OUR TURN: Drawing the boundaries on teacher-student messaging

Advances are made in technology every day, and for that reason, it’s important for teachers to stay on the cutting edge as much as possible to help their students.

Educators have to ensure students are using the most current tools so they are prepared for the competitive world of tomorrow.

The virtual world has torn down the walls of time and distance that dominated schoolrooms for centuries.

Now teachers and students can exchange questions and answers using cell phones, the Internet, e-mail, text messages, instant messaging, blogging, Facebook and even Twitter.

This is especially handy after hours when a student has a question about a nagging homework problem or some other assignment.

But how much interaction is too much when the lightning pace of technology outstrips accepted social customs? How should teachers embrace technology without crossing any lines?

What separates the appropriate from the inappropriate?

Just as in the days of old, when teachers and students observed a social decorum based on manners, proper attire and using titles of respect, new rules need to be in place that take into account the 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-of-the-week nature of social networking.

And, that seems to be what the State Board of Education was thinking late last year, when it approved new rules governing teacher-student messaging.

Parents should be aware the guidelines became effective Dec. 26. They update the Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics and basically state that teachers shouldn’t share any inappropriate messages with pupils through cyber communications.

Violations carry penalties that can vary from reprimands to revocations of teaching certificates.

While these rules seem to be common sense, it’s better to have them on the books so teachers, students and parents all know the boundaries, virtual or otherwise.

Mom’s advice good for e-mail, too

Moms often advise their children not to say something about someone to others that you wouldn’t say to their face.

That maternal wisdom should probably also apply to e-mails — at least if you’re a public official commenting on public business.

Obviously, members of the Austin City Council weren’t listening to their moms, as shown by the many revealing e-mails they sent to each other during public meetings. Those electronic missives include unflattering comments made by council members about city employees, department heads and speakers.

The e-mails were released under the Texas Public Information Act. The Austin council is being investigated in connection with allegations they did not follow the Open Meetings Act by discussing city business out of the public view.

Of course, Austin is a big city and these are big-city politicians. Out here in the Highland Lakes, the pace of life is a little slower and more genteel.

While our politicians and bureaucrats also use e-mail for official business, one can only hope the traits of country life — good manners, politeness and being neighborly — hold true, even when it comes to government.

That’s how mom would want it. And, probably a few city managers and department heads, too.