There's a relatively new term coined by tech. academics called a "Creepy Treehouse." That is, when a professor integrates online social networks into the curriculum (like Twitter and Facebook).
Read the blog about it in The Chronicle of Higher Education as well as the blog responses:
http://chronicle.com/wiredcampus/article/3251/when-professors-create-social-networks-for-classes-some-students-see-a-creepy-treehouse
As a teacher, I believe social interaction with students, in ANY sort of environment, can be professionally detrimental. If it was to be a part of my students' class grade, there would have to be a justifiable objective to it. In other words, it would certainly have to do with something being taught & learned in that particular subject area. It would have to be RELEVANT to the course.
Personally, I think we can intelligently interact on newsworthy issues without being invasive and personal. I hope this blog can do that for everyone. If it starts to become somewhat of a "creepy treehouse" though, let me know. (I don't ever want that!)
1. What are your views on the concept of the "creepy treehouse"?
2. When do you think a professor/teacher crosses the line when it comes to implementing new technological features into a course?
3. Finally, what do you think about "befriending" your professors on such social networks as Facebook, Myspace, etc...?
22 comments:
1.) my views on the concet of the creepy treehous is that i agree it can become werid when a stranger or a teacher that you dont know whats to get personal with you on certain level it makes u feel werid and uncomfortable.
2.)I dont think a professor/teacher can cross the line with nw technological features into a course inles they ask or want to know things about you that are unethical to there job they should know there limits, but if its for bettering the student for life then its ok.
3.)I dont think its ok for someone to befriend your professors sometimes you can just take someone the wrong way and personal ideas are not facts.
1)My views on the "creepy treehouse" is that in some sense yea it is kinda weird for a teacher/prefessor to want to get personal with a student...
2)With technology as advanced as it is today i think that there are many ways outside of myspace,facebook,etc. that teachers can interact/talk with there studends outside of class..for example like what we do with our blog.
3)And i think befriending you professors/teachers on myspace is a little weird. That is supposed to be your thing outside of school that you should not have to worry about what your teacher will see.
1. What are your views on the concept of the "creepy treehouse"?
I believe that this might be a good way to keep in touch with students and especially for those whose lives are in complete anarchy and they can't rely on their parents, but they might feel better if they know they cn rely on their teachers and it might help them out in life. Although I know that some might use it for getting too close and personal, so I agree there is definitly a fine line.
2. When do you think a professor/teacher crosses the line when it comes to implementing new technological features into a course?
I believe that that line lies somewhere when the course can not be passed without having to use the computer most of the time.
3. Finally, what do you think about "befriending" your professors on such social networks as Facebook, Myspace, etc...?
I think that in some cases it can be a good thing, because as I mentioned in the 1st statement it can really help some students with their social life and give them hope; however there is that possibility that teachers and/or students will use it to get too close and personal.
The "creepy tree house" has always existed, but now with the faceless web you just don't know who you are communicating with. Let alone who is viewing your personal and sometimes confidental confessions.Myself I am not a young student, and know little of how the younger generation uses the social networks of the web.
A professer/teacher crosses the line when the content of the assignment has no relevence to the class.
Too me there are two kinds of friends professional and personal. A professional friend would be a boss,co-worker, teacher, another student. This is someone you have to be around for a designated time. A personal friend is someone that is invited into your social and family life. Yes a person can be both, as long as, each person respects the boundries and can differentiat between professional and personal time.
1) My personal view of the creepy tree house is that social interaction with teachers can be a bit weird and even a bit unconfortable or embarrassing for both the student and the teacher.
2)I agree with Ashley about how advanced technology is today there are many ways other than personal places on the web such as myspace and facebook etc.. that students and teacher can enteract on using all of the new technological features available to us.
3)There is a delicate balance between students and teachers and befriending on personal spaces could interupt that balance. If teachers and students are able to maintain that balance then so be it but if not, well.....
1)As far as the concept of the "creepy treehouse" i find that it is very easy for a teacher to communicate with their students over the internet. With that said as with every action in this world, there are boundaries, fine lines, a place to halt,etc.I can understand if it is a required task for a grade, but there is only so far a teacher/student can go.
2)A teacher/student crosses the line when it (technological features in the course) includes more pleasure than business, and by saying pleasure I mean if the situation becomes personal between the teacher and student.
