Teacher-Student Online Networking: Weighing in

Recently, legislators in Missouri enacted a law that essentially bans online social networking between teachers and students ( see http://cnet.co/oypju1 for details). The rationale is that it would protect children from sexual abuse by blocking online chatting opportunities between students and teachers.

Does this make sense? In my opinion, not a lot. First, it seems like a band-aid solution for a problem that would find another way to resurface (likely through face to face interactions, rather than online). Second, it actually hinders the kind of communication between students and teachers that allows teachers to learn about the external factors shaping students' experiences, which is valuable knowledge for student-centered teachers. Third, it makes negative assumptions about teachers that damages our respect for their professional decision-making and work.

I can understand the worry that administrators have about teacher-student social networking - it's something that happens "after hours," in an informal arena. However, they must realize that students and teachers will communicate with each other anyway- they'll just find different means to do so. In fact, online social networks offer parents and administrators a clearer picture of the social networks that teacher and students are involved in and how they use them, especially if students have clear communication with their parents about their networking habits (such as sharing their social networks with their parents).

My recommendation is for administrators to find ways to help teachers use online social networks in a positive and productive way, rather than banning them altogether. Teachers can share information about what's going on inside the classroom and what's planned for the future with parents and students online. They can further students' interests in current topics by posting articles and links to helpful websites. They can learn from students by listening to them and learning who they socialize with (and why).

I have a professional Facebook page and several of my current and former students have friended me. It is a valuable information source for me as an educator. I learn about the heartaches and struggles students are going through outside of class; who has a relative who has died, who is working two jobs, who has a significant other in the armed forces, and so on. Students occasionally chat with me as well. They ask me about how to apply for jobs or scholarships, what to do to improve a particular assignment, or just to say thank you. I think students appreciate that I am there for them in this way, and I certainly benefit from getting a "bigger picture" of their lives.

There are precautions we should all take when networking online. Yet, the young people of today will be the leaders of tomorrow and will likely be networking online all of their lives. Including adults such as teachers and parents in young people's networks can help them learn how to use these technologies in a safer and possibly more educational way. Further, teachers must also learn how to engage with these technologies, because they will be the ones teaching this future generation, and cannot do so blind to one of the biggest parts of their lives. When we doubt that teachers cannot learn to use these technologies in a professional manner, we also doubt their professional judgement and abilities. This leads to the degradation of the profession on the whole (which sadly has been happening for some time, with repeated teacher-bashing in politics and the media). We need teachers to be supported in making professional judgement, because every child they encounter is unique, and they must be able to make unique choices regarding their education.

There is no single prescription for education; teaching is complex, and teachers must have opportunities to learn about the lives of the children they work with, inside and outside of school. Being able to connect online is one of those opportunities. Done thoughtfully and responsibly, it can be a powerful professional tool.