Standards of Practice and Ethical Standards within Teaching

Discuss both the Ethical Standards and Standard of Practice and share a post/reflection about how 21st Century teaching and learning practices relate.

The Ethical Standards of teaching seem to scue the line between professional and private lives.  As more and more people utilize the benefits of communicating through the medium of social media, one has to be aware of what they post, and how it may affect them in terms of their professional well being.

The news is continually reporting stories of celebrities and government officials, who get into hot water because of their latest twitter feed, or something posted within a form of social media.  Likewise, when these individuals are out in the public eye, any behaviour that would seem out of the ordinary for most, can easily be recorded using a smart device, and immediately posted to some form of social media.

As educators, it’s important to be mindful of our actions, both in public and within the context of posting items to social media outlets, that what we’re posting can have an impact on us in terms of our professional careers.  The ethical standards of practice within the Ontario College of Teachers clearly issues an advisory to teachers that off duty conduct matters, and that we need to act professionally at all times.

The Standards of Practice Outlined within the Ontario College of teachers provides a framework of principles for teachers to follow.  The main goal is for its members to promote and participate in the creation of a collaborative, safe, and supportive learning community.  It emphasizes the use of common language among members, and for members to use their professional judgement at all times.  

As educators, we have a responsibility to be up to date with our professional knowledge.  The Standards of practice clear states that its  “members strive to be current in their professional knowledge and recognize its relationship to practice”, and for its “members to apply professional knowledge and experience to promote student learning”.  For teachers to be meeting these standards, it’s crucial for us as teachers to embrace 21st century teaching and learning practices.  That means, embracing technology and social media.

Although there are no specific and clear guidelines when teachers use social media, the OCT does issue an advisory.  The advisory urges teachers to take advantage of it in the classroom, for curriculum delivery and communication with parents (imagine a twitter feed for homework due throughout the week).  My role within this new age of communication would be to offer advice for email, blogging, and social media to my students, and make sure I follow my own advice likewise.  This means, new responsibilities for teachers surrounding privacy issues, professional vulnerability, and possible legalities.  For me, this means always being aware of what I post, using my professional judgement when posting, and making sure my privacy settings are always updated!

Social Media sites, and students

Dealing with twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (or other social media sites) is a reality in the classroom. What are strategies that you could employ to help teach safe and appropriate use of these sites?

     I believe the most important thing to teach a student about social media is that anything that gets put up on the internet, is there forever.  Students need to be mindful of this fact before they post material, keeping in mind that anyone has the ability to see their posts. 

      I had an issue with a student a few weeks ago, where she posted a picture of her and her friends on instagram, and then received some negative comments about the picture.  She didn't know who posted the comments, but was upset regardless.  When she consulted with me about the issue, I told her that if she wants to post a picture or post information on social media, she has to ask herself, "Am I okay with others seeing this?" and "Am I prepared to receive negative feedback on this."  If she still wants to make the post or show the picture keeping these two questions in mind, then she should do so regardless of what others may say.

      When exploring social media websites, students need to be made aware of the privacy settings available, and use them so only people who are on their friends list can see their posts.  Students also need to think about who they add to their friends list, and if they are okay with these individuals seeing their content.  It's important that students are aware of who they give access to, to see their profiles, content, pictures and information.

     I would also advice students to use different forms of social media for different purposes.  They could use blogs to share personal thoughts, ideas, and feelings, and only give people access to their blog, who they trust (again, privacy settings should be updated before posting).  They could use their twitter accounts to discuss general topics or areas of interest, that way they don't need to be as mindful of who follows them.  They can use instagram to show general pictures, but use facebook with updated privacy settings to show more personal pictures. 

      Using social media safely and responsibly is an issue that needs to be addressed in the classroom.  That way, when students go home at the end of the day and access their social media accounts, they can post confidently, knowing that they can post general content and be comfortable for many to see this, as opposed to posting more personal content only for those whom they trust to see. 

How is the role of the teacher and learner changing in the 21st Century?

       Over the last 60 years, our society and consequently, our education system has undergone a major paradigm shift.  Sixty years ago, society was in the midst of the industrial age where production, efficiency, and growth in manufacturing provided the backbone for our economic system.  As such, our education system was modelled in very much the same light.  Filling a classroom with several students, and teaching them what they need to know, in the most efficient means possible, was meant to help them become independent, hard working, and self sufficient citizens.
    
      Since the turn into the 21st century, society has evolved from the industrial age into the age of communication.  Knowledge and learning is literally at the touch of a person's finger tips, and anything a person needs to know can simply be discovered in seconds through the use of technology and computers.  Easier access to information has allowed our society to share ideas and innovation more easily, and as such, has opened up the way we see the world to new ideals and ways of thinking and doing things.

      It is important that our education system and the classroom addresses this shift within society.  The classroom is no longer viewed in terms of its productivity and its capacity to turn out the educated learner, but rather the shift has occurred to view the student as a differentiated learner, capable of many things if given the forum to display his or her learning and creativity.  Technology has given the learner the ability to do this, not just by accessing information quickly, but also by allowing the learner to display his or her ideas, thoughts, abilities, and learning in a multitude of new and innovative ways.

      The teacher has consequently become less of an instructor and more of a facilitator within the classroom.  The role of the teacher is meant to guide the learner, to use technology and access information safely, while allowing the student to display new learning, with a focus on what the student knows rather than what the student does not know.  This has allowed the learner to discover new learning more freely, independently, and through a means that works for them, rather than the student being told what he or she needs to know, and all students being taught in the same way.

      It is important as educators that we embrace this paradigm shift, so we are able to give our students and learners a more richer and fulfilling educational experience.

Post Number 1!

Hello, my name is Tim Stevens.  I will be using this blog to share my thoughts, my learning, and my passions as it comes to life, living, and education.  I look forward to sharing my experiences both professionally and personally as the weeks of 2014 begin to unfold.  Here's to self commitment and self fulfilment!