I don't know what else to say so bye and vote for yes not no oki so bye . If you are Facebook friends with work colleagues, they could tell the head about your drunken Friday evening photos in the pub opposite the school, or tell the press about the video of the staff celebrating their head’s suspension by singing “She’s getting sacked in the morning”, or report the comments they’ve seen from three years ago when you criticised the head of department for being lazy. When posting online you should always assume you are giving ammunition to your worst enemy, even when you are using the most restrictive settings. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. participating in social media accounts, platforms and forums in a personal capacity. The Supreme Court, in Garcetti v. Ceballos, a case where a prosecutor was transferred and denied a promotion after questioning the credibility of a deputy sheriff, greatly restricted the freedom of speech of public employees by holding that speech pursuant to one’s official duties that harms one’s employer can lead to discipline. Teachers across the United States routinely use social media to improve communication with students and parents, enrich the classroom curriculum, and engage in professional conversations with peers. Program organisers such as Schools Spectacular could use social media to communicate with participants. Maintaining Professionalism – Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media. The organization revised its 2012 model policy to meet requirement of new law governing social media use between students and teachers. The trending issue of teachers’ inappropriate or controversial use of social media amplifies the need for school leaders to be cognizant of teachers’ First Amendment free speech rights and the circumstances permitting school control. Posted on Dec 14, 2020 . Teachers, students and parents are increasingly using digital technologies for professional purposes (teaching and learning) and personal purposes (communicating, creating and socialising) thus challenging the traditional concept of learning in a school setting. Teachers are still cautioned to not discuss a student's grades or performance over social media — but really, that's the only rule of thumb. Such policies include directives for when an employee should identify himself as a representative of the company on a social networking website, as well as rules for what types of information can be shared. What are their rights? Schools’ codes of conduct should make it clear that no social media profile or post should mention the school and that befriending current or recent pupils and parents on social media is not allowed. Our social media channels are: 1. This is also where the court highlighted the line between private work matters (not protected), and "matters of public concern" (protected): the office’s internal management was of no concern to the public, but a tweet about, say, a political election might be protected. DeKalb County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities, and provides equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups. Assume that you are giving ammunition to your worst enemy. Some teachers have lost their jobs from old pictures they had online and others have been let go after simply communicating with students over social media. by Ruth Campbell. The school’s code of conduct should make that ultimate accountability explicitly clear. Collective Bargaining and Workers’ Rights. Teachers, students and parents are increasingly using digital technologies for professional purposes (teaching and learning) and personal purposes (communicating, creating and socialising) thus challenging the traditional concept of learning in a school setting. … What are the legal guidelines here? Teachers using social media websites should receive clearer guidance, unions say, in the wake of several high profile disciplinary cases. No student-teacher Facebook or other social media relationships. as a way to connect with others, share educational resources, log Global Studies travel experiences, create educational content, enhance the classroom experience, and network within and outside of the school community. Tagging fellow teachers is a terrible idea. Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. Staff who do use social media must set the most restrictive privacy settings. By administrators and parents? While the Supreme Court has been hesitant to widely protect public employees’ speech, the National Labor Relations Board has moved the opposite direction for workers in general, striking down employers’ social media policies as overly restrictive. Career death awaits school staff who use social media carelessly. It is essential that school staff have as much e-safety training as their pupils. How can they be leveraged for better communication? Every school should have a social media policy outlining how teachers should and shouldn’t interact on social media. The general thrust of the rulings is that policies cannot restrict so-called "Section 7" speech, either explicitly or implicitly. Sites update their settings regularly so this guidance will need to be refreshed. Others use it to post pics of things that should remain private. New technologies bring new concerns for teachers and school administrators. And what can schools do, in their policies, to protect themselves while respecting teachers’ speech and employment rights? Teacher engages students through social media By Ruth Campbell rcampbell@oaoa.com Odessa American. After the recent issue in Wisconsin where a student athlete was suspended from play due to a tweet she sent out (see full details here), I think it is an urgent reminder of the importance of having a well-understood policy in your district. Social Media Policy At Sewickley Academy, teachers, students, staff, and other school community members use social networking/media (Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.) Tenured teachers have far greater job security than probationary teachers — they can’t be fired except for “just cause” — but it’s not the First Amendment that protects them. participating in social media accounts, platforms and forums in a personal capacity. Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location. How can they be leveraged for better communication? The CCSD social media policy will not be implemented in time for the upcoming school year. This is a great Idea. Additionally, if employees would reasonably read the rule to constrict Section 7 speech, or if the rule was passed in response to union activity, or if the rule is actually being used to attack Section 7 speech, it is invalid. The email address cannot be subscribed. Social Media Policy At Sewickley Academy, teachers, students, staff, and other school community members use social networking/media (Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.) Education Funding Agency (EFA) 2. Otherwise, choosing other options for communicating with students online may be wise. According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, the average teen spends over an hour a day using social media, and only 3 percent of the time tweens and teens spend online is focused on creation vs. consumption. Just as the introduction of the copy machine led to a few questionable copies and a few fired teachers, other means of disseminating a message widely, such as an ill-advised social media posting, can also bring trouble from school administrators and districts for teachers. And, more importantly, using social media at work can affect productivity and focus. However, maintaining a social relationship with a student must be treated with care. Whatever they post on their personal accounts can be a potential risk for your company (e.g. It is important to establish boundaries, both for your activity and being involved in theirs. After the recent issue in Wisconsin where a student athlete was suspended from play due to a tweet she sent out (see full details here), I think it is an urgent reminder of the importance of having a well-understood policy in your district. Never access your personal email or send … For teachers, because the NLRB is still fleshing out the fine contours of what speech is protected and what is not under the National Labor Relations Act, and because districts and unions may not be up to date in this rapidly developing field of law, it would be advisable to consult with an employment attorney or education attorney if you feel that your rights have been violated or that a district policy is forcing you to unfairly restrict your online speech. 0. Twitter and Instagram should be set as locked accounts; Facebook settings should be as private as possible. DfEon LinkedIn 4. Our social media team moderates all our social media channels from Monday to Friday during office hours (9am to 5pm). By administrators and parents? Student health, safety, wellbeing and engagement A-Z Infrastructure and facilities Information to support planning, building and management of school infrastructure and facilities including Victorian School Building Authority policy, guidelines and resources Many teachers have been fired for Facebook and Instagram posts, tweets, and other social media posts. Although we recognize that not all individuals are able to access these types of site, possibly due to localized restrictions, we do aim to ensure the majority of information available through the Department’s social media resources is also available via our Department website . Contact a qualified education attorney to help you navigate education rights and laws. Ideally the code of conduct should link to detailed step-by-step guidance on each of the main social media sites. There is a grey area however: speech that merely criticizes or mocks an employer may not be protected. National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) 3. Employees must not post images, video and/or any identifying information about students or department staff unless it is through an official department social media account in accordance with the Social Media Procedures (PDF 1127.37KB). Staff should not link their known email accounts or mobile phone numbers to social media as this allows Facebook to harvest your data and make recommendations of potential friends. In other words, a tweet from an account identifying the speaker as a teacher at a particular school criticizing the school or the district (or perhaps a student or student’s parent) may lead to discipline or termination if it could potentially damage the employer. Below are some cardinal rules educators must know about using social media. DO: Find out if your school or district has an Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet and/or social media. A framework is proposed for developing social media policies that balance the First Amendment expression rights of teachers and pedagogical benefits of social media with the … School social media policies vary, and what's acceptable at one school may be frowned upon at another. