Just One More Teacher TikTok...

Have you ever opened TikTok or Instagram looking for one specific thing and somehow ended up watching videos that had nothing to do with what you originally searched for? I know I have.

This week's readings made me think about how much algorithms influence what we see online (Bucher, 2017). I like to think I am choosing the content that appears on my feed, but algorithms play a much bigger role than I realized. As a teacher, I often search for classroom ideas, organization tips, and activities for my students. Sometimes I find exactly what I need, but other times I find myself looking at completely different content that the platform thinks I will enjoy.

One thing that stood out to me was the idea that people change their behavior based on what they think the algorithm wants. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I do this too. If I like, save, or interact with certain posts, I know I will probably see more of that content in the future.

As I prepare to move into third grade next year, I am excited to use social media to find new ideas and inspiration. At the same time, these readings reminded me to think more critically about how information appears on my feed and how algorithms shape what I discover online.

Reference

Bucher, T. (2017). The algorithmic imaginary: Exploring the ordinary affects of Facebook algorithms. Information, Communication & Society, 20(1), 30–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1154086