I have a personal account and a Full Sail account. I don't want to hurt their feelings and they are sweet kids, but I don't want to have to censor myself, nor do I want them following me around town.
Options?
Thoughts?
What do you think?
Should I ignore them?
Should I direct them to my Full Sail account?
Should I quit worrying so much?
:)
I am friends with present and past students on facebook. There should be no problem with former students whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I have tenure. In addition, I would never post anything about being hungover, or racist or sexual in nature, and only the mildest of curse words. I don't 'friend' any icky people from my past who post anything that might not flatter me. Not that anyone like that exists.
I use facebook to broadcast to the students I currently have. My status might be "It's golden hour, time for AP to get those texture shots in!"
In a broader sense, I think the presence of adults in myspace and facebook puts a crimp in the bullying, and other extreme behaviors and discussions that might take place on social networking sites. I think I do more good being present and around just as my presence in the hallways at school might mitigate bad behavior. My absence would only send the message that I'm out of touch. My refusal of friendship would only be interpreted as lack of caring.
Plus you can assign people into groups, and limit what groups see what. I have friend family, students and former students, for instance, but at this point I don't limit what any group can see. I'm not doing anything I'm ashamed of, or that I wouldn't discuss in the presence of students who asked how my weekend was.
Joann,
ReplyDeleteTypically what I say on Facebook, I would say in front of anyone that I have befriended on there. I have three accounts though. #1 - Personal, #2 - Full Sail and Work, and #3 - for my students. If a former or current student tries to be my friend on one of the other accounts (and I want to befriend them) then I will tell them about the other account or search for them using that third account.
I do have some current and former students that I have no desire to keep in touch with. They were rude, disrespectful, and immature when they were in my class and I have no desire to let that be seen on my wall.
But I think ultimately the answer is this "What do you feel comfortable with?" However you respond, that is your answer.
Good luck!
~Jeanette
Yeah, that's a tough question. I friended only former students on myspace, but for the most part they weren't interested in my life away from the classroom and visa versa. Of course, as much as I've always chosen to maintain one account for every social network, I'm finding that I'm going to have to switch to having one personal account and a separate Full Sail account. Ack.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to have such smart friends. :)
ReplyDeleteJoann,
ReplyDeleteI'm finding for me in my life I need and have separate facebook/myspace/twitter accounts. The main reason is that I do so much. I have one facebook page for my music, on for Full Sail and one for personal reasons. I don't think accepting friend request from former students is a problem if you keep them separate from the rest of your life. If you have former students that are adults (mature adults, of course), then I would just do what ever makes you comfortable.