Requiring student profile pictures

[jherron]

If this is too far off topic, just let me know. A faculty member requests that her online students post profile pictures of themselves. One student has decided she doesn't want to post a picture because she said she has never posted a picture "on social media." How should I advise the faculty member? Should she let it go or is there some reasoning that may work on the student that you can think of?

Thanks!

[kona]

Personally as Director of Online Learning and an online instructor I like that students have their profile picture in Canvas. It adds a personal touch that helps when working in an online environment. I also like it for my hybrid class because I can see their picture and don't have to read their name when looking at discussion posts - silly yes, but I like it.

Yet, I understand that students may be self conscious (or have security concerns) and ultimately could post a picture of anyone and how would you know it wasn't them (in an online environment). Because of this I ask students to either upload a picture of themselves or a picture that represents them - favorite sports team, picture of their pet, etc. I do say that I prefer a picture of them, but allow for the student uploading something else if it makes them feel more comfortable - which overall is the main goal of my class - I want students to feel comfortable and like they can be a part of the course.

If you want to argue with the student about it, one good point is that Canvas is a closed system and the only people that can access it are people who are in a class with you. Not sure how strong of an argument it is, but that's about the best I've got.

[jherron]

Thanks, Kona. Great suggestions that I'll share with the faculty member.

[Stef_retired]

jherron​, we've used the same approach as  @kona ​ has suggested, namely, that students reluctant to put their images online can be prompted to upload a photo of something that doesn't identify them to the world at large but that somehow relates to them. Some of our students are LEOs, so even though we're comfortable that Canvas is a closed system, we don't get heavy-handed about insisting that they upload actual photos of themselves. I'd point out that this reluctance is not limited to students; when we were first migrating to Canvas, this objection came up from several faculty members, and in almost the exact words you've used: "[she] doesn't want to post a picture because she said she has never posted a picture 'on social media.'"

[hvaughn]

HI Joshua,

We do the same as Kona and Stephanie suggested.  For students that are uncomfortable posting their picture, instead they can post a picture of something that represents them (such as a flower from their garden, a pet, a mountain they've hiked, etc.). We do caution against posting images related to causes or religion.

[DaleDrees]

Agree with all the comments - We hear more about this with our Faculty than we do we our students. So as everyone has stated, we ask them to put a picture of something that represents them or is important to them. Most of them like this approach!

Dale