Trying to be a friend with the students
I see new faculty who want to be a friend of the students. We have had to make a rule that faculty cannot be a Facebook friend with any student. Being involved in social media with a student adds a completely different dimension to the student/faculty relationship. The faculty learn things about the student they should not know and the student learns things about the faculty they should not know. Being a friend of the student in any way is a mistake.
Being friends with your studnets is a very fine line that I feel all too many instructors cross. It always back fires. You are doing them a disservice by doing so.
I work in corrections so i have learned very early in life that it is not a good idea to get friendly with students. They lose respect for you quickly.
Demonstrating interest in students is possible without getting personal-just as we teach student nurses relating to patients. If giving an example in class who happens to be a family member- avoid saying though and just say, " there was a case or patient with such a condition and state whatever is relevant to the topic....this way avoiding any personal connection to self or family- works well
I agree, they then use that friendship to their advantage and sometimes it isn't seen
There is a fine line between being friends with your students and showing concern.
I have alot of needy students and showing concern and care are often mixed up as friendship.
I listen alot and encourage them to think of ways they can handle the problem more objectively, and come up with their own resolutions to keep their goals insight and to achieve their ultimate goal of graduation.
Often, students who are experiencing personal and family problems are seeking a sympathetic ear. There is a fine line between showing professional interest and allowing the situation to become personal. Instructors must be aware of this at all times, and be mindful to not allow a situation to become personal.
I totally agree, instructors should not be friends with students. I have had students state that they didn't like me but they did learn a lot in my class. If that is the case I did my job, I am not here in class to make friends, I am here to teach.
I agree, Brenda. I tell my students that they have to be respectful in my classroom. I never say that they have to like everyone (myself included) or be friends with anyone.
I worked with a gal who was friends with her students and it turned out to be a nightmare. I learned from her never do it.
Hi Shara,
Good lesson to learn at someone else's expense. Keep the student/instructor relationship "Strictly Business".
Patricia Scales
trying to friend eiter way it's not gonna be good students will lose trust and all this will make all the students
