Attempting the TikTok

For this week I decided to learn how to create videos using TikTok. I am not new to tiktok, I watch reels on the app all the time… Likely spend more time there than I should! But I haven’t really made and edited videos using the app. (The most I could do was add a video from my camera roll and toss a song behind it! 

First off I had the decision between creating a video with text, photo’s or a 15 second, 60 second, and 10 minute video. I was between the photo option and the 60 second… mostly because I wasn’t sure how long I would need to make my video. But because I am learning to speak in ASL, the video option was easier since there is movement and it doesn’t translate as well through still images! 

Next step is adding some content. Now creating the little portions at a time is great when gathering thoughts and reminding myself what I need to sign next and so I could break in between each saying! But also… Why do I look so awkward and uncomfortable in the transitions? I also used the timer countdown option and you could choose how long it would record before it automatically pauses. So I would set say 6 seconds and it would count down from 3 so I knew when to begin.
This was a nice addition because with ASL many times you require both hands to communicate.

I followed through with these steps until I had about a 30 second video. I next had to decide whether I wanted to record over my voice, hide it with music or take out the noise all together. I decided to remove the sound and add subtitles instead. As I signed I spoke what I was signing. I did this because a lot of individuals that are hard of hearing or hearing impaired are able to read lips. So if I signed something that doesn’t necessarily make sense, mouthing the words may also help. 

There are many ways in which TikTok could be used in the classroom. I think it is a great tool and alternative option for students to choose from if they are completing a project based assignment. The app offers so many ideas from other creators on the app, and there are so many topics and different ways to express their creativity. Whether students are expected to make a blog, tell a story, create a movie trailer, students can create very different products all within one handy little app. 

In the end of all this, this is the video I created. It has been a rough road trying to get it to work where I can add it to the blog so fingers crossed!

My progress for this part of my learning project is learning how to have introductory conversations using ASL.