On 6th Oct, SUSS School of Science and Technology (SST) team was at Kampong Chai Chee CC teaching Tik Tok creation to over 120 East Coast residents (mostly seniors) in preparation for My East Coast Community Video Competition. Our volunteer team comprised SST faculty and admin staff, associate faculty, and Digital Media students.
A significant aspect of teaching Tik Tok is to empower and enrich older adults. Learning new skills help to boost one’s confidence, cognitive function and happiness. Irene Soh (1st Year Digital Media Student) concurred, “The joy of helping our seniors learn new technology gave me a sense of fulfilment. Their determination in learning at any age gave me encouragement that lifelong learning is possible. The look of happiness on their faces when they can accomplish a task is my biggest reward of the day.”
SMS Tan Kiat How - TikTok Workshop in the afternoon
Bridging the generational divide is one of the most compelling reasons for our students to teach Tik Tok creation to older adults who might feel left out in the age of new social media platforms. By teaching Tik Tok, it is an opportunity for different generations to engage with one another in a meaningful way. Muhammad Amirul (Final Year Digital Media Student) shared his heartwarming experience, “Given the passing of my grandmother, it was comforting to connect with the elderly participants listening to their stories and rants. I would be happy to volunteer again, as a way of giving back to the school and the community.”
Many people assume that older adults are not so savvy with technology and new social media. We seek to challenge such societal stereotypes about aging and technology. On the ground, we were greeted by the enthusiasm and optimism from the participants to learn more about basic video editing, adding effects, filters, and music, basic internet safety, and how to create engaging content. Travis See (Digital Media Minor student) shared “Signing up for the event, I did not really know what to expect as I have not done much volunteering in the past. However, my worries quickly faded when I saw the infectious energy of the participants. I am truly glad that I managed to experience this event, and will be looking forward to many more.” Learning Tik Tok video making and social media trends sharpen minds and elderly can use this platform to impart their knowledge, and share personal stories with a larger audience. Their presence adds diversity to the content arena. The range of content seniors do for their Tik Tok is so diverse, including their travels pursuits, learning new skills, sharing recipes, nature walks and recording memoirs. In our workshop, a proud grandpa was trying to make a Tik Tok video from photos of his grandson, and you could tell that it was his way of expressing his love for the boy.
Chew Keng Hao (SST AF) gave a quick introduction of Tik Tok to the residents
It was an immensely satisfying experience to see a senior’s sense of accomplishment after they made their first video and watch their confidence grow as they become more comfortable with the technology and navigate the Tik Tok app with ease. Teaching Tik Tok to elderly is not only about content creation, it helps seniors to understand more about technology, enhance digital literacy, relive fond memories, and give the elderly a voice through their content.
SST Faculty doing a demo to the residents
There were a few younger residents in the workshop. Prasana, 12-year-old boy, shared that he is already a YouTuber and would like to be a TikToker too. Tik Tok teaching can foster intergenerational connections, and Wena Chan (Digital Media student) expressed, “Volunteering for teaching the elderly at the Tik Tok event was such a treat, it was a blessing to be able to chat with the elderly and to guide them along.”
Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How (Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of National Development) commended on the residents’ efforts to learn making Tik Tok videos, and encouraged them to join the Tik Tok video competition to use their new digital skill to make more videos.
By offering time, patience and encouragement, SST volunteers have this wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact to transform lives, one video at a time.
Learn more about Digital Media: https://www.suss.edu.sg/programmes/detail/bsc-digital-media