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!