What would you think if a student emailed you about this...

[HippyKayYay]

I'm a (very) mature student on a STEM MSc. One of the lecturers keeps on referring to us (as in the students on a particular MSc programme) as 'the Tik-Tok generation'. This is in reference to a particular assignment, that assumes we know how to make videos because we're of said generation.

It pisses me off. Firstly I'm not of that generation (in fact, I'm older than the lecturer). But also because it's just generally ageist and not ok to assume a group of people are of any identity (i.e. not ok to refer to us as if we were all men, all white, all whatever). I also have a sub-irk that this generalisation is allowing them to assume that we have particular skills (making audiovisual media) that is not related to the degree programme, not an entry requirement, and isn't something they're 'teaching' us. Yet they are assessing us on it. But that really is a sub-irk because I do know how to make a basic video.

Anyway - how would you feel if you were said lecturer and you got an email from me asking you not to refer to us as the 'Tik Tok generation', nor to make any generalised assumptions about the group based on characteristic that are protected by the equality act? I don't want to be that student... And in all other ways this lecturer is a nice person!

I'm not the only 'mature' student, btw, although I am definitely the oldest (by probably at least a decade, if not more) on my course... But I'm probably not the only one who doesn't feel like they're of the 'tik tok generation'

If one of my students had an issue with me or with something I said I would want to hear it face to face so that we could talk through the issues, I could clarify and make sure I properly understood your points.

So if you were my student I'd prefer if you made a time for a tutorial rather than an email.

do raise the point. either face-to-face or email is fine. if an email, you could make it more polite by making it a longer email that explains your thoughts (like you've done here) rather than a 3 liner.

I'd be a bit annoyed if I was the lecturer, sorry. She is probably responding to requests to try to connect with students and set assignments in creative ways that appeal to their generation (assuming the majority of students on the course are you adults).

Things like a video assignment might be a great way to engage the younger students, do you want her to drop it from the course next year in case someone else complains that they are too old to be expected to make a TikTok? Wouldn't you be more offended if she offered to help you with it because of your age? She can't win there.

Did you actually read the same post as me? The problem isn't about having to make a video...

I’d also raise with them in person, and that way you can hopefully make it a friendly (jokey?) conversation but still get your point across.

I’d let it go. I get why you’re narked off a little bit but don’t make it worse.

It's fine to raise this, but I would be very careful with your wording. If you start comparing it to all white, all male etc like you did in the OP then the lecturer may assume you're going to make a formal complaint about discrimination or similar. If you like them and don't want them to feel anxious about this, tread carefully. Maybe raise it in person as other posters have suggested, and make sure it comes across in a jokey way.

I'd raise it in a 1-1 tutorial in amongst other things, so that you get your point across but in a diplomatic way. As a mature student myself I get your point, however the lecturer probably is just trying to increase engagement and use new technologies.

This is exactly what course reps are for. Allows issues to be raised without making things personal. If you don't have an active course rep system then that is a bigger issue and you should volunteer. There should be regular staff-student meeting where such issues can be raised. The lack of support for video skills is important and should be raised ASAP as it's likely to be affecting other students too

As a former mature student I just let similar comments go. I was able to realise that the majority group was being pitched to and mature enough to look past it. I would have spoken up if the comments were racist, homophobic or otherwise similarly offensive but this wouldn't have been an issue to bother me.

You may want to think whether you want to mark yourself out as different at this stage or whether it is something that should be let go in case your energies are needed for a time when it really matters.

It’s not that much more difficult than editing a photo on Instagram.

I use ‘CapCut’ on the rare occasion I want to make a video for TikTok.

The assignment could be just talking at the camera for a max of five minutes. But, if she does want a ‘TikTok’ video which is graded here’s some tips:

• do the voice over first (make a video of you speaking.
• come up with video segments ideas to make it more appealing (I.E. if you’re talking about population you could film people doing the daily business in town etc).
• go onto CapCut, use the video of the voice over then delete the footage of you speaking. Add the other footage you’ve got, then play about clipping it/adding fades/can add music/add text etc.

I remember at uni twelve years ago being expected to make ‘vlogs’ and YouTube videos.

Just think that in the real world you’ll be expected to learn new skills without formal training. This is one of those scenarios.

I don't think this would bother me at all. I'd think the lecturer was a bit silly but I wouldn't care. None of my kids in their 20's have TikTok. There will be plenty of other students who won't know how to make a video.

If I was the lecturer I'd expect Uni level students to be able to look up how they would make a video. It's not difficult. There will be lots of guides on line.

I think the lecturer is being lazy to assume that the group will collectively know how to make TikTok videos. Do they publish a specific marking rubric for video assessments?

