Students, teachers and social networking
by Jordan Bienstock, CNN
Student-teacher interaction is a constant part of the school day. But should that interaction extend to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter?
Last year, Missouri passed a bill banning any electronic communication between teachers and students, although the law was revised after concerns that it might infringe on free speech. Now, school districts across the country are working to define rules regarding student-teacher relationships as they update their social media policies.
In an interview with the Sacramento Bee, high school teacher Jennifer Kennedy acknowledged that today’s students communicate via technology, and that “If you say absolutely no Facebook or texting, you are cutting off an important relationship with students.”
Still, Kennedy told the newspaper that she refuses any friend requests from students.
Anyone who follows the news is aware of the main concern surrounding students and teachers interacting online: the possibility of inappropriate relationships. The New York Times reported a rise in the number of complaints of inappropriate contact involving Facebook recently. When an educator does cross the line with a student, the reverberation is often felt across the teaching field, especially among those who regularly use social media, even if only in a positive way.
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Mission to educate
CNN Student News anchor Carl Azuz talks with former NFL star Derrick Brooks about his work in the field of education.
Your comments: Flipped classes
(CNN) This week we published two pieces on “flipped” classrooms on Schools of Thought. Flipping combines online video tutorials that students watch at home with assignments that students complete in class – the reverse of the current typical American student’s school day. Donna Krache explained the nuts and bolts of the process in Five minute primer: Flipped classes. Clintondale High School principal Greg Greene explained how he flipped his entire school in his post: My View: Flipped classrooms give every student a chance to succeed. The Detroit-area administrator says that when he flipped his school its failure rate dropped and test scores rose.
What do you think about flipped classes? Here are some of your comments:
I have 2 kids that attend the school and absolutely love the flipped school. Not only with the structure, but how the kids are able to connect with their classmates and teachers with questions through blogs and emails right away. If they can spend time on Facebook and YouTube, they can take a few minutes to watch a video of the next lesson which is not just a boring lecture…..the teacher/parent roles are now reversed with the bonus of the teachers teaching the lesson at your house. This helps the parents when their child has a question with assignments. I would have to read through the chapter and maybe even search the internet and hoped I explained it to them correctly. That is now what the teachers are doing, they review the lessons and answers questions. (from parent)
This is nothing short of brilliant. Some of it may be placebo effect or kids just feeling like they're getting more attention/special, but you know what? Who cares. It works. (from zach)
This is a great idea in theory, but if you can't get your students to do regular homework, how do you get them to watch a lecture? What happens if they go to class without watching the lecture first? (from mk)
Does anyone else have a problem with students (75 %) on free or reduced lunch but they "watch these videos outside of class on their smartphone"? Seems to be a bit of priorities that aren't where they should be. Breakfast, lunch and dinner...maybe there is an app for that...??? (from Joshua)
I'm a little tired of seeing all these comments that "the kids shouldn't have smartphones if they can't afford lunch" and "the parents should be helping these kids with their homework." That may be true, but that isn't the reality we live in. This principal should be applauded for trying (successfully) to help students succeed and graduate. Kids are not going to stop using their smartphones, so let's use technology to help them learn. Great idea. (from cma)
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Related: Student News
CNN Student News is ten minutes of commercial-free, cost free news for middle and high school classrooms. It is available on line on our website, as a free downloadable podcast on iTunes and on HLN at 4:00 a.m. ET weekdays during the school year. Go to www.CNNStudentNews.com@CNNSchools on Twitter
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