This article talks about an ongoing debate between teachers, 'should you friend your students on facebook'? this article brings in two different arguments, one who agrees, and one who disagrees, and discuss their reasons why.
You should 'friend' your students on Facebook because it is a nice way to stay in touch with what goes on in their lives. When a student sends you a friend request, they "wish to share their lives with [you]" (Paragraph 3), thus they are welcoming you into their lives. the article claims that it may seem like you are 'hanging out with them, but you are also "hanging out with them at school, too" (Paragraph 3). Times are schanging are we are now in what is known as the 'digital age', with the students "being the digital natives, while...the educators are digital immigrants" (Paragraph 4). This argument ends with a very strong point, saying that we as educators "can't effectively teach them until we can reach them" (Paragraph 6).
Your should not 'friend' your students on Facebook because you and your students get enough of ecahother during the day, 7:30 a.m.- 2:45 p.m. You "have to draw the line somewhere" (Paragraph 7). Can you really handle more sides of them outside the classroom? and can they handle yours?. If you are 'friends with your student, then they begin to feel that "deadlines no longer apply to them" (Paragraph 8). This argument also claims that student life vs adult life are completely different, do you really want your students to know wherer you and your fellow adults friends go out to drink? It's better to "friend a former student who is now an adult...not a current student" (Paragraph 9).
I found this article to be very interesting because with Facebook's ever growing popularity, almost everyone has an account now. I myself have made one just to stay in touch with friends, but I Only have one former high school teacher as a friend, and the rest are friends, relatives, classmates, etc. I agree with the second argument in that you have to draw the line somewhere, if a student skips class, and you find them posting that they went to the fair, what would you do? but then again I also agree with the first argument, you could friend a student on facebook as a way of staying in touch, what if they have a question on an assignment? This would also be really helpful to those students who are shy in class and rarely speak, they can use this to talk more with their teacher, even though it's not face-to-face, it's still one-on-one communication.
So what about you, what do you think?
I like this type of articles in L&L. One can get to see both sides of an argument. They can increase our understanding of the issue.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have a Facebook account, I don't really use it a lot. I go there and check some updates occasionally. So I really do not have first-hand experience of the issues in the article. But I guess it depends on the nature of interaction between a teacher and students on Facebook. I think it's OK for teachers to friend their students, but both need to understand how to behave appropriately in various contexts/situations. Just my two cents...
R-J
Thanks for sharing this article. I have never heard some of those arguments before, about students thinking that deadlines will no longer apply to them. I understand the argument about "reaching them to teach them," but I struggle with it. I think that technology, while it has its benefits also has some disadvantages. This generation of students want information now, in their own way, and thinks that if it not a mile a minute, like their I-phone, then it is "boring." I think there is value in supplementing lessons with technology, but also teaching students that there is a lot to be learned from genuine human interaction and learning by doing.
ReplyDeleteI have a Facebook and I agree about it being a great tool to stay in touch with long distance friends and family. It is against my district's policy to "friend" students. I respect that rule. Honestly, I think as teachers, we need to be careful what we do on the internet and maintain professional relationships with students. I think it is possible to connect with students without seeing pictures and status updates from their day-to-day. The community sees teachers as role models to children. Too many teachers (who make the news) have blurred the line of what is appropriate. Thanks again for sharing!
Great article, there is a lot of opinion on this issue of social networks connecting students and teachers. As a coach and future teacher I would not my self and nor would I recommend trying to add students to a Facebook account. If the class needs to have an online social discussion board or other way of communicating, than a teacher should use a more educational website instead of Facebook.
ReplyDeleteHowever, If a Student wants to add a teacher, than you should be very careful as to what is desired to be shared with social network friends. There are plenty of easy ways to protect your privacy with private settings and thus will still allow for a social network friendship without unwanted exposure.
Thanks for sharing.