Maintaining a Professional Image
I do not create "buddies" with my students.
Hi Rob,
I concur! Maintain professionalism at all times in order to keep your credibility.
Patricia
an instructor cannot become frineds or buddies with students. this never ends well, stay away from social networking, stay away from nonschool contacts. you must be respected as a professional or you stand for little.
Hi Raul,
The instructor should always be in control. If the instructor sees that the conversation/actions are taking a personal turn, it is the instructor's responsibility to bring the professionalism back and end the personal side of things.
Patricia
Without even knowing and after completed this model I think, I’m doing a good job to maintain a distance with the students. On my first day of class, I let them know that “ I’m here to help you if you let me help you and if I can’t help you I will find someone who couldâ€.
Some students after been helped they try to create a friendship after class or to know my personal life. When I see how the conversation is leading too, I look to change the subject immediately. I strongly consider that professional Instructor should maintain a distance with all students.
My school has defined guidelines for fraternization and socializing on something like facebook, and it is not allowed. I support this policy after finding things a little too familiar on the socializing sites. I think I project a professional image except in one area, my students call me by my given name. I plan to have my students call me Ms. Patty from now on and will call them Ms.x and Mr.y I think it will establish a feeling of mutual respect.
Hi Robert,
I concur! Invites from a current student can possibly be too risky. Wait until the student graduates then accept the invite.
Patricia
There appear to be some contradictions that one must be careful of. I have heard other faculty encourage students to develop professional contacts including creating accounts on networking sites such as "Linked In." The potential problem here is that we udnerstand sites such as this are not meant to be "social." Rather, they are means of developing "professional" networks. I prefer not to accept an invite from a current student.
I believe that creating buddies opens up a lot more conversation in the classroom during lecture or lab participation. This is not beneficial for other students learning as well as motive to learn.
