by Michelle Aranovsky
Editor-in-Chief
   Got homework? Some teachers may now ask you to turn it on Facebook. Lately, it appears that teachers and administrators have managed to navigate the information superhighway and find their way into our little corner of the Internet. The integration of social networking into classrooms has many implications for the future of education. While the benefits of creating a direct mode of communication between student and instructor via websites like Facebook may seem numerous, in reality, there are many underlying issues that further complicate teachers’ attempts to upgrade their teaching techniques to reflect the changing technology and resources of today. 

   The most prominent problem with turning social networking sites into an educational tool is that it blurs the line of professionalism that normally exists between student and teacher. Many potential ethical issues arise in this regard: Should teachers be allowed to “friend” their students? How about students “friending” teachers? If so, do teachers have the responsibility to report any suspicious photos or content posted by students that the teachers view online?

   My concern is not that students or teachers will begin “poking” each other, but that creating a group for submitting homework on Facebook makes the process overly casual. E-mail communication gets the job done without walking the tightrope of social networking. Most students would not use Facebook to contact a potential job employer or college admissions officer; so it is unlikely that they would feel comfortable communicating via  Facebook with a teacher.

   Furthermore, the fact that LGHS discourages students from accessing Facebook on campus computers sends a conflicting message. The school has recognized the distraction that the website poses for students. But if it becomes an integral component of class assignments, administrators will need to reconsider the role Facebook plays in the education of students. An additional conflict arises since many parents do not want their children to have an online profile. What are they supposed to say when their teacher asks that they have one?  Even if teachers allow hard copies to be submitted instead of turning documents in online, there still exists a possibility of conflict as the traditional and highly technological methods of communication and instruction collide.

   I appreciate teachers’ attempts to adapt their teaching style for the “new generation.” But please, well-done websites and e-mail communication will suffice. As our highly technological world becomes more complicated and ethical issues abound, it is simpler to keep separate the realms of education and play and to preserve the sense of professionalism that exists in the student-teacher relationship.