My own practice in using social media is one that I approach with heightened caution. Some of the dilemmas I encounter regularly when using facebook include parents wanting to ‘friend' me, messages to my personal inbox, never quite knowing who is connected to who in a ‘friends’ sense and the security settings of others accounts. So a long time ago I decided that I would never post or share information that I would not want in a public forum. I believe this decision I made was very sound and is in line with the principles outlined in our teacher's code of ethics.
- “Autonomy to treat people with rights that are to be honoured and defended
- Justice to share power and prevent the abuse of power
- Responsible care to do good and minimise harm to others
- Truth to be honest with others and self.” (education council n.d)
There have been times since joining facebook that I have noticed colleagues have chosen to friend students who are too young to hold accounts and/or have not long left our school. I have at times had conversations with staff members to point out the potential risks involved in this practice and to check that they are keeping themselves safe online. One of the comments made to me was that they didn’t realise the potential risks and how using this form of social media could put them at risk. I have also explained to them that I choose not be friends with people who choose have students as friends as I wish to minimise the access students have to my personal digital footprint. Which I know is a big ask and very hard to achieve, I am trying to be responsible with the knowledge I have and my current understanding of how the facebook platform works.
I address other ethical dilemmas as they arise and I choose to do this by contacting the person directly to discuss the issues either in person or by phone. If the issue is one that can quickly escalate or I believe could spiral out of control and impact on me as a teacher or my school, I inform my principal and seek guidance on how to address the issue. I am a firm believer that social media platforms are not the place to address issues with others and that I would be doing harm if I chose this method to communicate my problems or to comment on others.
I find that is often a fine line for me as a teacher when putting myself ‘out there’ as I consider how this will be seen by others and what potential harm I could cause for others. In an ideal world, others would do the same and the world would be a happier place with more consideration for others, tolerance, and harmony.
Note to self: In writing this post it has brought to my attention the fact that we have not formally revisited the use of social media with our staff this year and with the changes in staff at our Kura this year it would be timely to do so.
References:
The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers. retrieved from: https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/code-of-ethics-certificated-teachers-0
Hi Rochelle, I echo your thoughts around your digital footprint in social media. I actually use a pseudonym and never connect my personal and family world with the work world on Twitter and Facebook. Having said that, I am using my own name in Google+ communities and I am enjoying several professional groups that I have joined up with. Keeping the two worlds separate professional and private is challenging.
ReplyDeleteHi Rochelle, I echo your thoughts around your digital footprint in social media. I actually use a pseudonym and never connect my personal and family world with the work world on Twitter and Facebook. Having said that, I am using my own name in Google+ communities and I am enjoying several professional groups that I have joined up with. Keeping the two worlds separate professional and private is challenging.
ReplyDeleteHi Rochelle - I am a teacher of year 1 and 2's and have very similar issues to yours. I too get caught by parents wanting to facebook and be friends with me on line. The friends that I do have, who happen to have children in my class, then overstep the mark (I believe) and use facebook messenger to text me about school stuff in the weekends, which I then ignore, because I really don't want to be having these discussions in my own time. I think that then you are not really shutting down from the job - and burnout happens real quick! Although I have 'friends' who have in the past been previous students of mine and requested me - I like to make it that they are at least at university and I know their parents. I have never asked for ex students to be friends on facebook. I agree with you, social media platforms are not the place to address issues with others - the power of the written word is a very scary thing.
ReplyDeleteHi Rochelle - I am a teacher of year 1 and 2's and have very similar issues to yours. I too get caught by parents wanting to facebook and be friends with me on line. The friends that I do have, who happen to have children in my class, then overstep the mark (I believe) and use facebook messenger to text me about school stuff in the weekends, which I then ignore, because I really don't want to be having these discussions in my own time. I think that then you are not really shutting down from the job - and burnout happens real quick! Although I have 'friends' who have in the past been previous students of mine and requested me - I like to make it that they are at least at university and I know their parents. I have never asked for ex students to be friends on facebook. I agree with you, social media platforms are not the place to address issues with others - the power of the written word is a very scary thing.
ReplyDelete