Cyber Relationships
Cyber relationships provide some selected readings on the use of technology in today's classroom. In the world of Facebook, Twitter, and texting, technology plays a huge role in the communication patterns of students. The articles in this section highlight some school districts policies and how to manage the line between appropriate communication and inappropriate uses of technology.
Policies on Teacher-Student Cyber Talk
Ash, Katie. "Policies Target Teacher-Student Cyber Talk." Education Week Volume 29 (2009)
Ash presents information on how school districts are handling new changes in technology. In a day where methods of communication evolve over night, school districts have struggled to keep up with the times. Some are in the process of making new rules and regulations regarding cyber talk between students and teachers. Rules involving emails, text messages, and social networking sites are becoming more prevalent in districts throughout the nation. While some argue this diminishes the ability to form mentor relationships, proponents argue that its a preventative step in assuring that contact between students and teachers remains appropriate and professional.
Ash presents information on how school districts are handling new changes in technology. In a day where methods of communication evolve over night, school districts have struggled to keep up with the times. Some are in the process of making new rules and regulations regarding cyber talk between students and teachers. Rules involving emails, text messages, and social networking sites are becoming more prevalent in districts throughout the nation. While some argue this diminishes the ability to form mentor relationships, proponents argue that its a preventative step in assuring that contact between students and teachers remains appropriate and professional.
Should teachers interact with their students on social media networks such as facebook?
Teacher's use and level of interaction with students on social networking sites, such as facebook and myspace, has sparked nationwide debates. While there is no single, one-size-fits all policy in place yet, many school districts are at least coming up with some suggestions for faculty regarding use the use of social networking sites.
One Washington State school district has some sound advice for its teachers: do not friend students on these sites. While only a guideline and not a firm policy yet, it says that if teachers do have contact with students on social networking sites, they should make sure interactions are schoolwork related and are not to discuss students' social lives. While many school districts have simply blocked the access of social networking sites for everyone, including teachers, on school computers (as is the case with the Seattle School District), not all have come up with a strict policy forbidding teachers from accept friendship requests. We encourage teachers to consider creating their own policy for interactions with students on social networking sites, as it is an ongoing concern that has brought many teachers into question.
As a general rule of thumb for teachers everywhere, even if you are not 'friends' with students on such sites, be sure and set your profile page to the highest level of privacy so that students cannot access information about you. To read more about the guidelines some Washington schools have come up with, please visist http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013313274_teacherfacebook01m.html
One Washington State school district has some sound advice for its teachers: do not friend students on these sites. While only a guideline and not a firm policy yet, it says that if teachers do have contact with students on social networking sites, they should make sure interactions are schoolwork related and are not to discuss students' social lives. While many school districts have simply blocked the access of social networking sites for everyone, including teachers, on school computers (as is the case with the Seattle School District), not all have come up with a strict policy forbidding teachers from accept friendship requests. We encourage teachers to consider creating their own policy for interactions with students on social networking sites, as it is an ongoing concern that has brought many teachers into question.
As a general rule of thumb for teachers everywhere, even if you are not 'friends' with students on such sites, be sure and set your profile page to the highest level of privacy so that students cannot access information about you. To read more about the guidelines some Washington schools have come up with, please visist http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013313274_teacherfacebook01m.html
