Staff Writer
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The world of social media is likea second world. Social media has revolutionized the means of communication throughout the world, but the relationship between students and professors can become controversial.
In high school and college, social media is used for educational purposes.
But some professors find themselves walking a fine line between appropriate and inappropriate interaction with students, as well as any use of social media.
Certain posts from professors on social media may be questionable, like claiming to have had illegal drugs on campus, but is it understandable that a counselor be fired for pictures of herself almost 20 years ago?
For example, Tiffani Webb, a 37-year-old counselor at Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers, was fired after her photos of her previous lingerie modeling job from 17 years ago appeared on Twitter, according to the Huffington Post. She worked for 12 years at the school.
“I feel like my job should be judged on what I’m doing in the classroom, not something that somebody did before they ever were teaching. That’s kind of bothersome,” said Brenda Protz, a professor of communication at Lincoln Land Community College.
Protz said she thinks that teachers should have their own rule of ethics without school rules having to be enforced.
As a former journalism teacher, Protz said she advocates freedom of speech and does not think the school should put rules on what can or cannot be said through social media.
“I think everyone should follow this one basic rule: If you wouldn’t want your post/photo/link to be seen on the front page of the newspaper, or by a potential employer, then don’t put it on Facebook or any other social media, including Snapchat because I’m not 100 percent convinced that those photos ‘disappear’ after a few seconds,” said Claire Gordon, professor communication at LLCC.
Protz has a personal Facebook page, as well as a separate Facebook page for alumni. She said she does not add her current students on her personal Facebook, and even upon their graduation she does not friend all of her former student.
“I have a rule that I will ‘friend’ students — or former students — on Facebook if they request it first,” said Diana Coffman, a professor of microbiology at Lincoln Land. “I don’t initiate friendship on Facebook, since I don’t want to be accused of favoritism, stalking, overstepping my boundaries, etcetera.”
Many people who use social media sites do so to stay in-touch with their friends or family. Teachers can also use social media in the same way.
Professors can often turn into a student’s mentor long after class is over, and professors like to see their students becoming successful as they progress further in their life.
“It is fun after people have come out of my class and I’ve accepted their friend request once they’ve graduated or moved on, it’s fun to keep up with them,” Protz said. “I have students I have been interacting with and talking to for the last 15 years through Facebook. It’s really cool to see their lives progress and see them get married.
“I’ve been invited to weddings, and ‘Hey, I had a baby,’ getting told about their new job, and everything that goes on with them. That’s the part of it I really like. I like being able to stay in touch with people.”
Gordon agreed with the choice of not adding current students.
“I just feel like several potential problems can be averted by following this rule.”
Gordon did say friending students could be a good thing, though.
“Students are more engaged with social media than they are with their LLCC email, so that could be a great means of communication,” she said.
Protz agreed that students are increasingly becoming dependent on technology, but she has a different way of using this to her advantage.
“I’m very open with, ‘Here’s my cell phone number, text me if something has happened, and you can’t come to class.’ And a lot of teachers don’t do that. They’re like, ‘I can’t believe you just pass your cell phone number out,’” Protz said. “But I know for a big population of my students and their age group, it is the best way to reach them. I think in order to be better at what we do as teachers, we need to be able to adapt through the changing times.”
Mary Beth Ray, a professor of psychology, also enjoys seeing where students lives lead after they finish her class.
“I think it is a great way to stay in touch and enjoy seeing what my students are doing and accomplishing after leaving my class,” she said. “However, students need to be respectful of the fact that we are teachers, and they have requested being our (Facebook) friend.”
Some teachers like LLCC’s Terry Logsdon, a philosophy professor, and David Reynolds, a sociology professor, however, do not use social media.
As a student using social media myself, I enjoy staying connected with my professors or teachers. I love seeing some professor’s posts on my news feed, because most teachers I friend professors on social media sites I think I have established a relationship.
I also enjoy receiving feedback from teachers when they see successes I have made in my life.
It’s almost like certain professors are like another parent for me, but not as close. Yet, I still know many of them I could go to and talk to.
Social media can also be beneficial in the future as students’ progress through their life. Many students use previous teachers or professors as references for letter of recommendation.
“A lot of them (students) keep track of me because I crank out letters of recommendations, and job references,” Protz said. “Some of them don’t friend me until years later when something like that comes up and they really want my help. And I am happy to do that.”
Dominique Lamp can be reached at 217-786-2311 or [email protected].