I gave my students my telephone number in case they needed to speak with me outside of class, as I rarely check my work email at home. This was a big mistake! Now I am getting texts from students instead of phone calls. I do not reply to texts, and have now told my students that I have removed texting from my phone plan. I will not make this mistake again.
Hi Cody,
We live and learn. I have been teaching for over 23 years, and I never give my students my personal telephone number. Simply, because it is way too PERSONAL in nature.
Patricia Scales
I would also stick to communicating through the school email. It is the most professional means of communication and there is always a paper trail if necessary.
I agree with a portion of what is being said here about texting, EXCEPT for the fact that it is somehow " too personal".
If you get a text that you don't want to answer; ignore it
If it somehow crosses the line; let that person know it.
I give my students my office e-mail addressand phone number,as well as my personal cell phone number, so that if they have a question, and emergency, or something similar, they can get in touch with me.
Communication between Teacher and Student is a key issue.
If I just gave them my office phone number, and my Departmental e-mail address, I would have to "hover" over my desk, and not go out and interact with the students in Labs, and class room discussions.
Too many people seem to think that e-mail is somehow a substitute for human contact or in-person conversation.
In my field ( Criminal Justice) there is NO substitute for being able to interact with people in any every possible.
I am going to have to disagree with the majority here. (Sorry)
I teach online classes and my students are all over the United States.
The school has a policy for instructors to reach out to our students if they are late with assignments or have not attended our class in more than three days.
I have found that the majority of my students prefer texting me then talking to me or sending me an email. I honestly do not mind if I get a text from a students. I feel as though they are trying to reach out in a way they feel comfortable.
In my opinion, anything is better than nothing. At least I know what is going on with my students and have a reason why they are not attending or have not submitted any work.
Does anyone agree who teaches online classes?
I am going to have to disagree with the majority here. (Sorry)
I teach online classes and my students are all over the United States.
The school has a policy for instructors to reach out to our students if they are late with assignments or have not attended our class in more than three days.
I have found that the majority of my students prefer texting me then talking to me or sending me an email. I honestly do not mind if I get a text from a students. I feel as though they are trying to reach out in a way they feel comfortable.
In my opinion, anything is better than nothing. At least I know what is going on with my students and have a reason why they are not attending or have not submitted any work.
Does anyone agree who teaches online classes?
I agree with you Patricia, communicating with your students via txt makes me uncomfortable. But I also agree with Elizabeth to some extent and may use it in a case-by-case basis. For example when a student has no internet access at home, I may have to use txt to relay messages.
Hi David,
I understand your perspective. Before cell phones came along students found means to get a message to you when an emergency came about. Some instructors share their cell phone number with students. My cell phone is strictly for my personal use, and I choose not to share my cell phone number with students.
Patricia Scales
Hi Gashaw,
Dealing with texting on a case-by-case basis is not a bad idea. What's key is communicating with students professionally, regardless as to how you communicate.
Patricia Scales
Patricia:
Thank you for your comments !
I agree with your wanting to keep the required separation between instructor and student intact, it sometimes depends on "logistics" though.
Most of my students live a distance away from campus, and couldn't "drop by" and leave me a note, etc.
The Switch Board here can forward messages to my office phone recorder, but during critical evenings, week ends, and before/after clases, there is a solid chance that I might not get any important information that way.
So far, I've had no "abuse" of my decision to give out my personal cell phone number, and it HAS solved a lot of critical communication issues that otherwise would have a negative impact on an already difficult situation for some of my students.
Thanks !
Dave Ob
I would also not recommend texting students unless in the case of emergency, but even then that continues to set a precedent for them to use texting when they deem it an emergency, but really it's not. In working with adult students, we are trying to teach them professionalism that they will carry into the working world. If we allow them to text, then it in turn deems it okay for them to use that same type of communication in the working world potentially with an employer. While some texting is okay with permission of the employer, but I've seen students (adult) use it as a non-confrontational method to deliver bad news, i.e. calling out sick, resigning, etc. Texting can sometimes become the easy way out.
Texting seems to be an ongoing issue. Due to prior student abuse of instructor cell phone numbers it has been requested that we do not give our personal cell phones out. Even though many of us teach adults, they are not always known to act accordingly. Students are given our work email addresses and the number for the school as we do have an answering service for non-office hours. Although we have become more dependent on email communication, we must also keep in mind that there are those without access to the internet. This is where I agree with the case by case sentiments expressed. While I am not open to publicly putting my digits out there for every student, I have no issue with a student who has a compelling argument and speaks to me on an individual basis regarding their need to have a method of direct contact besides email. Overall, I have not had any major pushbacks with students about not giving my cell # out and have only needed to make exceptions for 2 students who did not abuse the privilege.
Hi Christine,
I agree! Texting can be a coward act! Students need to follow company policy in the working world. It may not be company policy to calling out sick or call when you are running late.
Patricia Scales
Hi Tara,
I have been teaching for nearly 24 years, and I have NEVER given out my cell number. Students will find the means to contact you if there is dire need.
Patricia Scales
I dont think texting students is an effective way to communicate with students it is very informal
