TikTokWhether you're a Leaving Certificate student or not, you've probably come across Tadgh O'Donovan on your FYP. Best known on TikTok as @teachwithtadgh, he is a Secondary School Science Teacher from Cork who has taught in both the UK and Ireland. During the global pandemic, he took to TikTok, to both teach science and share his humorous take on life at school. We caught up with Tadgh to hear his top tips ahead of the Leaving Certificate Exams, why he started posting to TikTok and his favourite teaching creators on the platform.
Q: Why did you decide to start using TikTok to share study tips and Leaving Certificate tips?
During lockdown, I noticed there were so many kids asking for help in my comment section, and at the time, being stuck at home, I wanted to do everything in my power to try and help them. And everything kind of took off from there.
Q:- What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?
I think it’s got to be my DNA vs RNA video. I had so much fun making it with my sister when we were stuck inside, and it gave joy to so many people.
Q: What are your main tips for Leaving Certificate students ahead of the exams? What is the one piece of Chemistry/Physics/Bilogy exam advice you want every student to know?
I’m a bit of a ‘Jack of all trades’ when it comes to science subjects, but I think regardless of which science subject you might be doing, you’ve got to know your practical experiments inside out. And sometimes it’s a great way to actually build your revision around in a topic. Outside of that, the other advice I would have is to sit down and practice completing a full paper in the same length of time as your exam. Practice makes perfect, so why leave it until the day to see what it’s like.
Q: What else or who else are you loving on your TikTok For You feed? Are you following/liking any other teachers or Leaving Certificate content?
Well the number 1 creator I follow has to be @chelsea_1302. Literally love this creator! and I’ve always got my OG teachers from when I first joined, like @teachertommyt and @mratkohistoryteacher. In Ireland we have got some great people who have joined #TeachersofTikTok including: @lchistorytutor, @leavingcertguidance, and @johnsharpson.
Q6: What has been the reaction from your students and fellow teachers since you started posting TikToks?
I actually started posting when I was still working in the UK, so when I joined my current school in Ireland, it was the first thing they heard about me. But the reaction has only ever been positive. The students love it, and the requests for shout outs and follow backs have been numerous. My next challenge is to convince the school to let me set up an account on their behalf, and teach students how to use social media in a safe and positive manner.
Q: What advice do you have for teachers who are interested in using TikTok to connect with their students?
Don’t be afraid to give it a go! Not alone did it help me teach them in a new way, but it also gave me a greater insight into the world they’re living in, what they’re seeing and experiencing around them, and it’s helped develop much better classroom relationships as a result.
Q: Anything else to add about your experience on TikTok to date?
I never thought posting a silly, fun, little video on tiktok 3 years ago would’ve changed my world in the way that it has. I’ve met my fiancée through the app, experienced unbelievable things like the TikTok 6 nations finale between Ireland & England, and had people message me saying I helped them through difficult times in school and during exams. And for that, I can only ever be grateful to TikTok.
