Social media. It's great for professional development. It lets educators reach kids in ways they appreciate. And it's has tremendous potential as an extender of lessons and learning.
But like many things, the bad actions of a few could impact everyone -- including all the teachers using it for good purposes.
A recent article points out how a faction of teachers have used social media to prey on students or show bad examples of behavior. This is leading some districts to enact strict rules on social media interactions between students and their educators.
What do you think? Should interaction on social media be limited between students and educators? Or do the benefits outweigh the risks?
Here are some things to consider:
- Some educators have students start or continue class discussions in Facebook Groups, on Twitter and in other social media forums. This can really increase the interest and enthusiasm in those discussions. Teachers say that kids really respond to this.
- Some educators use text messaging as a method for students to respond to class questions. It's a way to reach them where they live, so to speak.
- When a student has a homework question and access to social media, they can ask the teacher quickly and directly using social media -- allowing them to work through homework easier and on time.
Using Social Media
Social media is a way to showcase your knowledge and starting to share it. One only needs to follow the guidelines for using it the right way.
Use social media, but follow guidelines
Sadly, there will always be cases of inappropriate relationships between teachers and students. These existed before social media. Why throw the baby out with the bathwater because of a few bad apples? There are legitimate educational uses for social media (and this doesn't have to mean Facebook...there are closed social media platforms like EdMoto and Saywire that can be used). Just have the proper safeguards and policies in place and deal with violations promptly...and use mistakes as teachable moments. This is how kids learn.
To explore the issue further, check out Social Media Guidelines for Schools and
Ways to Use Facebook in Your Classroom.
Not This Time
I am typically on the side of open discussion all the time. But this is the rare case when I feel limits should be set. The predatory habits of a few disturbed teachers aside, I don't like the idea of my child's teacher contacting him via mobile phone during off hours. Frankly, what could be so important that it couldn't wait until the following morning?
I don't buy the argument that a student can get through homework an easier if h/she had access to their teacher via Facebook. The entire premise is based on both student and teacher being on the site at the same time, which is a big roll of the dice. Realistically, the student would post their question to the teacher's wall and recieve the answer when the teacher sees it, probably after the student has gone to bed.
Teachers and students are either in the same room or the same building for 9 or more hours a day. How much more access do they need? Additionally from the teacher's perspective, how much more instruction does the student need? If this is a case of a student falling behind, than something more substantial than SMS access is required.
As a parent and as someone with multiple teachers and administrators in the family, I can say unequivically that there should be a line and that unfettered access between teacher and student via personal mobile and email accounts crosses that line.
Who said anything about
Who said anything about homework questions via Facebook -- It could be FB, Twitter, texting. Anything. And they don't have to be online at the same time. With the prevalence of smartphones, that access can be had wherever, whenever without being tied to a computer. Just sayin'.
Social Media has its place
Of course teachers and students should communicate via social media. There are lots of vauable ways to use Twitter, text messages and other social media sites to improve communcation. Teachers who would misuse these tools, would find other ways to act inappropriately with their students. Of course, teachers should be smart and limit personal interaciton, but the real-time ability to respond to students is too huge to pass up.