Please enjoy and share this “Choose your own adventure” using Youtube lesson plan that I made with my friends Georgette Sumners and Noah Forbes!
Here is a link to the lesson plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hFusk8F3r5Xkrui0Jp1TWAwAz0v09mOjwOUWQ0bvK0w/edit?usp=sharing
I would say that in order to create a successful professional TikTok you need 2 things.
TikTok is a platform with an audience that seeks entertainment but also has a short attention span. I say this because of the short length of the videos. With that being said, it is essential to pull the viewer in with elements of fun (music, dancing, acting, etc.) and then keep them there with clear and concise information. Moreover, beyond simply posting videos it is important to engage in the teacher community by commenting and responding to fellow users on the platform. By doing this, you are not only learning from fellow creators but expanding your PLN at the same time.
What is Tiktok?
Tiktok is a short-form video style Social Media website. It is a place where people of all ages from all around the world can connect and enjoy each other’s content. New trends are constantly being created that provide creators with fun and engaging ways to interact with others on the platform. Tiktok has been a concern among parents and users as the data collected from the app has been affiliated with the Chinese government, however, after a possible ban in 2020 Trust and Safety policies have been put into place. Overall, Tiktok is a fun and interactive Social Media platform that has caught the attention of everyone from children to major corporations alike and I personally enjoy spending time on the app.
How could I use it as a professional?
Tiktok provides yet another way to connect with and engage my students. From music/dance to life hacks to lesson plans, Tiktok has it all. I can easily see myself creating activities were I ask my students to create Tiktoks (or Tiktok type videos) about things that they are personally interested in. Not only is there possibilities for endless cross-curricular instruction, but it is also a bunch of fun!
How can I find people on Tiktok to become part of my PLN (Professional Learning Network)?
I find that the easiest way to connect with people/communities on the app is through hash tags. You can search for creators based on your location or your areas of interest. Here are a few of my favorites:
#teachersoftiktok
#teachertok
#classroommanagement
#firstyearteacher
Here are 3 education-themed blogs that I recommend checking out!
Blog 1 – https://www.trevormackenzie.com/posts
This is Trevor Mackenzie’s blog. Trevor Mackenzie is a BC educator with a passion for Inquiry-Based education. He has been a trail-blazer in modernizing education and sharing his wisdom of Inquiry with other educators. In his blog, Mackenzie shares his current ways of sharing the Inquiry-Based mindset and how to get involved in the education community.
Blog 2 – https://inclusionbc.org/blog/
This blog is from Inclusion BC. It shares up-to-date information and resources in relation to inclusive teaching in BC. As a pre-service teacher, I find it intimidating but also exciting and essential to meet the needs of all my students. By following blogs like this and hearing about people’s experiences in the education space, I will be able to learn about how I can better adjust my practice to welcome all people into my classroom.
Blog 3 – https://luudisk.com/
This is Jo Chrona’s blog. Jo Chrona is an education consultant, speaker, and author, supporting professional learning opportunities in Indigenous education and anti-racism. As a pre-service teacher looking ahead to my career in the field, I know that I have a lot of unlearning to do when it comes to what/how I was taught in school growing up compared to what/how I want to teach my students going forward. With that, Jo Chrona’s blog is a must-follow. She posts insightful posts from her perspective as an indigenous person that inspire me to rethink what I want my classroom to look/sound/feel like.
