I was just reading the top story in today’s Richmond Times Dispatch: Richmond-area schools consider social-media policies for teacher-student interaction. The school divisions ofHanover, Henrico,Richmond andChesterfield do not currently have a policy that strictly addresses the use of social media. Is it necessary?!?!? Must there be a policy that governs common-sense?? Henrico School Board Chairman said it best, “Once you put something out there, it’s there. It’s not going anywhere. It’s going to be found.” So as professionals, we should govern ourselves accordingly. Remember, in the court of public opinion, we do not have to “be” guilty of impropriety we just have to “appear” guilty.
As a high school administrator, I cannot think of a good reason why I need to be facebook friends with any students (past or present) . . . or their parents for that matter. I have even “de-friended” some teachers who are in my building. I concluded that personal & professional lines should not cross. Now let’s flip this coin, as a means for communication, social media is a great way for teachers to relay school-related information/reminders after the school-day has ended. Students are more inclined to check their facebook page more so than checking their notebooks! I hope we have not gotten to the point where we need a policy to govern common-sense. What do you think??
I agree with what you said Will. All school systems already have a personal conduct policy. Those policies should cover how employees conduct themselves, both in “the real world” and “the online world.” There needs to be some level of trust that employees will conduct themselves in a professional manor. Those who do not, can be dealt with on an individual basis.
The best advice I have ever received from my grandmother was “to never place your business on the streets.” I have to think that somewhere, my poor old granny is turning over in misery just thinking about Facebooka nd all the “dirty laundry” being hung out to dry.
School boards across the country are struggling with this issue right now and I find it to be very interesting indeed. On one hand, educators are being told to engage students and their 21st Century Learning Skills by using social media meaningfully and on the other hand, this engagement can lead to unwanted consequences – all with the best of intentions.
Take for instance, a building level leader decides to unfriend individuals but remains friends with others – maybe because of a church or other civic connection outside of school – employees may cry out “favoritism” or “special privileges” or better yet, decide to retaliate. According to an Assistant Director for Human Resources in a local school division, retaliation lawsuits are on the rise and are being won which is hurting students as our dollars dwindle away in litigation.
Somehow this does not seem right – the decision to friend or not friend an individual can become embroiled in litigy; despite the fact that we painstakingly used common – sense and exercised what we thought to be good judgement.
After having this conversation time and again, it certainly makes me glad that I have chosen to remain Facebookless in a Facebook society. I will certainly stay tuned to how social media will impact educational policy decisions for communications.
I am afraid school divisions may have to have such a policy; the DOE passed a resolution for schools to develop their own prevention of sexual abuse policies which VCU’s own Dr. Shakeshaft was consulted on (this being an area of her own academic study).
I had to write our policy and it has yet to be approved by our board. Our policy puts limits on these relationships in social spaces but also encourages communication using the many tools we have available. It’s what I’d call a sensible, but middle-of-the-road approach.
I also lobbied against a stronger version of this proposal which eventually was supplanted. It would have prohibited any teacher/student interaction.
What we sometimes consider common sense is not always so-seen by all educators. I’m aware of too many situations which require some clarification for all parties as we acclimate towards emerging technologies for communication.
I have to admit that I have fallen a bit behind on my reading this month, as the start of school is looming close at hand. I decided to go back through some of the recent posts and, as always, am impressed by much of what my colleagues have shared.
The initial post by Will included a comment that stood out to me – “as a means for communication, social media is a great way for teachers to relay school-related information/reminders after the school-day has ended. Students are more inclined to check their facebook page more so than checking their notebooks”. I think this statement is certainly true, but I have to inquire why Facebook has to be the medium? Do most systems not have a school-based program which allows teachers to send out reminder messages, calendar updates, and such? The message is sent to the email the students (or parents) attach to the account and, in light of the mobile technology so many of us possess, can be easily accessed.
Why use Facebook when the schools have provided a suitable tool? There is no worry of mixing personal with professional, or as Jenn’s grandmother put it “putting your business on the streets”.
Regarding the Facebook issue, I am on the fence about the topic. I understand the functionality of Facebook and it does have some strong features for groups, and individuals. On the other hand I feel there needs to be a separation between social and business. School is a business and should be treated as such. Is it easier for a school system just to set policy to prohibit the use, or leave it up the employees to make their own choices? Being in HR, I see good people do stupid things and regret it later.
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