Even if you are careful who you add as friend, you must think carefully about what you post on facebook
I, like many other teachers have a profile on Facebook. Eventually, I received several requests from students who wanted to be my friends. Because I want to protect my privacy to students as much as possible, I ignored these requests. I also thought that kids do not need to follow communication between adults.
As requests streamed in, I thought I would make a temporary attempt to be friends with my students on Facebook. I am a teacher in 6th grade. I'm not very active on Facebook, do not post photos or write any personal confessions there. I am of course aware that friends can see friends' photos and read comments. I decided however to do the test over a short period.
In addition to concerns for the publication of my own privacy to the students I experienced several negative consequences.
As requests streamed in, I thought I would make a temporary attempt to be friends with my students on Facebook. I am a teacher in 6th grade. I'm not very active on Facebook, do not post photos or write any personal confessions there. I am of course aware that friends can see friends' photos and read comments. I decided however to do the test over a short period.
In addition to concerns for the publication of my own privacy to the students I experienced several negative consequences.
* Due to lack of digital expertise and knowledge of written communication over social media, it was a lot of misunderstanding to clear up in. One student sent me for example a message in the inbox: "When will you accept me?". I first became quite desperate, because I thought she was my friend, and that she meant that I did not treat her fairly in the classroom. It turned out that she was not my friend, and had seen that I was friends with other students, and wondered why I had not replied to her request.
* Several times while I sat at home and was signed into Facebook, students came and wanted to chat with me. I was asked about school things, like homework, the social environment in class and more. I felt that my work hours were suddenly put out to cover my entire awaken existence.
* Several times while I sat at home and was signed into Facebook, students came and wanted to chat with me. I was asked about school things, like homework, the social environment in class and more. I felt that my work hours were suddenly put out to cover my entire awaken existence.
* I witnessed that my students were not nice to each other. They send nasty comments on each others' status updates and photos. As an educator, I was faced with a difficult choice. I was actually at their home arena, where I have really nothing to say about how they behave. At the same time, as an adult friend, I could not ignore this.
* I also felt that some students would be my friend to sneak into my private life. I discovered that a girl had deleted me as a friend. Her explanation was: "you had no pictures ..." Was that the real explanation, or did she think that I cared too much about her comments to other students?
* I also felt that some students would be my friend to sneak into my private life. I discovered that a girl had deleted me as a friend. Her explanation was: "you had no pictures ..." Was that the real explanation, or did she think that I cared too much about her comments to other students?
* I also found it discouraging to read students' negative comments about school and schoolwork.
* Facebook has the 13 years of age. This was also very difficult for me, when my students in the 6th grade suddenly had a 15 - year birthday! Could, or should I comment on this?
Was there any positive consequences?
I got of course to know my students in a different way than I have the opportunity at school. I could use information from Facebook to resolve conflicts between students - conflicts that arose because of the activity on Facebook, which they then brought with them to school.
These things were however too difficult for me to relate to. I also felt that I was teaching full time. Now I have deleted my students as Facebook friends, and am only their teacher during my working hours.
* Facebook has the 13 years of age. This was also very difficult for me, when my students in the 6th grade suddenly had a 15 - year birthday! Could, or should I comment on this?
Was there any positive consequences?
I got of course to know my students in a different way than I have the opportunity at school. I could use information from Facebook to resolve conflicts between students - conflicts that arose because of the activity on Facebook, which they then brought with them to school.
These things were however too difficult for me to relate to. I also felt that I was teaching full time. Now I have deleted my students as Facebook friends, and am only their teacher during my working hours.
Interresting to hear about your experiences on the subject, as it is a very relevant question to ask oneself, do we really want our students as friends on social networks? After reading this post I am even more determined than before that facebook and other social networking sites should be kept private by us as teachers. Good job, and well written Anita:-)
SvarSlettHello Anita!
SvarSlettThis is an importent issue for all teachers. I think it is great that you tested how it worked with your student. I alsow have 6. grade, and I deny all friends request from student in my school. It has worked Ok for me. I send them a message that I don`t become friends with any student in our school, and I think they understand that.
I have been wondering if I should create a room for the parents in my class, but I am nor shure. Why should I do that? Anyone who have tried?
Yesterday I made the parentsroom on Facebook. I am curious how many members we get, and if it`s usefull.
SvarSlettThank you for your constructive comments! It will be interesting to hear your experiences about your parensroom. How big is your school? I'm thinking that it might will give different experiences, depending on how big the school is. In places where everyone knows everyone this room will work differently than on larger places?
SvarSlett