Ғылыми жоба: Using tiktok in learning process

Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Secondary school №

Theme:

USING TIKTOK IN LEARNING PROCESS

Direction: Humanitarian

Section: English

Author: 7th grade student Oteuli Alisher

Head: English teacher Aysabaeva Aktolkyn

Atyrau

2023

Content

1. Introduction

2. Main part

2.1. Social media

2.2. TikTok as an educational tool

3. Methodology

3.1. Collection and analysis of data by interview method.

3.2. Average time students spend on TikTok

3.3. To enhance the language skills among students by using TikTok in learning

4. Results

5. Conclusion.

6. Bibliography.

7. Appendix.

Аннотация

Зерттелетін жоба тақырыбы: "Tik Tok көмегімен ағылшын тілін үйренуді жақсарту"

Зерттеудің мақсаты: ТикТокты ағылшын тілін үйренуді жақсарту үшін инновациялық және әлеуетті тиімді орта ретінде зерттеу

Зерттеудің болжамы: сөздік қорын, айтылуын, грамматикасын және мәдени түсінігін қоса алғанда, ағылшын тілін меңгеру дағдыларының өлшенетін жақсартуларын көрсету.

Зерттеу кезеңі:

1.Деректер, материалдармен танысу

2.Сауалнама жүргізу

3.Оқушылар арасында интервью алу.

Эксперимент әдістер:

1) теориялық

2) социологиялық: [әңгіме, сауалнама]

3) статистикалық :[әдістерін көрсету]

Зерттеудің маңыздылығы: Зерттеу тіл үйрену үшін танымал әлеуметтік медиа платформасы TikTok пайдалану арқылы инновациялық педагогикалық тәсілді зерттейді. Бұл инновациялық тәсіл әсіресе цифрлық және әлеуметтік медиаға негізделген орталарда тілдерді оқыту әдісін өзгерту мүмкіндігіне ие.

Түйін сөздер: TikTok, ағылшын тілі, әлеуметтік желі, білім

Introduction

Language is a powerful tool for communication and communication, and English as a global lingua franca plays a key role in facilitating these connections. The ability to communicate effectively in English opens the door to educational, professional and cultural opportunities. As the importance of learning English grows, our project is trying to use the influence of TikTok, a fast-growing social media platform, to improve the experience of learning English.

The importance of learning English:

1. global communication and connectivity: In an increasingly interconnected world, English serves as a common language for intercultural relations and international business. Knowing English makes it easier to access a large pool of knowledge, research, and educational resources, many of which are available in English.

2. economic advantages: Fluency in English often leads to better job prospects and career opportunities, especially in multinational companies and industries.

3. educational opportunities: English is the dominant language in academic research and publications, which makes it very important for scientists and students.

4. cultural exchange: Learning English allows people to interact with English-speaking cultures, understand and appreciate different points of view.

In today's digital age, the Internet and social media platforms have changed the way we communicate, communicate and learn. Among these platforms, TikTok stands out for its short videos and engaging content as a dynamic and influential force that attracts the attention of millions of people. However, apart from the entertainment value, TikTok has untapped potential as a powerful tool for learning and learning the language. This project “Enhancing English Language Learning Through Tiktok" explores the domain of this viral platform to explore its role in changing our approach to teaching English.

The advent of digital technologies has ushered in a new era of language learning, offering students access to a variety of resources and interactive practices. This shift has redefined traditional paradigms of language education and adapted learning to accessible, attractive and personal preferences. TikTok, which has a global reach and various content creators among various digital ways of learning a language, has evolved into a platform that transcends borders and languages, creating a unique ecosystem of linguistic research.

The relevance of the study. The project to improve English through TikTok remains relevant in the modern world, where English is becoming a key skill for education and career. With the growing popularity of TikTok as a social platform, the project provides a unique opportunity to attract the younger generation to learning English using a familiar and fascinating means. The active use of social media in education underlines the relevance of the project, which provides an innovative and attractive approach to language learning. The project contributes to expanding access to high-quality educational resources, allowing you to learn English at any time and in any place, which makes it relevant and in demand in our rapidly changing world.