3)When I think of Myspace,Facebook,etc. I feel that those sites are made to be more personal than something that a course would include. Those types of sites are made out for socializing with friends, and making potential friends on a more than friendly level. Don't get me wrong because that is my opinion, and everyone is subject to his/her own. But when it comes to a teacher and student relationship as far as school is concerned, those sites are inappropriate.
1. I have mixed feelings about the concept of the "creepy treehouse". We are becoming a more technological society but I feel there still should be face to face contact when learning. People seem to learn better when there is someone there in person taking them through the steps.
2. I think it's crossing the line when technology is all that is used when the class is not a online or computer class. It's also crossing the line when the student is asked to release too much information.
3. I would feel a little weird about befriending my professor on myspace. If the professor started a group for his/her class on myspace or facebook as another source for help that would be ok.
My views on the Creepy Treehouse are i really dont think they should be aloud to have that because of what has happened in recent times. But on the other hand i think it kind of would be a good thing becuase you can talk to your teachers on a personal level. But it should'nt be that personal.I think befriending your teachers would be really wrong to do. But if the teachers don't force the students to join. Then there should be no problem.
I think that the creepy treehouse really can get weird. Especially if it's forced. People should never be forced to do something they don't want. Sites like Myspace and Facebook are places where students get away from the pressures of everyday life and school. It's where they keep in touch with friends, family and piers. It's a place of privacy where they get to select who they want to let in and I think teachers shouldn't invade that. With so many teacher/student sexual conflicts that are in the news today, things can get very sensative on what's crossing the line or not. It should stay strictly professional if such things are incorporated as part of the class. Blog groups are the best, and what happened to good old-fashioned e-mail if you wanted to talk to your teacher outside of class? From a personal experience, it is possible to become friends with a teacher. My band director of 4 yrs in high school became one of my good friends and still is. He was my mentor, best friend, like a second father, someone i could go to and talk to. He not only taught you music and it's fundamentals, he taught you life lessons that will stick with you for a lifetime. You know that one teacher that makes a difference in your life for the better, you will never forget and always talk about? For me, it's Mr. Barat. He's a very big reason for me being who I am today. We would grab lunch 2gether sometimes, we even went bowling a couple times. Now he has moved to Jacksonville (about 2 yrs ago) due to a better job oppertunity, but we still keep in touch and I've even gone to visit him and his family.
As far as the creepy treehouse is concerned, I believe that a relationship between teacher and student is paramount, from an academic standpoint. When you begin to take that relationship to another level, though it may be okay, society will deem it unacceptable. My opinion, however, is fairly undecided on this matter due to the mere fact that I believe a relationship with a teacher/professor/scholar could be beneficial academically and socially.
I believe any form of technological interaction between professors and students can be extremely helpful. I agree with Alexandria whereas excess use of technological features in a non-online based course could take away from the overall consumption of material any given course may offer. However, I believe that if you provide a student with numerous tools to utilize in a learning environment, it will yeild success.
Again, I will insinuate that a relationship between a professor and a student can be utterly beneficial in many ways. The only significance that "Myspace" and "Facebook" posess is that which society places upon it. If a student wished to befriend a professor, I believe it is acceptable.
1.)The "creepy tree house" can be a little strange when the professor takes a unprofessional approach such as requiring postings on blogs that are personal, such as relationships and financial status.
2.) I think a professor crosses the line when he/she uses the blogs to gather information on students out of school life and and require responses to pass class.
3.) I think that as long as the professor concurs on a befriending relationship that it is acceptable. After all I think that is can be rather helpful to have a professor as a friend. The professor can lend support on assignments and help you cope with the stresses from school.
To address the complaint that this kind of "intrusion" can wreck havoc with an individuals privacy is ridiculous. Honestly if you wanted to keep some aspect of your life private, keep that off the Internet. Regardless of what website you use to interact with friends or family, there are always millions of people floating around through the site, possibly looking at your information. It would be just as easy for a Professor to look you up on Myspace or Facebook without your permission, IF they really cared. Chances though, are that they don't care about your personal life, they don't care how wasted you did or didn't get Saturday night. I can almost guarantee that as long as your work is being down in class on time and properly, they could care less.
So if a teacher of mine wanted to do an assignment that invloved a site like Facebook or Myspace, I too see it as an innovative step towards better schooling. Not privacy draining at all.
