The hype of having a Facebook account has worn off for Dianne Tillman, technology coordinator at Indus School.
However, it is at its peak for several students.
Like other area schools, the popular social networking site may not be accessed by students who attend Indus School during the school day.
“Facebook and many other social networking sites are under-moderated and as such the school staff are not able to monitor the content and/or contacts the students make using the site,” Tillman explained.
Tillman, along with other school officials, agree that there are no educational benefits of utilizing the site in a classroom setting.
“I personally do not see educational potential in using Facebook or other social networking sites, especially if their use is in place of face to face interaction in the learning environment,” she said. “A student becomes excited about learning when they see a teacher who is excited about teaching.”
Tillman said she feels that there are still too many privacy and safety issues involved with many of these sites.
“I rarely go to my Facebook account anymore,” Tillman said. “The novelty has worn off and I am concerned about the stability of the site and the privacy (or lack thereof) issues. I am considering closing the account completely.”
While Tillman may do away with her account, other Indus School faculty and staff members may continue to access the site. But personal use of school technology is prohibited in the districts policy.
Outside of school, faculty and staff have befriended students through Facebook.
“While I personally and professionally do not think it is appropriate for faculty or staff to friend a student on Facebook, I know that some have done this,” Tillman explained. “Administration has strongly recommended against this practice. I think it is extremely inappropriate and unprofessional for a teacher to engage in a social relationship with a student that has no connection to academics. It is potentially dangerous for both the student and the staff or faculty member.”
Like other schools, Indus has seen its fair share of bullying issues and Tillman agrees that Facebook only adds to the problem. While she doesn’t think the social network necessarily increases the amount of bullying overall, she said she does see it as another weapon that bullies may use to prey on their victims.
“It is a much more dangerous weapon than say, the nasty note passed on the bus or in the classroom,” she said. “With digital technologies, a bully can spread a rumor or nasty comment to literally millions of people in a matter of hours. Instead of perhaps only a few people hearing the rumor or nasty comments, now everyone with computer access can see them.”
Tillman added that the increase in the incidence of suicide following these cyberbullying situations should tell school officials that students must be educated in the proper use of these technologies so that they become decent digital citizens.
