Schools need policies on social networking sites
Aug 17, 2011
A new Missouri law, which will regulate the way teachers and students communicate, has generated a lot of debate. The law says teachers cannot have a network-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student.
A new Missouri law, which will regulate the way teachers and students communicate, has generated a lot of debate. The law says teachers cannot have a network-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student.
With advancement in communication technology, teachers easily relate privately with pupils on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. This brings into perspective the traditional professional etiquette of student-teacher relationships.
Critics say this law is an infringement on the rights of teachers and maybe students. It presents teachers as irresponsible people, who cannot be trusted to relate with their pupils/students on social networks without breaching the teaching code of ethics.
Being a teacher comes with the added responsibility of also being a public figure.
Teachers should accept friend requests from students, who have graduated or those above 18 on facebook.
Webpages like Twitter and Facebook are valuable tools if used correctly, but schools need to define policies that give students and teachers guidance on the appropriate use.
If students and teachers communicate on social networking sites, all conversations should be made public. All teacher-student messages must be posted for all to see on the facebook wall.
Teachers can use their privacy settings on facebook to regulate the kind of information they can share with students on facebook. There needs to be a certain distance between teachers and students in order to maintain respect.
A teacher needs to be a role model, mentor, and adviser. When a student gains access into a teacher’s network of friends and acquaintances and is able to view their family photos, for instance, the student-teacher dynamic is altered.
Arthur Baguma Nsimomwe
abaguma@newvision.co.ug
With advancement in communication technology, teachers easily relate privately with pupils on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. This brings into perspective the traditional professional etiquette of student-teacher relationships.
Critics say this law is an infringement on the rights of teachers and maybe students. It presents teachers as irresponsible people, who cannot be trusted to relate with their pupils/students on social networks without breaching the teaching code of ethics.
Being a teacher comes with the added responsibility of also being a public figure.
Teachers should accept friend requests from students, who have graduated or those above 18 on facebook.
Webpages like Twitter and Facebook are valuable tools if used correctly, but schools need to define policies that give students and teachers guidance on the appropriate use.
If students and teachers communicate on social networking sites, all conversations should be made public. All teacher-student messages must be posted for all to see on the facebook wall.
Teachers can use their privacy settings on facebook to regulate the kind of information they can share with students on facebook. There needs to be a certain distance between teachers and students in order to maintain respect.
A teacher needs to be a role model, mentor, and adviser. When a student gains access into a teacher’s network of friends and acquaintances and is able to view their family photos, for instance, the student-teacher dynamic is altered.
Arthur Baguma Nsimomwe
abaguma@newvision.co.ug