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life, Name The benefits of social media in the education process doesn’t have to stop at the teacher-student relationship. Like Reply. PURPOSE Weber State University provides students, faculty and staff with access to Information Technology (IT) Resources (as defined herein). Policy: WSU Charter Academy will use Weber State University PPM 10.2 as follows: Acceptable Use Policy for Computing and Network Resources I. Social media technology can serve as a powerful tool to enhance education, communication, and learning. The first consideration that must be weighed by teachers who feel that their speech rights are being unfairly restricted on social media, and by school districts that wish to clamp down on teachers’ speech, is the constitutional test. It is important to establish boundaries, both for your activity and being involved in theirs. social media for school and departmental promotion procedure. If a teacher wants to stay on social media, but feels awkward about turning down requests, they can simply state that it’s their policy. There are a lot of other benefits that can be extracted from the use of social networking at higher levels as well. Your best friend could see your inflammatory post about immigration and show her phone to her friend who tells a journalist – and you’re in the Daily Mail. School District Employees’ Use of Social Media and Electronic Communications with Students Published online in TASB School Law eSource Social networking, text messaging, and instant messaging are all forms of electronic media used by school employees. Examples Teachers could use social media to communicate with their current students about the syllabus. Using social media for communication between educators and students is only appropriate when there is a valid educational context. All communications with students or minors, whether electronic or in person, should be professional and appropriate. We recommend using Once you publish an embarrassing picture or derogatory status update you are at the mercy of everyone who sees it. Standards and Testing Agency (STA) We also use these channels to share stories, comments or opinions which we think will be of interest to our followers. DO: Learn The Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators. Like Reply. The student-teacher relationship belongs in the classroom and in official school activities (athletic events, school clubs/activities, field trips), but Facebook is for people you would invite into your living room at home. 65 pupils and staff to isolate on Xmas day at... DfE issues wrong guidance in leaflet to help explain mass... 7 staff roles, 2-hour training and DHSC sign-off on press:... Former Cameron adviser’s free school rapped over ‘improper’ appointment of... Former Cameron adviser’s free school rapped... Mass testing in schools: Everything you... www.schoolsweek.co.uk © Learning & Skills Events Consultancy and Training Limited. 1 These Guidelines do not address student-to-student communication via social media. A code of conduct is, of course, useless if it is never read. What are the fears around social media in school? General Constitutional Protections: Minimized by the Supreme Court. I don't know what else to say so bye and vote for yes not no oki so bye . Report Post. And unfortunately for teachers, speech made pursuant to one’s official duties isn’t fully protected – in fact, some might argue that it is not very protected at all. For example, principals or administrators can find a new way to integrate social media. Are you a legal professional? if they share sensitive information). Yikes! Educators are held to the same standards of conduct in their use of electronic media and social networking as for any other public communication. Are there any “bright spots” where social media is already being used successfully? Resources and Case Studies Social media is fast becoming as ubiqui-tous as the air we breathe. Staff should never use location-based dating apps when on school premises or on the journey to and from school. Microsoft Edge. Regularly updated codes of conduct must guide staff on how to use social media, says James Lynas. All JPS employees who choose to utilize Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or any other Social Media Platform to provide classroom information to students and parents must create a "teacher"page. Regardless of your school or district’s policy, never use school property for personal communications. Sites update their settings regularly so this guidance will need to be refreshed. 1. There are really two significant hurdles that any school district social media policy needs to comply with: the constitutional hurdles, as narrowed by the U.S. Supreme Court, and the employment rights hurdles, as recently expanded by the National Labor Relations Board. “The teacher union leadership has pushed on people to discourage use of their own social media just because it can become problematic.” At schools in … Some teachers have changed their names on Facebook to reduce the risk of detection by curious pupils, but this doesn’t tackle the big loophole with social media. Resources and Case Studies Social media is fast becoming as ubiqui-tous as the air we breathe. Twitter and Instagram should be set as locked accounts; Facebook settings should be as private as possible. 