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In the News

"Friending" students online — a good idea or risky business?

Advances in computer technology over the last 10-15 years have brought many unparalleled enhancements to the classroom setting. Even in the arena of social networking sites, such as "Facebook," "MySpace," "Twitter," or "LinkedIn," there may be a place for teacher to student communication, and vice versa. The challenge, however, may be figuring out what is considered to be a "constructive" or "appropriate" use of such sites.

Kerk Kee, a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Texas, says he has mixed emotions on the topic. Kee doesn't accept "friend" invites from students on Facebook if they are currently in his class—he opts to wait until the end of the semester when grades are handed out, so that there is no "conflict of interest" on the matter. Kee also does not want to create the impression that he is "favoring" certain students over others.

Kee's cautious approach to using sites like Facebook differs greatly from that of Cindy Royal. Royal, who is an assistant professor of journalism at Texas State University, has gone so far as to make it a requirement that her students follow current events using Twitter. She also uses Facebook to communicate with her students on a regular basis. Royal feels that if she is discussing social networking sites in her classes, it would be contradictory to not use them as a medium.

Whether you lean towards the sentiments of Mr. Kee or Ms. Royal on the topic of using social networking sites as a means of communication with your students, the bigger issue seems to be how you use them. If you choose to incorporate them as part of your teaching, a word to the wise might be to simply set clear boundaries and guidelines when using these sites. Before making social networking sites a part of your academic environment, ask yourself the following questions:

Who are you communicating with? Be sure that your lines of communication are open to all students — not just a select few.

What type of information is being exchanged? Make sure that the content and nature of your communication is appropriate and school-related in some way at all times.

Source: Austin American-Statesman