachers on a wide variety of topics, such as staying calm during a crisis.
5. Hellomshudak makes hysterical teacher parody videos, many featuring iced coffee.
6. Thatcrazyteacher shows her hacks for making reusable bulletin board backgrounds, word strips, vocab games, and more.
7. Mr.mctiktok posts funny (and oh, so relatable) videos with song and dance about the challenges of teaching middle school.
8. Ms.weavs shares hacks like making a board for papers without names.
9. Cassie_stephens for your daily dose of art teacher humor!
10. miss_thompson offers tips for buying cool things for your classroom on a Dollar Tree budget.
11. Thatnewteacher has been documenting her journey has a first-year teacher.
12. _lovesimone posts video of the positive messages she shares with her kindergarteners.
13. Mrs_pope dives into “teacher secrets” like “what do teachers really think of standardized testing.
14. Tabwesley uses the popular TikTok songs to teach math.
15. theOGfantasticallyfourth demonstrates concepts like mirror words and whole brain teaching.
16. Signofdatimes features American Sign Language.
17. Mrs_rahlf refers to herself as the “CEO of teacher parodies.”
18. Annakfranco advocates for traumatized students.
19. Milkisoda recently enlisted TikTok to help him track down the teacher who inspired him to become a teacher himself.
20. Mrsstyleshayes proves the struggle to keep up with new technology is real and shares what she learns along the way.
21. Coffeecrazedclassroom dances and lip-synchs with coffee in hand.
22. Ms.ferri110 gathers her co-workers to make funny videos like “Every Middle School Boy.”
23. Jknight5253 shares classroom management tips, such as his gum tax.
24. Mr_tovar who always finds fun ways to connect with his students.
25. And if you don’t yet, come join the Bored Teachers fun on TikTok as well!
TikTok definitely isn’t just for kids! Thousands of teachers have added it to their toolboxes. Check it out and see if it might benefit you. But be prepared to be sucked into hours of entertainment!