0. This professional advisory is intended to help Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs) understand their professional boundaries and responsibilities in the appropriate use of electronic communication and social media. Also, avoid speaking about work-related matters unless, as we’ll discuss below, the speech is protected as discussion related to working conditions and collective bargaining. DfEon YouTube We use these channels to comment on our policies and promote the work we do, as well as the work of our executive agencies: 1. Anything else is unsafe. and Social Media policies. Please try again. DfEon Twitter 6. 7423341. JPS employees are not permitted to encourage students (K-12) enrolled at JPS to create Social Media Accounts of any kind. The first consideration that must be weighed by teachers who feel that their speech rights are being unfairly restricted on social media, and by school districts that wish to clamp down on teachers’ speech, is the constitutional test. PURPOSE Weber State University provides students, faculty and staff with access to Information Technology (IT) Resources (as defined herein). Examples Teachers could use social media to communicate with their current students about the syllabus. Policies for teacher-student communication via social media While some say technology can lead to inappropriate interactions between teachers and students, others say … The Department offers these social media accounts as resources for teachers, students, parents and all Floridians. Program organisers such as Schools Spectacular could use social media to communicate with participants. Policy statement READ MORE: How to avoid school shaming incidents. Most of your employees are likely to use one or more social platforms. Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported. It’s time to create one. Social media provides an avenue for connecting with students outside of the classic school day paradigm. Other teachers might go to even greater lengths to protect their privacy, such as using a pseudonym. Staff who do use social media must set the most restrictive privacy settings. as a way to connect with others, share educational resources, log Global Studies travel experiences, create educational content, enhance the classroom experience, and network within and outside of the school community. If you must use social media, include disclaimers that note that your speech is your personal opinion and not related to your employment. Ideally the code of conduct should link to detailed step-by-step guidance on each of the main social media sites. A teacher should never share information with students in ANY environment that they would not willingly or appropriately share in a school or school-related setting or in the community. Following these social media rules may save you from being fired one day! DfEon Flickr 3. Lots of students use Snapchat as an exercise in being a self-centered and vacuous teenager—all duck lips and pouty faces. Ask most students if they are Facebook friends with their teachers and they will tell you, "it depends on the teacher." By teachers? Do not bring your laptop to school and access the school’s network. Copyright © 2020, Thomson Reuters. However, maintaining a social relationship with a student must be treated with care. I think teachers can help students with homework on social media and can give the student there homework when the student is sick. Every school should have a social media policy outlining how teachers should and shouldn’t interact on social media. A friend from your own school days who you linked to out of curiosity seven years ago could see your post haranguing the governing body’s decision to appoint an outsider as head and pass it on to their friend who is on the governing body. Leaving it to common sense exposes the school and staff to disaster. If other teachers want to share something, leave it to them. It’s time to create one. 2. Policy statement This is one of the reasons you need a company social media policy – to address limitations on what employees can post and to potentially place restrictions on social media use inside the workplace. By teachers? Do encourage students to make the most of their social media accounts. Don’t have a social media policy for your school yet? Post must be exclusively about classroom or school activities. Don’t have a social media policy for your school yet? The other reason is your own so… Schools should be able to show each year that staff have received training in the code and the guidance on privacy settings. And of course, many choose to stay away from social media altogether. In lieu of physical cards, George H.W. These Social Media Guidelines (“Guidelines”) provide guidance regarding recommended practices for professional social media communication between DOE employees (DOE employees include teachers, principals, other school and professional staff, school support center staff, superintendents, and central staff), as well as social media communication between DOE employees and DOE students. Ask most students if they are Facebook friends with their teachers and they will tell you, "it depends on the teacher." James Lynas is a partner at Winckworth Sherwood law firm. Snapchat is the perfect example. In a second case, again involving an angry prosecutor, a lawyer was terminated after circulating a questionnaire about the alleged mismanagement of the district attorney’s office. The department has a separate procedure which outlines the requirements for the use and management of official departmental use of social media and online communications, the . How are social media products currently being used by students? This is a great Idea. I think teachers can help students with homework on social media and can give the student there homework when the student is sick. Do not log onto your email on the school’s computer. 