Journal #7

Should Students Be Your "Friends"? From L&L May 2009
Now that we have addressed the importance of technology in the classroom, it's important to recognize boundaries. Because it is more accessible (i.e. from home as well as school), teachers and students can communicate via e-mail, instant message, and now Facebook/Myspace.
Some wonder since these are social networking sites, is a teacher getting too familiar with their students by adding them as "friends" on Facebook or Myspace?
There is still some debate. While others believe it's simply another channel to communicate missed assignments, etc. others think it's a less professional environment than that classroom. While teachers and students are encouraged to interact with one another, they are to do so with some restraint; social networking sites provide personal information that is not necessary for, and sometimes detrimental to, a normal teacher-student relationship.
Although teachers have been warned, what do they think of using social networking sites to communicate with students?
Again, the jury is still out. One teacher said it was the same as calling home or e-mailing, while another indicated that these sites provide technological and networking skills that e-mail cannot. Others were more wary of Web 2.0 applications because of the behavior users often exhibit on social networking sites, claiming "there's a lot of flirting."
Since there is nothing set in stone, it seems the decision is ultimately left up to the teacher to make a professional decision.