Teacher TikTok- The New PD?

By: Lisa Bohaty 

East Butler Public Schools

By now everyone has heard of TikTok. But have you gone down the TikTok rabbit hole? Have you ever found yourself losing hours of the day just watching TikTok? Many teachers have turned to TikTok as a learning tool. A way to gain glimpses of classrooms around the world.  We all consume bite size information all day. TikTok allows you to do just that as you watch micro lessons that can give you new tips and tricks you can use in your classroom the next day. Will TikTok replace our professional development we currently have? No, probably not. But it’s a great way to learn new information in small pieces. And it’s so easy to share with others. 

Whether the videos are educational or just for fun, teachers and students have turned to TikTok as a way to communicate. TikTok gained its popularity for classroom use during the pandemic. Teachers across the country turned to TikTok as a way to reach kids while schools were closed. First teachers just used it as a way to communicate and then it became a real platform to teach students. Teachers started using TikTok to teach grammar lessons and the proper ways to use “there, their and they’re”. Other teachers used TikTok to teach math lessons and tips about how to cross multiply. Teachers have even used TikTok to take students on virtual field trips. Parents even turned to TikTok to help their struggling students who were at home during the pandemic. 

So, if you are still unsure of how TikTok can help you be a better teacher, I challenge you to download the app and give it a try. 

To do this you simply follow these 3 easy steps: 

1.  Go to your App store and download the TikTok app.  
2. Create a username and password.  
3. Find a comfy spot and let the learning begin. 

Once you have it downloaded and are unsure of where to begin. 

Go to the microscope or search and type Teachers of TikTok. Use the hashtags  #teach #tiktokteacher #teachersoftiktok #learning #teaching. Recently I was at a professional development training and the presenter, Lindsay Zilly, shared a list of teachers to follow on TikTok. Click here for the list. This will give you a great start of who to follow based on what content you want to consume. When you are searching for new content and followers, narrow your search and add your grade or subject you teach. So, if you teach Kindergarten search “Teachers of TikTok Kindergarten”. You will begin to see other teachers who have made videos about your grade or subject.  

A couple more tips to navigate TikTok, if you enjoy a video click on the heart to the right. When you are done watching a video simply swipe up and a new one will appear. If you don’t want to watch a video simply swipe up. If you would like to follow a specific person you can click on their name and then click Follow. When you follow someone, you will be able to see more of their videos.  

So go ahead and get comfy on your couch and open your TikTok and let the learning begin!