KUALA LUMPUR: Social media has proven to be a vast space for learning new things, some more informative than others.
Helping to ensure pupils get positive form of content outside the classroom by continuing learning engagements on screen, The New Straits Times spoke to teachers who are leading by example with their widely praised TikTok contents.
Ahmad Shahrul Azhan Ibrahim, 47, popularly known on TikTok as @sir_asai, is an English teacher based in Kelantan who helps students learn the language via short-form videos online.
Shahrul, who previously taught at SMK Jeli for 17 years, is currently teaching at SMK Long Ghafar II.
He started utilising social media such as TikTok and Instagram as a learning tool to extend his lessons when the government enforced the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"I noticed a decline in my students' interest in learning (during lockdown).
"So, I tried to figure out what I could do to grab their attention and make them interested in learning again," he said, noting that making use of the popular social media platforms used by the younger generation was impactful.
He started by posting simple videos at first, but eventually allowed his students to join him in creating the learning contents together, where both him and his students enjoyed the process.
"This has led my students to become more interested in learning English. It is great because in Kelantan, English as a language is still lacking in exposure.
"Hence, whenever we use simple learning techniques using social media, a platform that they use every day, it makes them more engaged," said Shahrul.
"The most important thing is that they gained self-confidence through my TikTok videos, and are less afraid to speak in English," he added, highlighting the engagement also led to students performing better in their examinations.
Another teacher who has shown great initiative to make use of social media is Debbie Soh Kim Lian, 37, or more popularly known on TikTok as @cikgudebbie.
She said many students in general did not have the opportunity to attend schools or receive proper knowledge of the school syllabus.
In addition, she wanted to disseminate knowledge and help students, particularly in subjects like mathematics that many tend to dislike.
"I was able to not only attract students from my local area in Shah Alam, but also students from all across Malaysia," said Debbie.
"Social media also has the ability to connect with audiences on a larger scale than ever before, allowing me to reach people from both rural and urban areas in every part of the state. It is very interesting and exciting," she added.
The Mathematics and Science teacher also said social media, when optimised properly, can be seen as a valuable resource for professional growth.
"I can also get a lot of new information and new creative content. It helps me as an educator to enhance my knowledge to teach these younger generations," she said.