Illiteracy rates among South African children have risen to 81%, with eight in ten struggling to read by age ten. Michaela Martins is tackling this crisis head-on by using TikTok to make learning fun and accessible. Through her lively personality and creative content, she turns complex topics into engaging lessons that captivate young minds.
What inspired you to start creating educational content on TikTok?
My real-life students! My Grade 10 class back in 2021 told me I’d be great at it because of my personality and energy. I already loved creating digital content, making online lessons, and filming short videos for my learners during Covid-19, so it felt like a natural next step. Seeing other amazing creators on TikTok also inspired me.
What role do you think platforms like TikTok play in shaping modern education and providing accessible learning opportunities?
I don’t think we ever anticipated the role social media would play in education. I’m both overwhelmed and excited by the growth of platforms like TikTok that allow us to reach learners where they already are. The content is easy to digest – eye-catching, exciting, and energetic – unlike traditional presentations. It’s the bite-sized content that truly engages learners. As much as we may not want to admit it, learners are drawn to short-form content that grabs their attention. It sparks interest, simplifies complex topics, and presents them in a unique way that simply can’t be achieved in traditional lessons.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned from your followers or viewers?
The impact I can have on someone I’ve never met, or someone who lives far away, is incredible. I can change their outlook on a subject and spark interest in people who never thought they’d enjoy it. That’s both exciting and unexpected!
How do you balance entertainment and education in your videos, and do you think it’s important to maintain that balance for learning to be effective?
Finding the right balance can be tricky, but the entertainment aspect often grabs viewers from the start. By adding humour or something relatable and pairing it with educational content, I can keep things engaging. Sometimes I’ll create one video focused purely on education and another with more entertainment to keep it fresh. This approach helps me grow my following while maintaining a balance between education and fun. TikTok thrives as a learning platform when content is both engaging and entertaining – learners are drawn to content that captures their attention!
What is one heartwarming message you’ve received from your community on TikTok that made you smile and motivated you to keep creating educational content?
This is a tough one because I’ve received so many amazing messages from students over the years. Some have told me they were considering changing subjects, or that they went from failing to scoring 80% in a subject because of my content. Others say they look forward to learning new concepts because of the way I present them. Those messages are incredibly heartwarming and keep me going!
What advice would you give to other creators who want to make a positive impact through education on platforms like TikTok?
Be yourself and be consistent! When you’re true to your authentic self and find the right balance between entertainment and education, you’ll win over your audience and make a massive impact. Students are incredibly grateful for content creators in education who take the time to simplify concepts, break them down into bite-sized pieces, make them manageable, and present them in an exciting and entertaining way. So, just be yourself and stay consistent – because consistency definitely pays off.
