Comparing 21st Century learning Tools - The Policies and Guidelines

      In a previous post, I discussed how the Halton District School Board leaves policies regarding safe communication technology use and social media use, for individual schools to develop, in conference with teachers, administration, and school council.  I argue, that this is an ineffective model to follow to ensure safe use of 21st century tools, as this continues to promote inequities that exist between our schools, in terms of overall access and use.  Some schools will be trending more than others, and as such, are more liable for issues that may arise with safe, responsible, and legal use.  Conversely, schools that are just attempting to access social media sites for greater communication and information sharing, may unnecessarily hit some stumbling blocks as they navigate their way through this new communication paradigm.  I strongly encourage a board level policy to be implemented, to ensure the safe and effective use of 21st century learning tools, among all schools within the Halton District School Board.

       When looking at other schools in Halton, whether it be connecting with other educators or checking out online school websites, there is very little information regarding safe and appropriate use of the internet and social media tools provided.  Many teachers that I have spoken to are unaware of any guidelines or policies that exist within their own schools, when accessing the internet using safe and effective means.  This is very problematic, as not only are some teachers not effectively using 21st century tools, but many would not know how to do it safely, even if they tried.  The Halton board has clearly stated in its policies, that it is up to the school to develop safe and responsible policies for use among teachers and students alike, when accessing information and connecting with others online.  If this is not being done at the school level, then how can we be sure that we, as well as our students, are promoting safe, legal, and ethical practices when communicating online.

      When reviewing such policies within our neighbor board, the Dufferin-Peel School Board, I was able to access a clear board policy as to the distinction between personal and professional use of internet communications and social media.  The policy makes some clear distinctions regarding these lines:

      "Personal v. professional: Every time you communicate, whether it’s in-person or on social media, you shape public opinion about you, your profession, your school, your board and public education. Statements like, “Tweets are my own and don’t reflect my employer’s views,” don’t hold true for educators. Although staff lead private lives, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that teachers’ off-duty conduct, even when not directly related to students, is relevant to their suitability to teach.  As such, staff should use sound judgment and due care when using social media while on and off duty."  

http://www.peelschools.org/staff/SMguidelines/Documents/FINAL%20Social%20Media%20Guidelines%20for%20staff.pdf

      This policy includes clear guidelines for teachers to follow, when utilizing internet communication and social media tools.  Peel provides clear points as to how to use these tools effectively and safely, not just for students, but mainly for teachers to follow, to ensure they properly accessing these resources, and modelling them for their students.

      When reviewing internet communications and social media use for the state of New York, I discovered that they have adopted state wide policies for social media use among teachers and students.  They too give clear points for teachers to follow, as to how to safely access social media resources.  Some points include:

-Rememeber that using social media academically is an extension of your classroom environment.

-Put your best foot forward.
-Pause before you post.
-Personal use of social media may have an effect at school.
-Protect yourself.
-Adjust your privacy settings appropriately.

-There is no right to privacy when using school-related social media

http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/9765B2DF-9BD5-42AA-8D85-005D0FC8AA23/0/Student_Social_MediaGuidelines_finalv3_20140128.pdf

       If find that last point to be very noteworthy.  "There is no right to privacy when using school-related social media."  The state of New York is basically saying, that anything you post for a school social media account, can be seen, read, and interpreted by anyone.  These are some important points to think about when accessing social media.

      For consistency purposes, I believe that polices need to be implemented at the board level, to ensure safe use of information and communication technologies, mainly, the use of social media.  This ensures a consistency for all schools in the board, and allows for new users with clear guidelines to follow when navigating social networks.  While this may cause some barriers when implement need changes, but at least, teachers will not be held solely liable if issues due arise, as long as they are following board policy.