Millions of people around the world are members of Facebook. Students, teachers, and parents alike have all signed up for this free online social website. However, across the country, the question has arisen if teachers and students should ever be friends on Facebook? Many school districts are beginning to weigh the pros and cons of allowing this social networking site to be allowed on the school's campus.
Currently, at least 40 school districts nation wide have approved social media policies. Schools in New York, Florida, and Missouri have strict policies that disallow teachers to "friend" students on Facebook. Many of these legislatures have merit for being presented. For example, in two New York cases, " one teacher friended several female students and wrote comments including 'this is sexy' under their photos, investigators said. A substitute teacher sent a message to a student saying that her boyfriend did not 'deserve a beautiful girl like you.'" These examples obviously illustrate the misconduct that students and teachers are experiencing.
However, on the other end of the spectrum, social networks can be very beneficial as an educational resource. Older ways of communication such as emails and meeting to work on projects are becoming less common and harder to do. Letters as well seem nearly non-existent among the youth of our day. Teachers themselves do not want to be put in the situation where something inappropriate COULD occur. A lot of teachers currently use Facebook as a way to inform their students of any last minute announcements or any opportunities that have a short time limit.
So, what do you all think? Do you think we should restrict the use of Facebook in school, or do you believe that it is ultimately beneficial to our educational system? Also, do you believe that it is inappropriate for students to "friend" teachers? Let me know your opinions.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
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9 comments:
I can see the good in having a teacher as a friend on facebook, but at the same time, I am leaning towards the side that says no. Yes there is the concern that the teacher and student may have a few inappropriate exchanges, but I'm more concerned with the fact that teachers can then see what you write as a status update. I can't speak for everyone but for me, I just don't want my teacher to be able to see what I have written down. It would feel weird to me so overall, I am most likely on the no side.
Networking with teachers does not, in my opinion, seem a large issue. While there are potential privacy or personal issues such as the ones mentioned, this can occur with anyone, not just necessarily teachers.
The benefits of establishing ties to teachers can extend long after graduation. In the world today, relations are extremely important for finding jobs and acquiring money and resources. Thus, connecting to a few more teachers on Facebook shouldn't hurt.
In the case of privacy issues, however, one can simply add teachers to the Acquaintance or Restricted list, disallowing them from seeing all but the most public posts. In addition, there are other networking sites that can be helpful, such as LinkedIn, if users find Facebook too personal to share with them.
I agree with Patrick. There are so many other ways for teachers to get in touch with students that do not tap into students personal lives. I believe that once a student has graduated a class with a teacher, then it may be more appropriate for a student and teacher to be friends on social networking sites. Frankly, these days Facebook is too personal and expository. Too many things could go wrong with teachers and students having that extra link. Teachers could generate bias or favoritism based on what they see on their students profiles, and both students and teachers could behave inappropriately. It just blurs the line of the relationship a little too much in my opinion.
As someone who has friended many former teachers on Facebook, I really don't find it a big deal. Facebook is not private. It is on the internet meaning that one should have the expectation that everything on your profile can be viewed by anyone. Having teachers as Facebook friends is a great reminder not to post anything that I wouldn't want them, a family member, or any other adult to see. As for the inappropriate comments, I agree with Ivan that it is not unique to teachers. And honestly, if they feel comfortable enough to post a comment like "that's sexy" about a student on the internet, that probably means that they're not holding their tongues in the classroom either. Facebook may be a tool to monitor teachers, and perhaps get rid of them before their inappropriate behaviors escalate into something more serious.
I agree with Meredith in that Facebook could be a great way to monitor teachers. If teachers are open about making inappropriate comments on Facebook, than people could catch them before anything becomes too serious. Personally I feel that friending a teacher is okay, especially after graduating. I know for a fact that some teachers, who I will not name, like to keep up with students when they go to college. They visit that student and learn new things about subjects that they teach in. This keeps them fresh and up to date with the most current information. This not only benefits them, but their students in the classroom by informing them of current and relevant topics.
Personally, I don't feel that having teachers as a Facebook friend is that big of a deal. Most teachers know the boundaries that they must follow and only the teachers that do not know the boundaries are the ones that are making national news. The rule of thumb most teachers follow is that they will only add a student after that student is no longer in one of their classes or has graduated. Also, to address people who say that they do not want teachers seeing what they write on Facebook, an easy solution is to not add your teachers on Facebook.
I sincerely think that the policy of whether to friend or not friend kids should be up to the teacher in question. Many teachers develop relationships with students as mentors and disallowing contact through a widely used media source seems foolish. It seems like most teachers wouldn't want kids snooping in on their pictures and interactions, but you never know. Once something is public on the internet, like this comment, it is near impossible to limit who sees it. Facebook privacy settings only go so far.
I agree with Brynn. In that there are other forms of communication that teachers and students can use. Such as schoolloop. Sure probably in the future all students and teachers will be friends with each other on facebook because everyone will most likely have one by then. But now, I still feel like it is awkward to cross that divided line between teachers and students. Because there should be a line, teachers and students aren't meant to be friends. I understand friending a former teacher on facebook after the student has graduated, but using it as a way to "get last minute details on an assignment" seems a bit inappropriate.
I agree with Shawn/Brynn/Patrick. Brynn has already articulated many of the reasons, but another big one, I think, is that being friends with one student could also give them access to things other students post, such as pictures in which the "friended" student is tagged with other people. Or wall-to-wall posts. Once a student graduates I understand the need to add former teachers, as a way to keep in touch, but when you can just walk down the hall and talk to them... I think this crosses a line.
And as far as privacy settings go, Facebook changes things so often I don't think they are reliable. Even the ability to add someone has just an "acquaintance" is relatively new.
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