CLINTON —
Soon teachers will be going back to in-service in their districts.
As a former teacher, I have a suggestion for local school leaders — put this topic high on your agenda at in-service: Teachers and Facebook.
Unfortunately teachers already deal with the misuse of cell phones in the classrooms.
Guidance counselors already deal with Facebook wars.
The advantages of technology in the classroom are tremendous, but social networking sites like Facebook are dangerous, particularly when teachers invite students to be friends.
The Dec. 10, 2010, issue of the School Leader Update (p. 15), a newsletter put out by the Iowa Department of Education, addressed the issue of Facebook in its “Legal Lessons” section. The legal department gave “Policy Pointers” to educators on the subject.
It recommended that “educators limit student access to their site (Better yet, prohibit student access to any personal site not maintained solely for instructional purposes), never post images of students, keep a strictly professional relationship with students on such a site, and do not ask to be a student’s friend on the student’s site and do not accept a student’s invitation to be his/her friend.”
When Facebook started, I joined just to see what my students were talking about. I accepted one friend and as soon as I did, I was bombarded with friend requests. I never accepted another student. The red flag, for me, at least, had gone up.
I strongly believe that the staff, school boards, and administration in all Iowa districts have an obligation to listen to the advice of the Department of Education and ask their teachers to stop social networking with students.
The Northeast, East Central, and Preston districts are troubled due to merger issues. Facebook is contributing to the unrest. Kids watch what adults do and say. They spend tons of time social networking via cell phones, tablets, iPods, you name it.
I ask all school leaders, whatever district they belong to, to discuss the topic Teachers and Facebook in the days ahead.
I ask all educators (administration and school board included) in all districts, whose students listen to them and respect them, to review their use of Facebook.
Laurel Gruhn,
Former English and technology instructor, East Central Middle School
Opinion
July 27, 2012
READER'S LETTER: Teachers, districts must review social networking policies as school begins
- Opinion
-
-
THE HERALD'S OPINION: Good job, Clinton City Council
It's been a long road, but the city of Clinton is just a few signatures away from having a permanent city administrator in place.
-
LEVINE: There is plenty to do in Gateway area this summer
It came later than in years past, but summer is officially here.
- Reader happy with Rowland's no vote Will this city ever get their priorities straight? Here they are going off on a no-smoking ban when they can't even get garbage collection straight. Look at that fiasco. We spent all sorts of money to buy new collection cans and garbage trucks becau
-
Easton Valley board is right to fight whole grade-sharing agreement
The Easton Valley School District is open for business. While this new school district has had to endure some trials and tribulations in getting to this point, the future looks great. We have a great working relationship with two school districts.
- Project ordinances should have end dates The sewer tax rates in this city of Clinton are extremely high, and they will increase even more. We have been led to believe that the cause of this cost is due to state and federal mandates, EPA regulations, etc., so the city has no choice but to co
-
LEVINE: Sports book will feature best athletes, teams
From Duke Slater to David Johnson, the area's athletic story is a long, winding story, of many successes and firsts that get lost through time. Titles and all-state recognition aren't hard to find throughout the history of Clinton, Camanche and Fulto
-
Clinton Public Library gears up for busy week
Library users might notice a lot of movies and gaming activities this summer for all ages at the library. We're pleased to announce that the young adult department received a technology grant and this money was used to purchase a 60-inch television.
-
THE HERALD'S OPINION: City officials must follow correct path to get where they want to go
The interviews are completed, the open houses concluded. And now with the information they have culled in front of them, Clinton City Council members must decide which, if either, of the two final candidates they will select to be Clinton’s next city administrator.
-
Tide beginning to change for Clinton area
There's something different about Clinton in 2013. We're only five months into the year, but already, this is unlike any other year that I've spent in the city. I will mark five years of being a Clinton resident in June, and the amount of positive ch
-
More than books
Hello Clinton! I mentioned summer reading in last week's column. Let's go into more detail. Kids can win amazing prizes this summer by signing up for the summer reading program at the library. Stop in at either the Main or Lyons branch in June or Jul
- More Opinion Headlines
-
THE HERALD'S OPINION: Good job, Clinton City Council
