In recent months, it has become evident that TikTok is no longer a social media platform that’s full of content that has absolutely no value. Not that this should be the main purpose of social media per se, but it definitely benefits from having some more of it.
TikTok has been receiving a lot of hate for being that one social media platform that’s full of nothing but dancing and internet personalities. But there has been a rise in educational content, as per Lindsay Fleming, Bill Nye, and the National Down Syndrome Society, as well as more wholesome content, like today’s story of students turning on their cameras in Zoom.
So, TikTok now has a new trend—believe it or not, a more wholesome one that helps teachers
Madison Morani posted a video where she turns on her camera in a Zoom lecture
Image credits: madisonnoellemoran
So, a new trend has been rising among the TikTok community. Since TikTok is primarily a young people’s platform, it is normal to see many of them still in school. And, as you may know, the coronavirus is still a thing, meaning that many are attending classes over the internet.
And as it turns out, it is often the case that the teachers are the only ones with their camera on. Well, in light of this, a number of TikTokers started posting videos of how they are turning on their cameras so that the teachers and professors won’t feel lonely and to make classes more human, given that everyone’s urged to keep a distance.
She does so because her teacher is practically staring at a bunch of black squares on Zoom
Image credits: madisonnoellemoran
Image credits: madisonnoellemoran
Madison Moran, a Michigan State Uni sophomore, was one of the first to kick off this trend. She started off her academic year online and noticed how none of her classmates had turned on their cameras in any of the Zoom classes.
About a quarter of an hour into one of her lectures, she decided to brave it and to turn on her camera. As soon as she did, one little live face popped up in a sea of black boxes and various Zoom avatars. Soon after, you can see how her professor’s face starts shining bright with a smile.
So, as soon as she turned on her camera...
Image credits: madisonnoellemoran
... she saw how happy the teacher was by such a small gesture
Image credits: madisonnoellemoran
"At least if she sees one face, she can communicate with someone and not feel like she's just talking to a blank screen," she told Insider.
And such a small action has led to some very positive results. Moran continued to say that just turning on her own camera changed the tone of the classroom. This simple action encouraged other students to join in on the camera fun and the number grew to around 10 people who always turn on their cameras. Besides this, they have become more engaged in the class, and the teacher has been laughing more.
Another video popped up where a teacher was explaining why having the camera on is important
Image credits: arianadaneshmand
In the middle of his explanation, one student turned on her camera, which made him super happy
Image credits: arianadaneshmand
Another video also popped up by arianadaneshmand of a teacher explaining that Zoom classes with everyone off-camera become a bit of an emotional burden as the teacher doesn’t get enough face-to-face interaction. Right as he says it, a student turns on her camera, and the teacher immediately smiles and compliments the student on her sweater and for choosing a good school.
In yet another video, TikToker itsmadimay shows how her forestry class has just 8 students out of 21—usually the case there, and none turn on their cameras. So, a double blow to the professor. Seeing that, she mustered up her courage and turned on her camera to keep the professor company.
Yet another video surfaced of this, one by Madi May who was super nervous to do so
Image credits: itsmadimay
She really loves the class and the professor, but rarely do students show up, let alone with a camera on
Image credits: itsmadimay
Now, this might sound amazing and all, but some argue that there may be a serious reason why students don’t turn on their cameras. Perhaps the students don’t want to show off where or how they live; others might not be comfortable being on camera when a prankster classmate decides to crop out their face and do something bad with it. So, teachers ought not to be pushy about it, but merely encourage students.
Image credits: itsmadimay
In this particular instance, there were only 8 students out of 21, which you can guess would make any teacher sad
Image credits: itsmadimay
This soon went viral, with all of the above mentioned videos collectively garnering 11.3 million views and over 2.4 million likes, as well as thousands upon thousands of shares. The trends also started making headlines online.
Image credits: itsmadimay
So, she turned on her camera to keep the teacher company
Image credits: itsmadimay
What are your thoughts on this? Do you turn on your camera for Zoom classes? Let us know in the comment section below!