There is something quite brilliant about social media when it is used in the right way. Australia has been afflicted by floods, cyclones and fire in the past few weeks, and social media was instrumental in relaying messages and accessing information. But like all technology, there is always negatives that erode some of the positive aspects.
Social media such as Facebook were invented to connect people, to make them closer, to bring people together. It is so unfortunate to see the very innovation purporting to connect us being used for quite the opposite. In the past weeks I have covered Facebook misuse stories such as the unfortunate trend of parents using Facebook to publicly campaign against teachers, the case of the student that bullied his teacher on Facebook, and now unfortunately, comes this new story:
A teacher working at a special needs primary school said it was like ‘working at a zoo’ and that she wanted to throw pupils out of the window.
The teacher at the Oakley School, for special needs children aged between five and 11 in Tonbridge, Kent, also said the pupils shared a ‘particular brand of special germ which made her ill’ on her Facebook page.
The teacher was hauled before education chiefs after they had looked through her Facebook account – which also contained a ‘joke’ about throwing pupils out of the window.
She also criticised pupils, saying they ‘smelled her legs’ and that she was ‘working in hell’ in posts made in September last year.
Parents were furious that the teacher at the 50-pupil school was ‘mocking’ their children on the popular site and demanding she get the boot.
School chiefs have not said whether the teacher was sacked or whether she left after being confronted with the evidence – and say the matter remains ‘confidential’.
Teachers often get quite frustrated with a class or student and say things they later regret. However, these words far and away exceeded what a typical frustrated teacher says. What makes it so much worse is that the teacher had the foolishness and temerity to post her thoughts on Facebook. Teaching is a privilege – especially disabled children who rely on their teacher for support and guidance more than most. No teacher should ever speak of their students in that way!
I have heard teachers talk up Facebook as an educational tool, claiming that it’s perfect for the classroom. As a teacher myself, I remain unconvinced that it is a wise move to introduce Facebook to the classroom. Even if half the class are on it anyway, teachers should think twice before endorsing the innovation.
After all, we are seeing far too many cases of Facebook abuse.
Tags: Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Education, facebook, life, News, Parenting, social media, technology, Technology in the Classroom
Topical Teaching 
February 7, 2011 at 12:59 am |
Facebook is another web tool that shows how parents, teachers, and children all need to develop critical thinking skills and learn how to use Facebook (and other things–like texting, taking photos/video from their phones, blogs, and more) in an ethical way. Bad things are going to happen because it’s like any new tool/medium–we screw up at first when we’re using it. Teachers, parents, and children have always made horrible comments about one another in the past–and some will learn the hard way that an old-school comment that dissipated as soon as spoken is exceedingly rare in our digital age. I’m for using all the tools and social media that’s out there–and just learning to do it right! Thanks for your always informative posts.
February 7, 2011 at 11:46 pm |
Thanks for your terrific blog and wonderful comments.
February 7, 2011 at 9:46 pm |
thanks for your comment. It’s not that bullying is something new, but with the advent of the internet, it’ takes it to another level. Together, we can stamp it out. I believe they key to this is getting the parents involved. They have no earthly idea what their kids are doing online. It’s time the found out.
February 8, 2011 at 1:07 am |
As always your posts are interesting and informative.