September 10, 2025
September 10, 2025

Will TikTok replace textbooks in the classroom? 94% of teachers, according to Education Week, are using TikTok to find ideas related to education, from which they create lesson plans, show science experiments, and use the platform to reach students in novel ways. But is this new wave of digital engagement the future of classroom innovation —or a distraction that undermines the integrity of the teaching profession?

Some teachers say it is important to meet students where they are. Using TikTok can help make whatever subjects they study more digestible and adaptable to different types of learners. From science tutorials to historical explainers, the platform can become an informal classroom of its own. Other teachers argue that, while it’s well-intended, apps like TikTok are designed to entertain and keep eyes glued to the screen, not to inform, educate, or nurture critical thought. They also point out data showing how social media apps are linked to harming children’s mental health and other issues.

As another school year begins, two chemistry teachers debate the question: TikTok in the Classroom: Enhancing or Eroding the Teaching Profession?

Breakdown

BIGGEST SHIFT

Undecided
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Arguing ERODE
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Arguing ENHANCE
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