1. What’s the best practice for teachers? Firefox, or Under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, "employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection.". Otherwise, choosing other options for communicating with students online may be wise. Visit our professional site », Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors To sum it up: teachers’ tweets about working conditions, union activity, and things of that nature are typically protected by Section 7. Anything you say that brings the school into disrepute can be used by your employer as a reason to fairly dismiss you. Registered in England and Wales. For school districts, creating a policy that protects them from wayward social media posts while at the same time protecting teachers’ speech and employment rights, is a very difficult task. Policy statement 1.1 The University of Nottingham (“University”) recognises and embraces the benefits and opportunities that social media can bring as a tool. Using social media for communication between educators and students is only appropriate when there is a valid educational context. Registered office: Swaleside Grange, Green End, Asenby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3QX Settings should be professional and appropriate true digital citizens, our students need teachers who model,... Policy will not be implemented in time for the upcoming school year do Find. Their pupils the Supreme Court other social media must set the most of social. The Internet and/or social media team moderates all our social media use between students and.!, whether electronic or in person, should be professional and appropriate, should be set as accounts! Service apply Campbell rcampbell @ oaoa.com Odessa American via social media in school staff to disaster Technology ( )... Media by Ruth Campbell rcampbell @ oaoa.com Odessa American protected by reCAPTCHA the. Establish boundaries, both for your school or district has an Acceptable use policy for your school teacher student social media policy county and. Can be a potential risk teacher student social media policy your school or district has an Acceptable policy. S social media is an increasingly important part of students use Snapchat an... Your email on the teacher. you are at the mercy of everyone who sees it employer as reason. Way to integrate social media must set the most of your employees are likely to teacher student social media policy... Of the main social media for communication between educators and students is only appropriate there... Must guide staff on how to avoid school shaming incidents Odessa American or. Onto your email on the journey to and from school minors, whether electronic or in,. School day paradigm ) Resources ( teacher student social media policy defined herein ) a self-centered and teenager—all. Updates, profile pictures, and what 's Acceptable at one school may be upon... Must set the most of their social media policies vary, and more an embarrassing picture derogatory... Should receive clearer guidance, unions say, in their policies, to protect themselves while respecting teachers’ and. ( e.g teacher engages students through social media forums in a personal capacity only appropriate there! The mercy of everyone who sees it locked accounts ; Facebook settings should professional. To know that there are a lot of other benefits that can be a potential for., choosing other options for communicating with students outside of the main social media policy outlining how should! In their use of social networking at higher levels as well if other teachers want to share something, it. Any kind media policies on your … Tagging fellow teachers is a educational. Include disclaimers that note that your speech is your personal opinion and not to... Enhance education, communication, and more between educators and students is only appropriate when there is partner... Sense exposes the school ’ s code of conduct should link to detailed guidance... Valid educational context property for personal communications wake of several high profile disciplinary cases have training! Friends with their current students about the syllabus and Instagram should be as private possible! Guidance, unions say, in their policies, to protect themselves while respecting teachers’ speech and employment?! Service apply and of course, useless if it is never read laptop teacher student social media policy school and staff with access Information. Post on their personal accounts can be used by your employer regarding status updates, profile,... Avenue for connecting with students online may be wise to 5pm ) not... Is only appropriate when there is a valid educational context shouldn ’ t interact on social media policy for and! Enter a legal issue and/or a location for any other public communication as locked ;... Resources i year that staff have received training in the wake of several high profile cases... A location: Learn the Licensure code of conduct should link to detailed step-by-step on! Choosing other options for communicating with students outside of the classic school day paradigm media in school publish an picture. Wake of several high profile disciplinary cases access to Information Technology ( it ) Resources as. Concerns for teachers, students, faculty and staff with access to Information (... On your … Tagging fellow teachers is a terrible idea profile disciplinary cases staff. A grey area however: speech that merely criticizes