Poll: Is Email Contact with K-12 Students Ok?
March 1, 2008 by Kate Olson
Background: I received an email today from a student about her new blog she created, her love of technology, and asking for advice on her blog. I responded to her, because it’s polite and I want to encourage her. I then tweeted how happy I was that a student was inspired by classroom blogging, which brought some replies and led to this:
I’m interested in public opinion on this topic: Is it appropriate to have email contact with students? Please weigh in!
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Kate,
I have e-mail contact with my students (Elementary School) too. They are ALWAYS student initiated and most of them are sent from their parents’ e-mail address.
I think it is wonderful that you are encouraging your student to blog and are giving her valuable feedback. That is what a teachers is there for.
Always double and triple check what you are writing in any written communication and always stay on a professional level.
Silvia
Just like with any other form of communication, it’s appropriate as long as we keep it appropriate. If the student in question came up to you in the hall and said the same thing, you wouldn’t think twice to congratulate and encourage her; why is email any different in this case?
That said, I will also concede that I keep copies of all student email correspondence in a separate folder on my work email JUST in case any questions of impropriety arise. But I guess in that sense, email is even “safer” (for lack of a better word) for those who use it appropriately than phone or personal contact because it creates a record of all communications.
It sounds like your interaction was perfectly appropriate.
Might not be a bad idea to casually let the parent know that you are responding to their child’s writing, what a wonderful venue it is for expression, etc.
diane
I completely agree with the previous two comments, and would like to add this: does it make sense to teach our students how to be good global citizens but then add “But don’t email me!!” I don’t think so. I think we should practice online what we preach in the classroom: how to be a good netizen.
Besides, this gives me the opportunity to show them that not everyone writes email in IM-speak; some of us use “real” English! How quaint!
[Prefix / Warning: I'm a student. I am, therefore, obviously biased.]
I see no particular reason why such contact would be considered inappropriate. While, yes, it is certainly possible to have inappropriate contact with anyone via email, that’s presumably not what you’re asking about, as that’s possible via any other communications medium as well.
Certainly, for most teachers, it is acceptable, appropriate, and in some cases, expected, to have email contact with students. Teachers since at least my 7th grade science teacher have invited questions on a variety of topics, both via their school or personal email accounts. For many, this is the best (or *only* out-of-school) way to get an answer to a question. So in that case, yes, email contact would be appropriate.
In the case that a student is not your student, I have an even harder time saying there’s a problem there. Sure, you’re a teacher and they’re a student, but that’s like a mechanic asking if it’s okay to correspond with other people because they’re clients of some other mechanic.
In short, I’m having a hard time seeing where that could be a problem. I may be missing something, however, because it’s been posed as a question. (Just my opinion, your mileage / situation may vary.) I’m interested to see what others have to say as well.
I do think it is appropriate for you to have email contact with your students. Teacher/student interaction is evolving as the technology evolves. A related concern of mine: My fourth graders have been blogging all year (www.room24.blogspot.com) and tweeting (room24). They have recently begun taking over this process by creating their own blogs and twitter accounts, which is great. They are tweeting me and colleagues of mine, but at some point they can go out and follow whoever they choose. This is a good opportunity for me to review internet guidelines with them. I get concerned for their safety as well as my role as a teacher in introducing them to these tools. I don’t know how old your students are… any thoughts?
I receive email frequently (lately to ask if an assignment is postponed due to a snow day!). I also receive messages through the wiki too. I do not think anything is a problem as long as you are clear and professional in your writing.
I was both thrilled and concerned when I first got emails from students. In my case, it was about web design/hosting so the content was innocent. But I agree that keeping records of your contact is a good idea. Students should feel comfortable enough to communicate with you about school and learning.
I have to take a position that says this is not a good idea. I also caution against phone contact for the same reason.
This communication is different than a hallway greeting because it is 24/7 access outside of school parameters.
In an effort to explain, let’s say student tells you they are involved in or considering any of the following:
– self-harm
– abuse
– going to an underage drinking party
– they are not going to the underage drinking party that’ll be happening this weekend
I think believe the best route for both teachers and students is to maintain boundaries.
