Cell phone numbers and students: NO!
No, no, no and NO. I could not believe I read this: "One simple way to identify with Gen Y students is to make your number available to them for contacting you."
This is the absolute LAST, and I mean LAST thing any educator should do. If you think I'm being over dramatic, watch this link:
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/25034390/2014/03/20/students-teach-students-how-to-get-teachers-fired-tutorial
I find it laughable to think that anyone would be a proponent of a student having a teacher's phone number, and it won't cause issues. Come on now!
Any educator should know that there is a line between student and educator, and to say that line should be crossed is ridiculous. We aren't friends with students, it's that simple. I don't care what generation a student is from, there is no need to give out personal information to any of my students, and I don't care to ever do so.
Even if this was only a "suggestion" about giving out cell numbers, it is bad practice, misleading and downright detrimental to an educator's career.
I have included my cell number for several years without a problem.
Actually I'm suprised they dont text more than they do. I reallythink it depends on the type of program ypu are working in.
I agree. I do not give my cell phone number. The students can call on the school line and leave message and I will call back.
I agree. Get a Google number or Skype and give them that number to leave voice mail messages. Otherwise they will call at two in the morning the night of day the assignment was due!!
Karl,
Point well made. My school has a policy against this, its a sure way to end up at the unemployment office. I have seen it where this has turned all bad for the instructor trying to help. Please proceed with caution.
Hello Michael,
We just started using google voice here at my school and it has been great because we can text the students and they almost always text back. We all follow the rules that our lawyers gave us and keep the communication only about school. It has been working out very well for us.
Thank you,
I agree completely agree I would never give a student my number. after they have graduated, and that is just a select few
Karl,
I totally agree with you. I am not a fan of giving my cell phone number out, however it has been the policy of our school to do so. As a result I have received many inappropriate calls and texts and had to make a personal decision to not follow that policy. I now tell students that they must email me about their issue. It is also difficult when your policy indicates that you must call each student when they miss a class (I am not a fan of that practice either- we should promote accountability).
Anyway, great post.
Billie
I do not give my cell number to students, but do let them know I frequently check my school email after hours. If they should require my attention, that's the best way to contact me.
I would strongly encourage others to seek out your employers policy for phone numbers as well as social media. Suprisingly some institutions have no written policies. Unfortunately, I have personally been falsely accused of inappropriate behaviour by a student. This situation could have turned out much worse had I given this student my phone number. It's a changed world out there. Again, if your going to give out that information I would suggest you have the backing of your administration in writing.
THANK You for your post! We are not to be there friends,parents or micromanagers. We should be teaching professional and ethical boundaries . I see coworkers give out phone numbers and lines are being crossed along with favoritism developing way to often. I believe the students need to be each others support system to build a stronger teamwork ethic. Let them call each other and bond!
I agree Rosemary. I have been sharing my personal cell number with my students for years. It defiantly can make some people uneasy at first. You need to set clear rules to the students. I had a couple of situations where the students overstepped the line but after I explained that what they did was wrong the problem went away. It is a good way to share info with them quickly. I send pics of the board for students not able to make it to class that day. Setting up a group text will make it safer since the students know the other students can read it too. Try Groupme.
greg,
it really is a matter of personal choice & also knowing your institution's policy. I know some instructors who feel this is the best way they can serve their students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree I would never share my personal phone number to any students. I always tell them if they need to contact me they can call the front office and have me paged. I think as a teacher its very important to keep our personal and professional lives separate.
Tim,
it really all depends on the institutional context & the policies you have in place, as well as your own comfort level.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree completely, I would never give my personal number to a student. Students can contact us by our company e-mail accounts and that is encouraged.
Google Voice is a great compromise! You can use a Google Voice number that can be linked to to your phone, but it can also be turned off at certain times. I have found this very useful.
Eva,
it could be misconstrued & you would definitely want to check with your institution's policies, yet we need to be careful about making blanket statements for everyone based on your own preferences.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Rosemary ,
yes, exactly the point & thank you for pointing this out. We own the phones & we set the boundaries; we need to recognize that there are times & places where sharing our numbers is appropriate & even preferred.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Karl,
I appreciate your perspective & you definitely have the right to your opinion, but we need to be careful about making adamant statements for everyone. Really this is a personal choice & I know many educators who have given out their cell numbers & it has actually benefitted their teaching experience & has been a tremendous help to their students. If a teacher feels they should not give out their number I support that decision, yet if they feel this is okay & appropriate, we need to support that decision as well. We need to be very careful about judging others based on our personal preferences, no matter how strong they may be.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