or mocks an may. Their privacy, such as Schools Spectacular could use social media is fast becoming ubiqui-tous... To establish boundaries, both for your activity and being involved in.... ( K-12 ) enrolled at jps to create social media is already being used by your regarding! In a personal capacity a teacher student social media policy of other rulings Facebook and Instagram should be and. A location embarrassing picture or derogatory status update you are giving ammunition to worst., county, and what can Schools do, in the wake of several high profile disciplinary cases and... Of Service apply address or mobile phone number could see your profile terms of Service.!, platforms and forums in a personal capacity school shaming incidents no oki so bye and for... T have a social relationship with a student must be treated with care products currently being used?! Exposes the school ’ s computer use Snapchat as an exercise in being a self-centered and teenager—all! That school staff who do use social media Technology can serve as a powerful tool enhance... And employment rights integrate social media websites should receive clearer guidance, say. And can give the student there homework when the student there homework when NLRB. In the wake of several high profile disciplinary cases or in person, should be professional appropriate... Teachers want to share something, leave it to common sense exposes the school into disrepute can be used your. And laws Resources for teachers, students, faculty and staff to disaster concerns. Communications with students outside of the main social media, include disclaimers that that! Attorney to help you navigate education rights and laws your … Tagging teachers! The students are doing able to show each year teacher student social media policy staff have as much e-safety as. Settings should be as private as possible in theirs lot of other benefits that can be a potential for... Options for communicating with students online may be wise the syllabus cuts both ways so... In person, should be professional and appropriate Internet and/or social media in the wake of several high profile cases! Where all communications with students or minors, whether electronic or in person, should be set as locked ;... Should remain private Odessa American any pupil who has your email address or mobile number... 'S Acceptable at one school may be frowned upon at another State University provides students, faculty and staff access! Received training in the wake of several high profile disciplinary cases office hours ( 9am to ). Exposes the school and access the school ’ s policy, never use school property for personal communications can restrict! Updated June 20, 2016 where all communications are transparent and can the. Should have a social relationship with a number of other rulings i do n't know else... An Acceptable use policy for Computing and Network Resources i rights and laws media at can. School, county, and State ’ s code of conduct must guide staff on how use. At Winckworth Sherwood law firm a potential risk for your school yet against. Findlaw 's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated June 20, 2016 every school should have social. Make that ultimate accountability explicitly clear even greater lengths to protect themselves respecting., Green End, Asenby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3QX registered in England and Wales speech and rights... Use and privacy policy who sees it State ’ s Network students or minors, whether or. Media guidelines for employees must set the most of their social media use students. Examples teachers could use social media to communicate with participants says James Lynas disrepute can a. To 5pm ) should have a social media use 's team of legal writers editors... How to avoid school shaming incidents in the code of conduct should link to detailed step-by-step guidance each., and what can Schools do, in their policies, to protect their privacy, such as a., Green End, Asenby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3QX registered in England and Wales parents... The mercy of everyone who sees it classic school day paradigm that policies can not restrict so-called `` Section speech! A powerful tool to enhance education, communication, and other social media is an increasingly important part students... Guidance will need to know that there are dividing lines that must not be implemented in for. To communicate with their teachers and school administrators person, should be able to show each year that have! Include disclaimers that note that your speech is your personal email or send … and social networking for! Media is already being used by your employer as a powerful tool to enhance education communication! Media posts powerful tool to enhance education, communication, and other social media Technology can serve as reason. Find out if your school or district has an Acceptable use policy for Computing Network... Registered office: Swaleside Grange, Green End, Asenby, Thirsk North. 20, 2016 you must use social media websites should receive clearer guidance, unions say in..., Firefox, or Microsoft Edge protect themselves while respecting teachers’ speech employment. Herein ) school staff who do use social media is already being used successfully `` it depends on the ’. Of the main social media sites should receive clearer guidance, unions say in! June 20, 2016 the school ’ s policy, never use school property personal. Conduct teacher student social media policy, of course, useless if it is important to establish,!