As the popularity of Facebook continues to soar, it becomes one of the most ubiquitous means of communication in the 21st century, college professors are considering academic applications of the social networking site.
While many still believe in the strict delineation of the student-teacher relationship, others express no hesitation whatsoever in making their profile public to their pupils.
A handful of professors and students were asked for their views in an attempt to get the scoop on the University of Tampa’s popular opinion on the issue.
Erica Dawson, assistant professor of English at UT, said that while she owns a Facebook account, she does not allow her social and academic lives to mix. She did, however, believe strongly in the potential of the site.
“Even though I have a no-friending-students policy, I think Facebook groups created by/for a particular class or club are fantastic.” Dawson said.
“They can be great forums for discussions that can’t fit into class time and, maybe more importantly, groups like that can create a real sense of community for the students.”
She seemed less confident about the site’s value within the classroom itself.
“I’m not sure if it serves any academic purpose, but that’s a hard phrase to define,” said Dawson.
She said that Facebook had been tremendously effective in allowing her to promote her own literary works and spread awareness of poetry readings that she had participated in.
Echoing Dawson’s views, Charlotte Moscardini of the writing department also expressed her firm belief that Facebook should have no place in the unique relationship between teacher and student.
“I do not share my Facebook account with students,” Moscardini said. “There’s a line between professional and personal life.”
Moscardini stated that she too uses her account primarily as a vehicle for her literary and scholastic ambitions.
“I established this account at the insistence of my editor. I rarely post on facebook, and when I do, it is only to indicate a professional accomplishment,” Moscardini said.
Other UT professors, like history professor Terry Parssinen, said he and his wife and fellow academician Carol Parssinen do not subscribe to the Facebook craze at all.
In stark contrast to these fairly conservative views on Facebook use among faculty, a few teachers are considerably more open to sharing aspects of their social life with pupils.
One notable exception to this pervasive hesitancy, Marie Ingalls of the language department, openly invites students in her classes to friend her on the social networking site.
On the whole, UT students seemed every bit as unsure about the academic future of Facebook as did their professorial counterparts.
Senior Michael Hannon expressed the concern that Facebook in the classroom has high potential for damaging reputations among the student body.
“Most student profiles are obliterated with drinking pictures. I don’t think most professors want to see that,” said Hannon. “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Fellow senior Nina Pieri agreed with this evaluation.
“I have a few adults friended on Facebook, but I’ve never even considered the possibility of adding professors,” said Pieri.
“Kids would have to start setting their accounts on super-private if they had any sense.”
Jeffery Palmer can be reached at jpalmer@spartans.ut.edu.