Share Paper: "I miss my students": Characterizing teachers seeking connection with their students via social networking sites

  1. Arnon Hershkovitz, Tel Aviv University, Israel
  2. Alona Forkosh-Baruch, Levinsky College of Education; Tel-Aviv University, Israel
  3. Rebecca P. Ang, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Wednesday, June 25 2:00-2:30 PM B1096

Abstract: Teacher-student relationships are vital for well-being and academic development within schools, as well as for teachers’ professional development. As these relationships might be facilitated via social media, regulations restricting teacher-student communication via social networking sites (SNS) may have far-reaching impact. This paper characterizes differences between teachers who are connected or interested in connecting with their students via Facebook, and those who are not interested in such a connection. Findings suggest that differences between the two groups include age, years of teaching experience and years of Facebook experience. Also, differences were found in attitudes towards Facebook usage in teaching, as well ...