Inappropriate contributions to (online) discussion groups

[arcturus]

For the most part, my online students respond appropriately and respectfully in the online discussions. However, I just had a student post inappropriate content (not related to discussion topic and including inappropriate language). My choices are to (1) leave it; (2) edit to remove inappropriate language; (3) remove (delete) post. Out of consideration for the students who may read this post, I do not want to do (1). However, if I choose to follow-up with the office of student affairs (i.e., someone should check on the well-being of this student as this appears to be a call for help), I want the evidence of the original post. There does not appear to be an option to "hide" in my LMS. What do you do in these situations? Leave it/edit/remove?

[downer]

Can't you do a screenshot?

[arcturus]

Can't you do a screenshot?

Yes, I decided to "print" the contribution as submitted to a pdf file and then edit the profanity out of the post. So I do now have a record (and have just finished filing the notification to student affairs regarding my concerns about this student). I am still debating whether I should remove the post in its entirety though, as it has nothing that contributes to the discussion and may still be disturbing to other students even with the profanity removed.

[downer]

I'd delete it, and email the student saying it was inappropriate.

[arcturus]

Thank you!

[spork]

Probably the student has violated the student code of conduct. Send a screenshot to the appropriate authorities. Delete the comment. Inform the student in writing that the comment was inappropriate and why.

[Puget]

You think profanity is fun to deal with, I once had a student disclose suicidal thoughts in a class forum post (we were covering somewhat related topics that week). It ended well-- I deleted it and reached out to the student, who had forgotten other students could see the posts and was glad I'd removed it. I was able to refer him to the counseling center and we were all glad the class occasioned him reaching out for help, but boy, not the best place to do it! Now when we get to that unit I talk about how to appropriately get help.

[kaysixteen]

It would probably help us to adequately respond to this if we knew more or less what you mean by 'inappropriate language'.

[fishbrains]

I'd delete it, and email the student saying it was inappropriate.

+1. The board in the CMS isn't a place for off-topic posts. But I would print a copy before deleting it, just for CYA purposes.

[Caracal]

It would probably help us to adequately respond to this if we knew more or less what you mean by 'inappropriate language'.

Yeah. If the student wrote something like "f this class and this semester, I'm going to go take a damn nap," I'd say delete it and just write to him and tell him if he's having a tough time with the class you'd be happy to talk to him about it, but posts on the board need to be on topic and appropriate.

If he wrote something offensive about some  group of people, that's different than just random profanity, that's different and you would want to take it to the Dean of Students. Ditto if he was posting something about porn or sex or something like that.

If it was about something in his personal life, that would be more in the category of cry for help and in that case I would say it would be a good idea to contact the student directly expressing concern and also send it to the Dean of Students.

[kaysixteen]

All that is true, though one probably wants to contact the Dean only in egregious cases.   But it is also true that 'inappropriate language' may be comments that simply offend the prof, and/or other student(s).   That would just be too bad.

[financeguy]

I'm a bit surprised to here "delete" as an option. One of the places I've done online classes specifically does not allow faculty to do this since they say it could potentially violate academic freedom. We're told to leave as is and write our chair who will handle from there if something is bad enough to be delete worthy offense.

[apl68]

I'm a bit surprised to here "delete" as an option. One of the places I've done online classes specifically does not allow faculty to do this since they say it could potentially violate academic freedom. We're told to leave as is and write our chair who will handle from there if something is bad enough to be delete worthy offense.

That could lead to problems if the chair doesn't stay on top of things.  I can just see egregious posts staying up for days while the case is stuck in limbo because the chair is overwhelmed by other tasks, absent, etc.

[downer]

The places I work trust faculty to have good judgment about what is appropriate or inappropriate and give them total control over discussion boards. Which is as it should be.

[Caracal]

I'm a bit surprised to here "delete" as an option. One of the places I've done online classes specifically does not allow faculty to do this since they say it could potentially violate academic freedom. We're told to leave as is and write our chair who will handle from there if something is bad enough to be delete worthy offense.

That seems like an odd interpretation of academic freedom.  I think students have the right to express ideas in class settings, as long as they remain on topic and they don't use slurs. However, as the instructor, I get to direct discussion. I've had a few times where a student has said something in a class discussion which is offensive and immflamatory . I usually let another student or two respond, say something myself if its  a case where the student is saying something that isn't true, and then move us back to the topic before things get derailed. I don't think I need to protect students from views of other students they might find offensive, but I'm teaching a class, not hosting a reddit subforum. A bulletin board post makes this a little more complicated, since there's no clear way to move the discussion forward. If you have some off topic post that others are going to respond to, it might make it impossible to have you a useful and helpful discussion. Its my class, and I get to remove things that are going to be distracting and get in the way of the goals of the class in the same way that I get to cut off discussions that are going to end up in unproductive and off topic arguments.