Oh, yeah by the way Chris Rice...I like that, "good old-fashioned e-mail"
In response to the "The Creepy Treehouse" I do believe teachers requiring students to use myspace or facebook is taking it a little too far. Even though using myspace or facebook might be easier for students and professors to get in touch with one another I don't think these websites should even be an option. Email can be just as easy. Think about it. How do you know your professor isn't checking out your pictures, comments etc and vice versa. This allows you and your professor to get to know eachother on a personal level and I don't think that's appropriate. This also opens up a door for professors to take advantage of students. For example, a professor might have a motive to talk to a particular student or students about more than just grades or have a class discussion if you know what I mean. So in conclusion, I think if a professor wants to get in touch with a student or vice versa they should use email. If a professor wants to have class discussions he or she should use a blog such as this one! :)
1) My view on the creepy treehouse is that I believe it could be a good thing if a student could build a professional relationship with a teacher. However, there is a fine line that the student/teacher should not cross.
2)I believe the teacher crosses the line with new technology when they use these features to learn things about their students that does not relate to the classroom at all.
3)I believe that befriending a teacher would be a positive thing if they helped you with school related subjects, other than that it would just be weird.
1)my view on "creepy treehouse is i also agree that it can be wierd to a student if a teacher wants to become personal unless the teacher knows when not to cross the line
2)i think that a line should be drawn when the course requires you to use new technology as a major part in class
3)i think it is okay for teachers and students to interact in social networks unless a student is not willing to become personal with a teacher
rafael valim
1. I feel that being able to communicate with a teacher threw sites such as facebook can be awkward. Student/teacher relationships should be kept at school.
2. I think a teacher can cross the line when they get really personal by using this new technology. For example, if a teacher uses their email and writes a student just to ask them about their day or something.
3. I don't believe that teachers and students should become friends on those networks. The teacher has to look out for themselves and their jobs.
1)My view on the concept of the "creepy treehouse" is that if a professor wants assignments to be submitted online then they should create their own webpage instead of invading in students privacy using areas such as myspace and facebook.
2)A teacher/professor crosses the line with technology when they invade the student's privacy through other student webpages.
3)As far as befriending professors on myspace and facebook, I think that a teacher/student relationship should only go so far because that could lead to later problems.
My views on this issue is that it is ok for a teacher to be personal with a student but only to a certain point never crossing the line. Their is a limit to everything.
1. This 'creepy treehouse' is aptly named. I myself wouldn't be AS wierded out if a teacher added me on myspace or facebook, but that unease would still be there. Where one person sees a valuable application of an idiotic program, another sees invasion of privacy, and the overstepping of personal boundaries. There are other ways to interact with students online, such as classroom forums, or some program made specifically FOR student-teacher online interaction.
2. As a student, a teacher would have to come pretty far to step on my digital toes. I don't mind if my teachers looked at my myspace or the facebook that I haven't used in six months. There's nothing on there I wouldn't show my parents, so I have no problem showing my teachers. But bringing up Myspace and Facebook can raise some other questions about that teacher's ethics. There are two sides to every issue, and there will be people who are upset and creeped out by a teacher bringing myspace into the classroom as a tool, and then there will be those who actually don't mind it. We're all adults here, I think, so there's no reason we can't just discuss these things.
3. Befriending my professors on those sites like Myspace is something I don't have a problem with. As I mentioned before, there's nothing there I wouldn't show my parents. No drunken pictures, slander towards another, or nude pictures. The occasional bout of profanity, sure, but that's mostly the comments I recieve. But then that coin flips and being your teacher's friend on myspace could be misconstrued for inappropriate behavior. It's all in how you deal with things, I think, and how comfortable you are with yourself and others.
All of the new technology that allows us to stay in contact with our profesors is great. On the other hand, I feel that it can cross the line once the subjects are more personal than professional. As far as getting in touch through myspace, facebook, etc..., maybe it would be a good idea to have seperate pages for friends and professors because the thought of befriending a teacher and them having acces to all of your personal info is just CREEPY.
1. I totally agree that the creepy treehouse is literally creepy. There is a time when students are students and a time when students are just themselves, and to bring the teacher on the students personal time is very wrong in many ways.
2. I agree with J.R. that teachers cross the line if they use technology to figure out things about the student that has nothing to do with the class.
3. For one, i dont have a facebook, or myspace or anything like that, but trust me if i did you would not see my teacher as my friend on there (not meaning that teachers cant be a friend).
My views on creepy treehouse is it's just weird. Why would anyone want to really interact with their professor outside of class in a buddy buddy manner. I think it will cause confusion in and outside of the class because students will look at the professor like ok we're friends so give me a good grade. As far as myspace...i think it's ok. As long as your not constantly sending one another comments or messages. Just Weird!
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