Social media and the classroom
Should social media sites like Facebook and Twitter be used with older students?
Um...no, definitely not. And yes.
Under no circumstances, should a student ever access my personal Facebook page. I do not respond to friend requests from former students until they have graduated from college (or been out of school for at least four years). Even then, I am very selective about who I accept. I never seek former students to add as friends. I don't Twitter (although, I think my stubborn resistance is going to have to crack very soon in the face of my new job).
BUT students do not check email (they certainly don't know how to talk on the phone) and it is becoming increasingly necessary for teachers to be able to have contact with students outside of the school day. So, yes, teachers should use social media to interact with students.
The key is a solid wall of separation...a teacher profile that does not cross paths with a personal. Or even better, a social media site made explicitly for education...like My Big Campus.
I was a reluctant convert to MBC. I liked Moodle and didn't like the Facebook feel of MBC. Until I started using it. Students are comfortable with it and with communicating through it.
If you don't have access to a site like My Big Campus, Facebook or Twitter could be a good work-around. But be cautious and keep control of what is posted and commented -- don't create and turn a blind eye!
Um...no, definitely not. And yes.
Under no circumstances, should a student ever access my personal Facebook page. I do not respond to friend requests from former students until they have graduated from college (or been out of school for at least four years). Even then, I am very selective about who I accept. I never seek former students to add as friends. I don't Twitter (although, I think my stubborn resistance is going to have to crack very soon in the face of my new job).
BUT students do not check email (they certainly don't know how to talk on the phone) and it is becoming increasingly necessary for teachers to be able to have contact with students outside of the school day. So, yes, teachers should use social media to interact with students.
The key is a solid wall of separation...a teacher profile that does not cross paths with a personal. Or even better, a social media site made explicitly for education...like My Big Campus.
I was a reluctant convert to MBC. I liked Moodle and didn't like the Facebook feel of MBC. Until I started using it. Students are comfortable with it and with communicating through it.
If you don't have access to a site like My Big Campus, Facebook or Twitter could be a good work-around. But be cautious and keep control of what is posted and commented -- don't create and turn a blind eye!