Can we learn using TikTok? The widely popular social media app that posts short videos ventured into the realm of education back in June 2020. They committed a USD 15 mn investment across Europe to begin #LearnOnTikTok, their long-term initiative to create “a whole ecosystem of education content.” But, has it really taken off and — more importantly — is it effective?

Viewership numbers for #LearnOnTikTok content are soaring: The learning hashtags that allow students to find educational content directly pulled in over 870.5 bn views in Egypt as of today, and #TipsAndTricks (hashtags presents videos in your location or popular within your region) amassed significant attention accumulating 61.1 bn views — a sizable increase since 2021, when #LearnOnTikTok had 1.89 bn views and #TipsAndTricks stood at c.113 mn.

As of this year, TikTok has launched another in-app educational hub: In March, TikTok introduced #schoolready, a learning hub merging entertainment with education that focuses on high school education and exam preparation. It features a dedicated landing page offering tutoring content across multiple subjects for Grade 10 to Grade 12 students. They’ve teamed up with e-learning platforms like Abwaab, Noon Academy, and Nafham in Saudi Arabia and Egypt to revolutionize learning by keeping up with the new generation trends and making learning more interactive.

But what we can see is that TikTok videos seem to be using the precepts of microlearning. This teaching strategy bodes well with TikTok’s formula — it focuses on giving information in short 3-5 minute segments which can cater to a generation whose attention span doesn’t extend beyond 15-20 minutes, or employees in a corporation who have little time to spare for corporate training.

But is the content actually relevant?The videos found using the hashtag have content that ranges from how to draw a mouse, how to make carbonara pasta, and a few videos by Bill Nye the Science Guy — which goes to suggest that finding learning content on the platform may need a bit more refining.

“[Tik Tok] is no more harmful than any other social media platform, it just has the appeal of this younger generation, and we’re facing the constant renewal of technological input within education and I guess TikTok is a ‘little bit sexy’ at the moment but it won’t be for longer,” Lynn Howard-Mitchell, who teaches English, tells Enterprise.

TikTok’s search engine has its advantages — but there are potential risks. The app’s algorithm is designed to keep users within the app, limiting their ability to fact-check information from external sources. This raises concerns about the spread of misinformation and disinformation on the platform.

But they say they have it under control: “Our Community Guidelines make clear that we do not allow harmful misinformation and will remove it from the platform. We partner with independent fact-checkers who help us to assess the accuracy of content,” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement. But in the end, if it were to be used as a tool or means of enhancing participation in students’ learning, Howard-Mitchell adds that the only way to manage it would be by implementing a protocol of use.

Agree to disagree? A research report has found that out of 540 videos, nearly 20% presented as search results on TikTok contain misinformation on topics such as covid-19 vaccines and health inquiries.

There are threats to the educational system and users in the long run: It’s no surprise that each individual has a certain learning style, with research indicating that visual learning is 83% more effective than text-based methods. Another study also reported a decrease in human attention span to eight seconds, which pushed many entertainment platforms to adapt by shortening their content as much as possible.

…which explains the reduced attention span extended among kids and teens struggling to concentrate in classrooms — this proliferation of screen time during the pandemic, particularly among the covid generation, aids short attention spans and worsens mental health issues.

Nevertheless, some institutions have already started incorporating TikTok into their learning. In Heriot-Watt Global College Malaysia, Natasya Saat, an assistant professor of Accounting has created TikTok videos for two semesters — which cover key points from various lessons. Out of 56 respondents, around 80% found the videos useful and suggested they be used as teaching materials.

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