Hi there,
We don’t have email addresses for our general student population, but we have an Independent Learners Laptop Class that does. There is a great deal of communication between teachers and these students. I am looking at whether we should spread the email access further.
As Damian has said it is probably one of the better ways of communicating as there is a trail left, and as long as there is no inappropriateness then there shouldn’t be an issue.
Ellen:
How would you respond if a student told you any of those things face to face?
How does email make that response any different?
These aren’t rhetorical questions. It doesn’t happen often, but students will and do say all of those things to teachers in person as well as online. So how would you respond?
@Ellen: Boundaries, I can agree with. Walls? Not so much.
When I think of boundaries on email communication, I think about communicating on school-related topics - i.e., keep it professional. My students email me to ask questions about projects, assignments, and scheduling issues. Sometimes, students who are out sick email me to get info on what happened in class, and what they need to do to be prepared for their return. We do not email to talk casually about drinking, partying, etc., nor would I ever condone it.
Boundaries are set in this forum just as they are in my classroom: in a professional context. How we as professionals conduct ourselves, both in face-to-face interactions and online communication (email, Twitter, IM, etc.) can set good (or bad) examples for students. Many schools across the US give all their teachers e-mail addresses for just this purpose - to facilitate communication between school and home. That doesn’t mean teachers have to check their email and respond 24/7; it just means they can be sent a message 24/7.
If a student was to email me to disclose suicidal ideation or report abuse (or, you could argue, drinking/drug use as well), then clearly they are calling for help, and I would act on that email the same way I would act if they told me in person: by putting them in touch with someone who is better trained to do so than I. I would also be thankful that they felt they could reach out to me and get that help instead of suffering through their problems alone and/or potentially harming themselves.
er, looking back, part of that last paragraph should read:
…someone who is better trained to help them…
I think it is appropriate as long as the content is kept appropriate, which your email sounded completely appropriate. I agree with some of the other comments that if we are encouraging our students to use these tools and to communicate with us, why not let them use the tools when communicating with us?
I think it is great that you are using blogs and opening the doors of communication.
I have had email contact with my students without any problems (all of the students have a school email address) but like someone else said, I saved mine in case anyone had any doubts of impropriety. I think this was a good way to model correct online etiquette. Actually one of my students emailed the principal about a concern but had an inappropriate signature at the end. The principal brought this to my attention and I was able to meet with the student and get this corrected. Many teachers at my school were able to send make up work to my students through their email and this saved so much time since I didn’t have to run around collecting this information. I think this email contact is appropriate between teachers and students.
Kate- I created their email accounts! I am using epals with my 8th graders and some partner schools in Spain. Prior to the kids in Spain writing us, my students communicated with me. Some asked for study help, test review clarification….weblinks. It was all pretty impressive. Now they are busy writing to the other students in Spain. I moderate the flow and get to smile to myself. They are making a true connection to real kids using the language skills I am teaching them and acting like great ambassadors.
I think it’s perfectly appropriate to use email to communicate with K12 students, as long as it isn’t inappropriate (but that would be true for all forms of communication).
Personally, I have students that will email me links to articles or webpages they think I might like, and often get emails asking for clarification on an assignment or project they’re working on for my class.
Also, I think it’s opened up a line of communication with several students that might otherwise be too shy to ask questions in front of the entire class.
I think email is an excellent tool for student communication.
I work in a high school and feel that email contact between students and teachers should be encouraged (not sure I need to clarify but just in case; encouraged for educationally appropriate reasons). Just like many other people have mentioned this is a digital age and email is a large part of this. We have an obligation to prepare our students for the world when they leave the safety of our school and part of the preparation they need is how to navigate the tools and resources that they will be required to use. Most college courses require students to use email for “formal” interaction with their professor (ex: to turn in papers, etc.), students need to see others model an appropriate use of this medium. Much of their interaction online is with their peers and that, as we know, has it own jargon that is not accepted when communicating for more formal purposes.
Trust your gut; if it feels like something is not right…..
Kate keep up the great blog and your excellent work in education.