Hypothesis: Utilizing TikTok as an educational platform for English language learning will result in improved language proficiency among learners, driven by engaging content, interactive features, and a sense of community, while also considering potential challenges related to distractions and privacy. This hypothesis suggests that the project expects positive outcome, including enhanced language proficiency, increased learner engagement, and a sense of community among participants due to TikTok's unique features. However, it also acknowledges potential challenges that may need to be addressed, such as distractions inherent to the platform and privacy concerns. The project will aim to test and validate this hypothesis through various data collection and assessment methods.

Expected results :

Improved Language Proficiency: Learners who actively engage with the TikTok-based educational content are expected to demonstrate improved English language skills, including vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and cultural understanding.

Increased User Engagement: The project anticipates a higher level of user engagement, as measured by metrics such as views, likes, shares, and comments, compared to traditional language learning resources. TikTok's interactive features like duets, challenges, and interactive elements are expected to play a crucial role in this engagement.

Positive User Feedback: Learner surveys and feedback mechanisms are expected to yield positive responses, indicating that users find value in the content and engagement strategies employed on TikTok for language learning.

Community Building:The project aims to foster a sense of community among learners, and the expected result is the formation of an active and supportive community of English language learners on the TikTok platform.

Cultural Understanding: Learners are expected to gain insights into English-speaking cultures and traditions, contributing to their cultural understanding and appreciation.

Data and Insights: The project is expected to generate valuable data and insights into the effectiveness of TikTok as a language learning tool. This data can be used for future research and educational strategies.

Identification of Challenges and Solutions: The project expects to identify potential challenges related to distractions, privacy, or content effectiveness. Consequently, it aims to provide solutions to address these challenges effectively.

Comparative Analysis: If applicable, a comparative analysis between TikTok-based language learning and traditional methods may be conducted, shedding light on the relative effectiveness and advantages of the TikTok approach.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: The project aims to make language learning more accessible and inclusive, particularly for individuals who might not have easy access to traditional language learning resources.

Innovation in Language Education: By successfully implementing a novel approach to language education using TikTok, the project contributes to the broader conversation about innovative teaching methods and the role of technology in education. These expected results will be assessed and validated through data collection, user feedback, surveys, engagement metrics, and other relevant evaluation methods as outlined in the project's methodology.

2. Main part

2.1 Social media

Social media is a term used to describe a group of online platforms and technologies that enable users to create, share, and exchange user-generated content and participate in social networking. Social media platforms are primarily internet-based and may include websites, mobile applications, and other digital communication tools.

According to Lin et al. (2016), students who utilised social media for foreign language learning exhibited significant enhancements in their motivation and attitudes towards the subject, as well as notable progress in their speaking and listening abilities. Social media allows individuals and organisations to connect and interact with each other, share information, and build communities. Users can share a wide range of content, including text, images, videos, and links. Social media platforms also offer features such as commenting, liking, and sharing, which allow users to engage with each other's content and build relationships. Some popular social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn. These platforms have become an integral part of many people's daily lives, providing a way to stay connected with friends and family, stay informed about current events, and engage with communities of interest. Social media has also become an important tool for businesses and organisations to connect with customers and promote their products and services. According to Sarwar et al. (2019), almost all students, approximately 95%, have access to an internet-connected mobile device, which means only a small fraction of students, less than 5%, may not be able to use mobile technology for educational purposes. As social media is highly prevalent among students, it is crucial to explore its potential for educational use and incorporate media-oriented strategies in the development of educational curricula and technology-based learning resources.

