I voted no, but I do believe that there are exceptions to everything. The problem is, folks don't always act appropriately - whether it be students or adults. This is a difficult topic.
People don't act appropriately. Is it really the government's job to try and make us all perfect and well behaved in all circumstances? Or there some personal responsibility involved?
Typically, anything inappropriate that a teacher might do is either going to violate school rules or break a law already on the books. So why yet another law?
You are absolutly right Howard, there is no need to waste time and the taxpayers money on another law that would in the end hinder rather than help if the is a problem teacher engaged in inappropriate conduct with students.
Aside from the First Amendment implications, this is one of those debates that invokes at least a couple cliches: "Don't shoot the messenger and Don't throw the baby out with the bath." Social networking sites afford communication. Some schools have provided networking service for school personnel, parents and students to share pertinent information such as homework assignments, progress updates and other education related communication. In the absence of school-provided electronic communication, using non-school-provided alternatives may be the only alternative. The built-in media sharing-capacity of most public sites is likely superior to what school districts offer.
It really boils down to the nature of the communication. ...And as Howard aptly pointed out, there is a 'paper trail' by which offenders can be held accountable.
Thinking back to my own school days, I can recall teachers visiting at home, after-hours practices/rehearsals, telephone calls from teachers and being driven places in the teacher's personal vehicle. Any of these contacts COULD have been for purposes, exploitative or unethical- BUT they weren't. One has to recognize that the vast majority of school teachers, coaches, directors, conductors, tutors and counselors are professional and ethical. Prohibiting online contact between teachers and students to preclude potential abuse represents over-reaction when put in context of the myriad interactions between students and teachers- any one of which (when scrutinized) affords such potential. Why single-out this one?
These sites ARE used for education: student 'pages' are incorporated into curriculum to encourage writing- much like diaries-of-old, allow for brainstorming sessions for group projects, graphic design, etc. Before condemning, one should balance the educational value against the detraction.
Televisions were once considered 'idiot boxes,' the bane of educators. Now there are video monitors in every classroom. Relegating social sites as territory of stalkers, predators and pedophiles amounts to blind-eying the true potential of a very cost-effective tool. Why NOT elevate the potential for these sites?
Several of my friends are teachers who have pages on Facebook. It is fun to watch the interaction between the students and my friends. I believe it makes the teacher more 'human' and their students, at least on their pages, are polite and respectful.
Facebook creeps me out. I've been there, I don't do that anymore. And Myspace lost it's charm when Rupert made it Mywaste. But I love The Batavian. Thank you Billie and Howard.
I can't imagine what you would hope to accomplish with prohibiting such communication. If I was still a student, I would not want to be "friends" with my teachers on Facebook anymore than I now want to be friends with children now, There may be exceptions, I had a good relationship with a few teachers when in high school, but there were always boundaries. Since most social media outlets are in some form public and permanent they are far less likely to be abused than the meetings alone, after hours, behind closed doors. Yet another law, that would be difficult and costly to enforce is just silly knee jerk reaction-ism,
Prohibition should be the
Prohibition should be the responsibility of the parent, not the government.
I voted no, but I do believe
I voted no, but I do believe that there are exceptions to everything. The problem is, folks don't always act appropriately - whether it be students or adults. This is a difficult topic.
People don't act
People don't act appropriately. Is it really the government's job to try and make us all perfect and well behaved in all circumstances? Or there some personal responsibility involved?
Typically, anything inappropriate that a teacher might do is either going to violate school rules or break a law already on the books. So why yet another law?
And if a teacher is a creep,
And if a teacher is a creep, using a social network creates a digital paper trail making a conviction so much easier.
You are absolutly right
You are absolutly right Howard, there is no need to waste time and the taxpayers money on another law that would in the end hinder rather than help if the is a problem teacher engaged in inappropriate conduct with students.
Aside from the First
Aside from the First Amendment implications, this is one of those debates that invokes at least a couple cliches: "Don't shoot the messenger and Don't throw the baby out with the bath." Social networking sites afford communication. Some schools have provided networking service for school personnel, parents and students to share pertinent information such as homework assignments, progress updates and other education related communication. In the absence of school-provided electronic communication, using non-school-provided alternatives may be the only alternative. The built-in media sharing-capacity of most public sites is likely superior to what school districts offer.
It really boils down to the nature of the communication. ...And as Howard aptly pointed out, there is a 'paper trail' by which offenders can be held accountable.
Thinking back to my own school days, I can recall teachers visiting at home, after-hours practices/rehearsals, telephone calls from teachers and being driven places in the teacher's personal vehicle. Any of these contacts COULD have been for purposes, exploitative or unethical- BUT they weren't. One has to recognize that the vast majority of school teachers, coaches, directors, conductors, tutors and counselors are professional and ethical. Prohibiting online contact between teachers and students to preclude potential abuse represents over-reaction when put in context of the myriad interactions between students and teachers- any one of which (when scrutinized) affords such potential. Why single-out this one?
These sites ARE used for education: student 'pages' are incorporated into curriculum to encourage writing- much like diaries-of-old, allow for brainstorming sessions for group projects, graphic design, etc. Before condemning, one should balance the educational value against the detraction.
Televisions were once considered 'idiot boxes,' the bane of educators. Now there are video monitors in every classroom. Relegating social sites as territory of stalkers, predators and pedophiles amounts to blind-eying the true potential of a very cost-effective tool. Why NOT elevate the potential for these sites?
PS: Maybe if students knew
PS: Maybe if students knew that teachers were availing their 'Facebook' page, they might behave more responsibly on the internet.
Should teachers be prohibited
Should teachers be prohibited from having contact with students via email? Instant messenger? Chat rooms? Telephone? Written letters? Telegraph?
Social media are tools, they're not inherently bad. People just aren't completely comfortable with them yet because they're still relatively new.
Several of my friends are
Several of my friends are teachers who have pages on Facebook. It is fun to watch the interaction between the students and my friends. I believe it makes the teacher more 'human' and their students, at least on their pages, are polite and respectful.
Facebook creeps me out. I've
Facebook creeps me out. I've been there, I don't do that anymore. And Myspace lost it's charm when Rupert made it Mywaste. But I love The Batavian. Thank you Billie and Howard.
Now we know what makes you
Now we know what makes you the creep...LOL
I can't imagine what you
I can't imagine what you would hope to accomplish with prohibiting such communication. If I was still a student, I would not want to be "friends" with my teachers on Facebook anymore than I now want to be friends with children now, There may be exceptions, I had a good relationship with a few teachers when in high school, but there were always boundaries. Since most social media outlets are in some form public and permanent they are far less likely to be abused than the meetings alone, after hours, behind closed doors. Yet another law, that would be difficult and costly to enforce is just silly knee jerk reaction-ism,
There is a great thread on FB
There is a great thread on FB right now about what you remember about Batavia while you were in high school. Fun answers.