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.
Topical Teaching 