The committee created after English professor’s anti-republican rants to address the best practices on the use of social media and technology in classrooms, has begun its research — with few findings so far.
Committee Chairman William Donohue said he’s looked at about 12 universities and none of them have policies on how to use social media in a classroom.
Some incidents that might have prompted the assembly of the Ad Hoc Committee on Social Media, Pedagogy and Academic Rights and Responsibilities include an in-class rant by English professor William Penn, which made national news and was popular on social media. The rant sparked discussions among the Steering Committee, with the new committee created shortly after the rant occurred in August during the first week of the semester.
During the fall 2012 semester, a professor ranted and stripped off his clothing during class — that blew up across many social media options including Reddit.
The MSU Guidelines for Social Media, passed in spring 2013, outlines how faculty, staff and student employees should use social media outside of the classroom, but does not touch on conduct within the walls of the teaching realms.
Policies at other universities are similar to MSU’s, with nothing that directly addresses the rights of students and faculty in a classroom setting when it comes to recording ?video and other types of social media activities, said Donohue.
“We might be breaking new ground here,” he said. “We want to do it right. I suspect we’ll have another meeting or two next semester.”
The first committee meeting was held a little more than a week ago and two more ?meetings are scheduled for this semester.
Originally, the committee was going to report out at the beginning of spring semester, but that most likely will be pushed back.
“I think what they’re doing is a very thorough job and if that requires a little more time, certainly they are entitled to it,” said Sue Carter, Steering ?Committee chairwoman and journalism professor.
“What we all care about, and what they are dedicated to doing, is providing a good set of ?recommendations that are ?fully informed.”
She said the committee will not recommend a university policy, but will suggest best practices, because a policy would overstep the autonomy of university officials and faculty members.
In addition to researching other universities, the ?committee plans to conduct a survey of faculty, staff and ?students on classroom and pedagogical use of social media, Donohue said.
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