DS is 17, doesn’t have TikTok and abhors having to record anything like this when school have done similar projects, to the point of becoming very worried and stressed. He’s going to university in Sept and I hope for his sake none of his assessed work is via self recorded video. It’s not as inclusive as people seem to think.

I know academics are under huge pressure to find ways to assess students differently as students these days apparently don’t like / can’t cope with longer written submissions, but honestly making a video will be some people’s worst nightmare. I’m all for variety and appreciate this is intended to be inclusive, but the assumption that everyone will find this easy is what grates. Some people will find writing an essay far easier than making a TikTok video so you’re just swapping one group that doesn’t like a thing for another.

sorry that was a rant! I’d raise it via student reps if you personally don’t have a technical or skill problem with making a video. I’d raise it direct in person with the lecturer if you didn’t know where to start and haven’t been taught.

I did call out in lectures when they would say things like "now none of you have heard of these people" and then talk about the spice girls (legal case) just to say sone of us do with a smile :-)

I'd never complain about being called x generation as such. I may ask if there were any resources on making tik Toks if we had to do alone (or say what if you don't have tok tok?)

I did do a course on film law where we also shot a short film. Luckily in groups but we got zero ideas on how to actually practically do it. It was clear we were not marked on the film though, just our essays around the film. But that was an optional module.

Could you frame this as interim feedback?

Something along the lines of...when you gave out that assignment it felt as if you were making assumptions that it would be easy for me. I actually find it quite challenging - I know I can manage it but not easily. I'm not" Tik Tok generation". Can you give me any pointers?

Anyway - how would you feel if you were said lecturer and you got an email from me asking you not to refer to us as the 'Tik Tok generation', nor to make any generalised assumptions about the group based on characteristic that are protected by the equality act?

I think you should speak for yourself, but not for others in the group; let others raise their own complaint if they want to.

'The TikTok generation' seems to be quite widely used in the media as a synonym for Gen Z. You might argue that referring to any 'social generations' involves inappropriate generalisation but that's a very wide debate.

The generations tend to be defined by what was happening around them when they reached adulthood, not necessarily by what they were doing themselves and it can't really be argued that Gen Z are the first to have TikTok happening around them as they hit adulthood, whether or not they use it themselves.

I wouldn’t admit that making a Tik-Tok was challenging and i especially wouldn’t attribute that to my age. God.

I agree that it would be better said in person if you want to maintain a good relationship. I've had students pick me up on similar (e.g. referencing something they would not know about because they're too young) and I've corrected it and it's all taken in good humour. Or you can put it in the course feedback. If I received an email like this I'd consider it a more formal complaint and invite you for a chat as well as informing my line manager that there might be trouble.

The point about video editing skills is more relevant IMO - these days I do assume students have some knowledge of this and that if they don't they'll be able to use the function in PowerPoint to narrate over slides. Lots of courses set video assignments and it goes down well usually. I think because students can edit it so it's less frightening than a presentation, but if I was a student I'd actually hate it!

The lecturer is just giving the reason why they are not explaining in depth how to create a video. I really don't think they are being ageist.
I would imagine that it is obvious that there are some mature students in the lecture hall but in a large group it's easier to address the vast majority and then deal with individual issues as they arise.
If they singled you out in front of the whole class and said that the others are young enough to know how to make a video but you are older so you will probably struggle, then I would complain about their attitude. I certainly wouldn't be complaining because they thought I was capable.
If you are seriously upset then have a word in private. Just say something like as you can see I am not of the tiktok generation and then raise your issue. Don't send an email.

If you are old enough to remember a world without routine use of email, think: would you have bothered anyone about this then?

It's not one person deciding to write and quibble / query / nitpick that kills you, but the cumulative effect. Is this really necessary? If it's not important enough for a quick chat, is it important?

And what I would think, obviously, is there is someone who is going to complain, hope it won't be a black mark against me, better stick to my script in future, better appease very mature student as much as I can ...

Is that what you want?

I would say this is the best approach.

My 19 year old DC and his friends mostly have nothing to do with TikTok so I'd guess quite a few of the class are irritated by this approach or amused by it in a different way.

Can I ask what subject this is for ?

I think you're taking it way too personally. I'm in my 50s and this wouldn't bother me at all. Maybe mention in person in a lighthearted way.

I wonder if it may have been done tongue in cheek but I think you could have a quick chat about it to make your point rather than email.

I agree with you about inclusivity and don't assign videos myself, unfortunately at my uni at least we are under pressure to do these assessments, not so much because students want them but because we are under pressure from the government to improve employability. Apparently focus groups with employers suggest video making as a desired skill.

We do signpost to training videos and have a marking rubric though. Your son should complain if he doesn't.