Deconstructing TikTok 2021
VISST Spring Break Virtual Camp
March 22-26, 2021
Recommended grades: 6-10
What data is collected when you use TikTok or other social media? Should you care? In this Spring Break camp, you’ll learn by turning the tables - unravel “the algorithm”, create your own targeted ads, look behind the scenes of data collection, and more.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology
Program Details
When?
This virtual camp runs March 22-26, 2021. Each day consists of a morning session from 10am-12pm and an afternoon session from 1pm-3pm. Participants take their own lunch break from 12-1pm.
Who?
Our virtual lab is designed for kids in BC in grades 6-10. Participants may be grouped by age depending on enrolment. If you / your child are outside British Columbia or outside this age range, but would still like to participate, please contact us using the form below.
Cost
The camp fee for the 5 days is $99 for sign-ups before Feb 28 and $199 afterwards. However, if the fee is a barrier to your participation, a limited number of bursaries are available for eligible families - please contact us at workshops@visst.ca.
Why?
Join an eye-opening experience looking at how your daily activities are tracked and monetized - you may never think of social media the same way again.
Gain experience in areas you won’t find in school, including advertising, economics, and data privacy.
Peek into the “real world” of money and technology in a small-class setting with a seasoned entrepreneur and a UBC computer science professor.
Earn a certificate of completion from the Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology.
We promise it’ll be better than a week spent on TikTok!
Here’s what we’ll do:
Day 1:
Is this an ad?
When we (Shaun & Mike) were kids, it was obvious when the TV switched from The Simpsons to a breakfast cereal advertisement. These days, on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, it can be hard to tell the difference between “content” and “advertising”. On Day 1 we’ll explore this blurred line and try to spot some hidden ads on our TikTok feeds.
Day 2:
Targeted Advertising
When you and I open TikTok or search on Google, we see different things. Is this a convenience or a concern? And, how do these platforms know what to show us? On Day 2 we’ll explore algorithms, the “FYP”, and risks of targeted advertising. Then, we’ll buy some advertising ourselves to experience targeting from the other side!
Day 3:
Economics of surveillance
Did you know that each of us has a customer lifetime value? You might be worth $2,000 to TikTok and I might be worth $1,000, who knows! On Day 3 we’ll see if we can calculate how much a customer is worth to a social media platform. And we’ll consider, if you’re worth $2,000 to TikTok, how might they spend $1,000 to keep you using the platform?
Day 4:
Tracking tools
When you visit a website with your computer or phone, how much does the site know about you? What if you’re logged in? What about cookies? On Day 4 we’ll pull back the curtain and see firsthand what sorts of information we can collect about our visitors.. Then we’ll visit our favourite websites and investigate what information they are passing on to advertisers.
Day 5:
Terms and conditions apply
Have you actually read TikTok’s Privacy Policy or Terms of Service? Let’s face it, most of us press “I Agree” multiple times a month without reading the details. And who can blame us - TikTok’s Terms of Service is about 30,000 words, or more than 50 pages long! On Day 5 we’ll discuss the roles of these documents and how to approach them, and then we’ll tie everything we’ve learned together to wrap up the course.
Camp Leaders
This camp is led by Shaun, an education entrepreneur (left) and Mike, an award-winning UBC computer science professor and a certified high school teacher (right). Learn more about Shaun and Mike here.
Testimonials
From the very first class, he made us feel comfortable and welcome to ask questions, challenge him on topics, and to learn. - UBC student in Mike’s class
He is able to relate and communicate with students unlike any prof I've had before. He presents complex concepts in understandable ways and makes the class feel like a collaborative effort, instead of just a professor reciting information to students. - UBC student in Mike’s class
I never thought data compressing would include zipping zip files. Thanks for expanding my mind! - High school student in Mike’s seminar at SIMUW
Our Story
We are a team of experienced educators in the process of opening a not-for-profit in-person high school in Vancouver. While we wait out the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re launching virtual programs to start pursuing our mission of educating high school students without leaving them wondering, Why am I learning this?
Join us! Sign up below.
This camp is now full. Still looking to engage with us? You can sign up for the Deconstructing TikTok 2021 waitlist below, sign up for updates about our exciting future workshops here, or sign up for our other 2021 spring break camp, My Pandemic Story.
Questions?
Contact us at workshops@visst.ca
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Deconstructing TikTok
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