Legal and ethical context in my digital practice

As Alan Hall (2001) points out, digital technologies have advanced rapidly over the last 30 years and they provide many wonderful opportunities for learning in and beyond our classrooms. It is my responsibility to teach my students to use these tools in a responsible and positive way as, on the flip side, there are many hidden risks involved with this new technology too.  

The Education Council of NZ highlights how online platforms enable us to "create, share, adapt and reuse content, engage in digital dialogue and collaboration". The teaching of these skills is paramount in my classroom as I attempt to develop 21st century skills in my learners.  

Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, What is Social Media

I endeavour to teach my learners to be responsible digital citizens. In our school we require our students to sign am internet safety agreement each year as we discuss with them their responsibility when engaging in online learning.  This needs to be revisited on an ongoing basis as the students develop their skills and inquisitiveness over time. They need to know that when they are online the usual classroom rules apply for their behaviour.

Likewise, social media has brought with it a whole new range of issues.  As a teacher I recognise that I am under increased scrutiny when I engage in these platforms because of my profession, which therefore requires me to think carefully about 'how' I am engaging with social media and 'who' I am engaging with. 

As a teacher practicing in New Zealand I am required to follow a Code of Ethics for Certified Teachers.  The Education Council talks about how we need to strive to the highest of standards in our professional roles as we are "in collaboration with colleagues, learners, parents/guardians and family/whānau, as well as members of the wider community."  They also point out four fundamental principles that we are governed by:

• 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.

It is therefore my role to be a professional role model when engaging in social media, especially with our school community. I find social media a source of inspiration and a place to share and learn.  I have a class blog, use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc but I don't particularly want my school community knowing my personal life.  I have had the issue of parents 'requesting to be friends' on my personal Facebook page. This can cause an ethical dilemma as over time you do become friendly with many of these parents as you teach multiple children in their family and they can take it personally if you do not accept a friend request.  If you accept some parents, where then do you draw the line if parents who you would rather not accept request a friendship online. 

A few years ago I did accept a couple of parents as friends who I had established a long time relationship with.  Now I find that I ignore new requests as our school has a spoken policy now of not engaging with parents within our personal online personas.  

Hall (2001, p.5)) has provided some guiding questions to help teachers' decision making when dealing with ethical issues that may arise:

• “Which stakeholder should be given priority? Why?
• What restrictions are there to your actions?
• Which courses of action are possible?
• How should the course of action be implemented? “ 

In using these questions to help guide my decision making, I have to consider the schools standing on this, my personal responsibility and the outcomes for the school community.  I now can say to parents that that it is a school policy to not befriend parents in a personal capacity which can take away that personal feeling for parents. 

REFERENCES

Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/code-of-ethics-certificated-teachers-0

Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, 2017. https://teachersandsocialmedia.co.nz/

Hall, A. (2001) What ought I to do, all things considered? An approach to the exploration of ethical problems by teachers. Paper presented at the IIPE Conference, Brisbane. Retrieved from 
http://www.etiquette.govt.confidentiality/Culture/Developing-leaders/What-Ought-I-to-Do-All-Things-Considered-An-Approach-to-the-Exploration-of-Ethical-Problems-by-Teachers