Post by title1parent on Aug 19, 2010 5:14:49 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=401821&src=
Embrace technology warily in schools
Daily Herald Editorial 8/19/2010
Remember feeling embarrassed to see your teacher outside of school, when you dodged to another aisle in the store to avoid an awkward conversation? From a teen perspective, it was hard to imagine teachers had lives of their own.
Enter the age of social networking, where anyone can easily be friends with anyone else, and cyber relationships between teachers and students are increasing. Electronic communication has given them a sure way to keep in touch on homework and other school-related matters.
What could be better? Adults need to reach untalkative teens. Teachers need to get and keep the attention of their students. However, school officials are beginning to recognize that the
private, one-on-one nature of this type of communication could lead to inappropriate relationships.
At Mundelein High School, employees will return this year with the directive to avoid contacting students through personal e-mail, texting or social websites. The new policy mirrors one recently put in place by nearby Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools. Naperville Unit District 203 also is considering new guidelines.
Other districts should take note. Those that already have policies on Internet use at school would be wise to expand them to include these new trends. An updated policy not only could keep students from harm, but teachers and staff members who follow the rules would be better protected from accusations that could lead to job loss, lawsuits and even criminal prosecution.
It may be just coincidence, but in the same week Mundelein's policy was announced, an ex-teacher in Antioch was sentenced for having a sexual relationship with a past student and a former Grayslake High security guard received probation over a lewd picture of a teen on his phone.
There will always be bad apples, no matter the background checks, but it's not only predators these guidelines target. Well-meaning educators have fallen into inappropriate relationships that started as friendships.
To some, these new rules may appear overcautious, even extreme. And one cannot help but note the irony. While being told to avoid the technology that could help them communicate with students, teachers and staff are continually trained on the latest high-tech tools to enhance learning in the classroom.
It's not to say that personal relationships are suddenly taboo. Many teachers who have taken a personal interest in students have influenced them in positive ways. It's when the line between friend and teacher is blurred that things get dicey. The Mundelein policy states the TAP test: communication must be transparent, accessible to others and professional.
Schools still can embrace new technologies. But training must include teaching proper boundaries, and policies must keep up with this fast-changing facet of education.
Embrace technology warily in schools
Daily Herald Editorial 8/19/2010
Remember feeling embarrassed to see your teacher outside of school, when you dodged to another aisle in the store to avoid an awkward conversation? From a teen perspective, it was hard to imagine teachers had lives of their own.
Enter the age of social networking, where anyone can easily be friends with anyone else, and cyber relationships between teachers and students are increasing. Electronic communication has given them a sure way to keep in touch on homework and other school-related matters.
What could be better? Adults need to reach untalkative teens. Teachers need to get and keep the attention of their students. However, school officials are beginning to recognize that the
private, one-on-one nature of this type of communication could lead to inappropriate relationships.
At Mundelein High School, employees will return this year with the directive to avoid contacting students through personal e-mail, texting or social websites. The new policy mirrors one recently put in place by nearby Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools. Naperville Unit District 203 also is considering new guidelines.
Other districts should take note. Those that already have policies on Internet use at school would be wise to expand them to include these new trends. An updated policy not only could keep students from harm, but teachers and staff members who follow the rules would be better protected from accusations that could lead to job loss, lawsuits and even criminal prosecution.
It may be just coincidence, but in the same week Mundelein's policy was announced, an ex-teacher in Antioch was sentenced for having a sexual relationship with a past student and a former Grayslake High security guard received probation over a lewd picture of a teen on his phone.
There will always be bad apples, no matter the background checks, but it's not only predators these guidelines target. Well-meaning educators have fallen into inappropriate relationships that started as friendships.
To some, these new rules may appear overcautious, even extreme. And one cannot help but note the irony. While being told to avoid the technology that could help them communicate with students, teachers and staff are continually trained on the latest high-tech tools to enhance learning in the classroom.
It's not to say that personal relationships are suddenly taboo. Many teachers who have taken a personal interest in students have influenced them in positive ways. It's when the line between friend and teacher is blurred that things get dicey. The Mundelein policy states the TAP test: communication must be transparent, accessible to others and professional.
Schools still can embrace new technologies. But training must include teaching proper boundaries, and policies must keep up with this fast-changing facet of education.