Facebook 'Friends'
My fellow instructors use facebook to communicate with their classes, but I don't. I don't like seeing them and their pictures in that environment. Am I wrong and behind the times on this matter, or should I just sign up and start using this venue to communicate and monitor my students?
I agree, After graduation I will "friend" students. While they are my students I keep it on a professional level. Facebook has many personal levels that are best kept just that, personal.
I see how some instructors use facebook to communicate with their classes, however, I do not. The student can misunderstand the reason you are using facebook and start reflecting on Ms..soinso as being their friend which then can lead to the student thinking they can just conduct themselves how they would like to instead of whats required by them.
Hi Julie,
Sounds like a great tool to connect with students professionally. Do not become friends with students on regular Facebook; it sends out the message more of a personal relationship.
Patricia Scales
There is a new site that has been created for that reason. You can make it just for your classroom. Set up is much like FB. I don't for the life of me remember what it is called, however. We learned about it at an In-Service and I haven't used it since. Apparently, elementary - high school uses it alot.
I can't even really be found on FB, due to my privacy settings. When FaceBook started in 2004, it originated within networks, such as schools. When I created my profile for my school network, it was to perhaps point them to films, books and music they may not be familiar with. It was intended to expand their interests if they thought I was a good instructor.
I don't accept students as friends on FB. I will accept them on Linkedin for professional reasons. I keep my personal life seperate from them. Once they graduate then I feel it is ok to be Facebook friends. This way I can see how they are doing, if they are getting jobs and so forth.
Absolutely not! It is very important for instructors to maintain professional boundaries with their students. Keep doing what you are doing!
Hi Jayme,
I wailt until my students graduate to add them as a friend on Facebook. Instructors need to be very careful with befriending students.
Patricia Scales
I would not agree with adding any students on Facebook due to the fact that I think that makes you a friend and not friendly also seeing no harm in adding them after graduation
Hi Kelley,
I too do not accept friend requests from my students on Facebook. I let them know that once they graduate, I will accept their friend request. I do this very friendly with a smile. Students really do understand.
Patricia Scales
I do not friend my students either. I just ignore their request.
I totally agree. I tell them that they must graduate before I will even consider connecting on FB, even if I really like them and think we might end up as professional peers/friends later on.
Hi Jeff,
I agree! You can become your students Facebook friend once the students graduate.
Patricia Scales
Facebook friending students I don`t personally think is approproiate unless an instructor was setting up a page for a specific class that the students could follow
I don't think FB is the best way to communicate either. I rather explain people looking to their eyes and body language.
Some students only communicate through facebook. I do not friend them with my own facebook but I do have a professional facebook for our program. The students that are in my class typically engrade message me but every once in a while they will private message the program's facebook letting me know why they were not going to make it to class.
Yeah I would never be friends with my students on Facebook as well (I'm not even Facebook friends with some of my coworkers).
However, I will gladly add them as a connection on LinkedIn after the semester ends.
Amanda,
Facebook is certainly personal. In the work environment things should be kept strictly professional. LinkedIn yes, Facebook no.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jeremy,
I do not befriend my students on Facebook either. I wait until after they graduate to become their friend on Facebook. I use email to communicate with my students or via phone. I would continue to communicate as you are doing.
Patricia Scales