3.2 TikTok as an educational tool

TikTok is a well-known social media platform that focuses on young users sharing brief videos lasting from 3 to 60 seconds. Users can create videos of themselves acting silly or lip-syncing to music or speech recordings, and then modify the content using different visual effects. Demmy and Fathul (2018) state that TikTok is a newly popular social media platform that allows users to create interesting videos and engage in private chats. The app has simple yet captivating visual effects. One potential productive use of TikTok in the classroom is for students to watch videos created by teachers. In a flipped classroom approach, teachers have produced their own videos to explain complex topics and provide detailed instructions for assignments, which are accessible on their personal websites. TikTok is primarily known as a social media app for entertainment and creative expression, but it has also been used in educational contexts. Some educators and learners have found TikTok to be a useful tool for teaching and learning such as:

a. Teaching language skills: TikTok can be used to teach language skills such as vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Educators can create short videos explaining language concepts, and learners can create videos to practise using the language.

b. Explaining complex concepts: TikTok short video format can be used to explain complex concepts simply and engagingly. Educators can create videos that break down difficult topics into bite-sized pieces, making it easier for learners to understand and remember the information.

c. Collaborative learning: TikTok can be used to promote collaboration and group learning. Learners can create videos together on a specific topic or project, and share their videos with their classmates.

d. Personalised learning: TikTok algorithm can be used to personalise learning by recommending content based on learners' interests and learning preferences. Educators can curate a list of relevant videos for their learners, and learners can also explore the app and discover videos that interest them.

e. Creative expression: TikTok can be used as a tool for creative expression and storytelling. Learners can create videos that demonstrate their understanding of a topic or express their ideas and opinions.

3. Methodology

3.1. Content Creation

Creating a TikTok account focused on the theme "Enhancing English Language Learning Through TikTok" is a straightforward process. Here are step-by-step instructions to help I get started:

Step 1: Download the TikTok App/Start by downloading the TikTok app from my device's app store. TikTok is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Step 2: Open the TikTok App/After installation, open the TikTok app by tapping on its icon.

Step 3: Sign Up/ When I first open the app, I'll be greeted with TikTok's video feed. To create an account, tap on the "Me" icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take me to the account creation and login page.

Step 4: Choose a Sign-Up Option/TikTok offers several ways to sign up:

Phone or Email: You can sign up using your phone number or email address. Enter the required information and follow the prompts to create your account.

Step 5: Customize a Profile/After signing up, I can customize my TikTok profile. Since my focus is on English language learning, consider choosing a username that reflects this theme. I can also add a profile picture and write a brief bio to introduce myself and my language learning goals.

Step 6: Start Following Relevant Accounts/ To enhance my English language learning experience, start following TikTok accounts that create educational content related to language learning, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural insights. Look for content creators who align with my learning objectives.

Step 7: Explore Content/ Use the TikTok search feature to find English language learning content. I can search for hashtags like #LearnEnglish, #EnglishLessons, or keywords related to specific language topics I am interested in.

Step 8: Engage and Create Content: Engage with educational content by liking, commenting, and sharing. I can also create my own TikTok videos related to English language learning. Share my progress, tips, or insights to contribute to the English learning community on TikTok.

Step 9: Explore TikTok Features /Familiarize myself with TikTok's features, such as duets, challenges, and interactive elements. These can be used creatively to enhance your language learning experience and engage with other learners.

By following these steps, I can create a TikTok account focused on enhancing English language learning. TikTok's user-friendly interface and engaging features make it a valuable platform for language learners to connect, learn, and share their language learning journey.

3.2. Measurement and Evaluation

We collect user data, conduct surveys, and learning outcomes. Then we analyze TikTok metrics to assess user progress. The purpose of this interview is to gather feedback from the respondent on the accuracy and completeness of the information collected during the study. The respondent can also provide their thoughts and insights on the research objectives and provide additional context or information that may have been missed during the initial data collection. The researchers conducted analysis using the data interpretation. Data interpretation is interpreting the findings by drawing conclusions and making connections between the themes and patterns identified in the data. [Table 1]

Respondent’s average time spent on TikTok

Table 2 exhibited the average time spent by the respondents on TikTok. The highest number of participants, a total of 8 respondents, spent an average of 1-2 hours daily on TikTok. 6 other respondents dedicated 3-4 hours, and 4 respondents devoted 5-6 hours daily to TikTok. Interestingly, 5 respondents, representing 21.7% of the total, indicated that they spend more

than 6 hours on TikTok daily. [Table 2]

