Missouri Teachers and Social Networking

     Missouri Representative Jane Cunningham is sponsoring a bill that would, in part, ban teachers from sharing password privileged profiles with students they've taught within the past two years.  No penalties for doing so are outlined in the proposed legislation, however.

     My experience as a field service coordinator for MSTA compels me to caution members about using social media as a form of communication with students and parents.  The technology is too new to know the full range of pitfalls that may result from on-line conversations.  In fact, I am still taking calls from teachers who have had email tone misinterpreted by students and parents, and email has been around "forever," relative to this technology.

     Take a look at this article.  Opinions are welcome!

Comments

[James Sigler]

Whoa. Wait a minute! You mean, if I use a social networking site for my class, I would be breaking the law if I did not delete their accounts at the end of the year?! Social networks are not inherently evil. They are web pages, that could be powerful educational tools if used correctly. When did educational tools become criminal? This is fear-mongering.
I use Think.com, a password protected social networking site, to teach internet safety. It is password protected for the safety of my students. My students want to know what will happen to their writing and work they had created throughout the year. I allowed them to keep their accounts and their work. Those who do continue to log on, can help me teach the next year's students about internet safety.
I have serious free speech concerns about this bill. I have to agree with MNEA's position on this. The password protection is for my students' safety, not my privacy. This bill is wrong-headed and steeped in fear. Am I the danger to my students and former students, or is some unknown stranger?