Should Students be Your "Friends" by Diana Fingal
The article written discussed the debate of whether or not teachers today should become friends with their students on networking websites, primarily Facebook. There article begins by pointing out an incredibly surprising fact for our culture: Facebook has become just as popular (if not more, as argued in the article) amongst adults than it has for kids. Adults have been able to use Facebook to get in touch with old friends and network with people they never see.
The article then presents the argument; should teachers use Facebook as a way to network with their students? Two different sides are presented in a well manner. Those who believe teachers should have a right (and a benefit) to having their students linked to their personal web pages argue that this interaction allows teachers to better relate to their students. Teachers can better teach if they are also able to connect with their students personally. Also, they believe that the presence of teachers on Facebook allows to students to learn the proper way to handle having a Facebook.
Those who argue against this believe that this kind of relationship “violates the student-teacher relationship”. Besides a possible lack of respect for the teacher, this could also lead to stuff such as flirting and other inappropriate behavior.
Before I give my opinion, I will say that I totally believe that teachers at the high school level (which is where I want to teach) should be working hard to find effective ways to run part of class over the internet. I STRONGLY believe that this creates an interest in the subject in the minds of the students and prepares them for life in this “technology” era. However, under NO circumstances do I think a teacher should become friends with students in his class room, mostly because I don’t see the need. There are other ways to create a safe environment on the internet, an environment where the teacher is still the teacher and not just a peer. I think that the dangers of flirting, inappropriate conduct, and other web based issues show the possible “pros” do not match the possible “cons” of this networking.
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I believe your concerns of having teachers and students as friends over social networking sites like facebook are valid. However, I don't think there is reason to completely say they can not use such a tool. Granted, the teacher should not use their personal account that they use to network with friends and peers, but I could certainly see a specific account made for use as a teacher. This would allow teachrs to keep an eye on their student's "net lives," while retaining their authority and allowing them to have better control over what their students (and parents) see about their own life.
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