Education

Source: Dana Galo I TikTok School

One of the most interesting features of TikTok’s algorithm is that there are countless different genres on the app. Users find themselves on the side of TikTok that most reflects their interests, where the videos on their For You Pages focus on those certain subjects or themes. For example, some people are heavily on parenting TikTok, true crime TikTok, dance TikTok, comedy TikTok, home remodeling TikTok, and so, so many more. As a result of all of these different and broad subjects on TikTok, users get exposed to so much more than they do on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, because people only see content from the accounts they follow. A somewhat surprisingly popular genre is education TikTok, used primarily by teachers and students to share information. These days, when we ask children how they learned or heard of something, they explain that TikTok was the source. A tweet went viral over the last few months in which the user described that if they are discussing some new knowledge they came across, citing that they read an article on the topic, the reality is that they actually just saw a TikTok. Since there are endless corners on the app, it becomes effortless to learn some new things. There are virtually videos on every subject imaginable, providing tips and tutorials on a plethora of subject matter.

While the traditional education system makes students actively search for information to learn more about a topic of interest or be at the mercy of their teachers as the gatekeepers of their educational journey, TikTok has made it easy to spread and access information. Teachers are able to use the app to spread information outside of the classroom. A popular account with the username @IAmThatEnglishTeacher has amassed a following of 1.5 million as a result of posting grammar lessons on TikTok to help out students who make common grammatical mistakes. #LearnOnTikTok has over 207 billion views right now while #EducationTikTok has more than 575 million. These numbers demonstrate a tremendous demand for even more educational content with massive exposure.

One of the compelling features of learning on the trendy app is that there is no pressure and in turn, no consequences. People are gaining knowledge on the app by choice, and the fact that it is voluntary makes users actively engage with the content, rather than carelessly memorize facts for a class or an exam. Additionally, the quick videos are perfectly suited for the short attention spans of Gen Z for a quick lesson that often continues into a second part in another video. Even Bill Nye the Science Guy has joined the TikTok science space by regularly posting short science experiments and lessons to generate up to 44 million views on his videos. Other popular subjects in this form of micro learning are health and wellness, art, cooking, and history.

One of the reasons that learning on TikTok is so powerful and popular is because the educational videos come from users who demonstrate their passion for the subject matter and explain the content in compelling and conversational ways. We’re going to see this new wave of learning continue, as we see more than just tutorials or ‘life hacks,’ but actual advice, tips, and lessons.