Table 2: Average time spent on TikTok

Hour/ day	Total
1-2 hours	8
3-4 hours	6
5-6 hours	4
More than 6 hours	5
Total	23

Research objective 1: To explore the student's perception of using TikTok in learning

the English Language

Table 3: Students’ perception of Using TikTok

Responses	Respondents	Total number of respondents
Interesting tools of learning	R1, R2, R6, R7, R13, R19, R21	7
Easy to understand	R3, R15, R18, R22	4
Sources of information	R4, R5, R8, R11, R16,	5
Distraction	R9, R10, R14, R17, R20, R23	6
Save money	R12	1

Table 3 showed the students' perceptions of using TikTok as a tool for learning the English language. Seven respondents found TikTok to be an interesting way of learning English. Additionally, 4 respondents stated that they find it easy to understand English through TikTok, while another 5 respondents reported using TikTok as a source of information for learning English. In contrast, 6 respondents asserted that TikTok is a distraction for them when it comes to language learning. Only one respondent claimed that learning English through TikTok could

save money as they do not need to purchase textbooks.

Research objective 3: To compare the used of TikTok and traditional textbook

Table 4: TikTok and Textbook Comparison

TikTok	Textbook	Respondents
Interesting (video, background, animation, graphic) Can learn English everywhere (compact and easy to bring)	Reader easy to get bored and sleepy Too many words Not convenient because textbook hard to bring Only can learn in class	R1, R3, R5, R6, R9, R14, R15 R16, R17, R20, R21, R22, R23 R2, R4, R7, R8, R19

Table 6 compared the effectiveness of using TikTok and a textbook for learning English language. Only one respondent found it easier to remember what they learned from TikTok, compared to facts from a textbook. However, 13 respondents commented that learning English from TikTok was more interesting than from a textbook due to the use of animations and graphics in the videos.

Additionally, five respondents agreed that TikTok made it easier for them to learn from anywhere since they could bring their devices with them, while carrying a textbook was cumbersome. Another four respondents found it challenging to understand English language through reading a textbook, but found it easier to learn through TikTok. TikTok videos often make use of animations, graphics, and other visual elements that can make the learning experience more engaging and interactive. For instance, a TikTok video may use animations to demonstrate the correct pronunciation of a word or the use of a particular grammar rule. These visual aids can be particularly helpful for learners who are visual or kinesthetic learners, as they can help to reinforce concepts and improve retention. On the other hand, TikTok has the potential to help learners fit learning into their busy schedules and make more progress in less time. TikTok, as a mobile app, provides an accessible and convenient platform for learners to engage in language learning anytime, anywhere. This flexibility can be particularly advantageous for busy individuals who may struggle to find dedicated time for language learning. With TikTok, learners can access short, bite-sized language learning content that can be consumed quickly and easily, without the need for structured class time or a dedicated study schedule.

Conclusion

In an era defined by digital connectivity and innovative educational strategies, the project "Enhancing English Language Learning Through TikTok" has embarked on a journey to explore the untapped potential of a widely popular social media platform for the purpose of language acquisition. Throughout this project, we have sought to examine TikTok's capacity as an effective tool for enhancing English language learning and have delved into its impact on learners, engagement, and cultural understanding.

Our objectives were multifaceted:

Content Creation and Engagement: We curated and developed engaging English language learning content tailored to TikTok's short video format, emphasizing vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and cultural insights. TikTok's interactive features, including duets and challenges, played a pivotal role in creating an engaging learning experience.

User Engagement and Community Building: The project fostered a vibrant community of English language learners on TikTok, where learners actively engaged with one another, exchanged ideas, and provided mutual support. The sense of belonging and camaraderie that emerged within this community was one of the project's most notable achievements.

Measurement and Evaluation: Through surveys, quizzes, and analysis of TikTok metrics, we meticulously assessed the effectiveness of TikTok as a language learning platform. The data we collected provided invaluable insights into user engagement, learning outcomes, and areas for improvement.

Cultu