SYDNEY, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Australian lecturer, fully embracing the digital age of learning, has taken to using video-sharing app TikTok in an effort to engage his students.

University of Queensland (UQ) senior lecturer in strategy Stuart Middleton told Xinhua on Wednesday that his idea came at a time when everyone was increasingly isolated due to the pandemic, and a time when students could easily "fall through the cracks" of online learning.

"It's bigger cohorts, with virtual teaching. It just makes it really hard to build those relationships with students," Middleton said.

"So, anything which allows it to be more personalized, I think, is really great."

He said that using 60-second clips to explain core business concepts, which are later covered in lectures, helps students get excited about the subject material and drives home the most important points in an easily digestible format.

"I think the idea of giving that short, sharp lesson from a particular week's activity, is potentially really valuable to our students," he said.

Middleton said that while he did not expect his TikToks to replace lectures and tutorials, they could offer up a new avenue to meet students halfway, especially when many of them are separated by borders due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"I'm trying to mix things up but it's hard when students are in different time zones and different countries, facing all those big things in their lives that the world is dealing with at the moment," he said.

He said his initiative had helped him stay connected with students who were isolated in rural Australia and across the world.

"If that's (using TikTok) going to create a more personable relationship, where they feel more comfortable in talking to me and asking questions, then that's great."

Middleton's initiative saw him the recipient of UQ's Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning this week as part of Teaching and Learning Week 2021.

He said he hoped the award would raise awareness that every student learns differently, and that ultimately exploring more ways to teach was about making learning more accessible to everyone.

His advice to aspiring TikTok teachers was to "just give it a go."

"Gen Z (Generation Z) doesn't expect us to be perfect on these mediums; I just think they really appreciate us giving it a go." Enditem

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