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A NEW CODE of conduct for teachers in Ireland says that it is acceptable for teachers to interact with pupils on social media, as long as the interaction is ‘appropriate’.
Guidelines drawn up by the Teaching Council says teachers should take care with any communication with students, including communication via electronic media such as e-mail, texting and social networking sites.
The guideline would seem to contradict earlier comments by Education Minister Ruairí Quinn who has said that it is not appropriate for teachers and students to interact on social media sites.
In March, the minister said that he could “find it difficult to envisage how, in the normal course of events, it would be appropriate for teachers or any other school staff to communicate with their pupils through social media websites”.
However the Council said that it recognises the benefit that can be gained from appropriate use of electronic communications and social media in the current learning environment.
The Council said it also accepts that “there is a balance to be struck between personal and professional interaction in what is ultimately the public forum of social media”.
The core values of respect, care, integrity and trust should inform the professional judgement of teachers in all that they do, including online communications with pupils/students, parents, colleagues and others in the school community.
The director of the Teaching council Tomás Ó Ruairc said that the publication of the new code of conduct was an important and positive development.
The new code of professional conduct for teachers sets out standards for competence, knowledge and skill for all registered teachers in the country.
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As a teacher, I would never do it anyway, but I can see how leaving the option open is beneficial, especially in regard to secondary students. A class Twitter account for example to update parents about what’s going on in school, or a class group on Facebook where students can login to check what homework or assignments they have if they’ve forgotten. Not ideal, not for me, but they’re right in not banning it completely. As long as teachers are aware where the boundaries are, it shouldn’t be a problem.
When I was in school the last thing I wanted was to be friends with any of my teachers, maybe things have changed.
I’m not sure if I agree with this. This opens a teachers personal life to students, parents. teachers are entitled to a life outside work. social media like Facebook is 24/7 and has the potential to be harmful if misused. I’m an early Years educator and draw a line between home and work. on Facebook my ‘friends’ are my friends.
So then you set up your account do that only certain people can see certain posts or pictures. Just a little bit of caution can make your profile private
My personal policy is that my friends are my friends. I do run 2 Facebook page for childcare but that is separate to my personal one. People having access to your personal one can be intrusive. Facebook pages are a great communication tool to get info and messages out but my point is drawing a line between home and work.
If the students new that the accounts were controlled and overseen by the school then it might be a useful thing. But I certainly wouldn’t agree with a teacher using their personal account. It’s all fine until some buddy of theirs tags them half naked and throwing up on holidays or some other compromising situation.
Not thought out properly. Plenty of more academically focused sites that can serve to put learning online. Facebook is far from that. You don’t shit where you eat and you don’t study where you play.
There is a secure social learning network that exists called http://www.edmodo.com. This can be used to post up assignments, comments, grades etc. I don’t see any reason why students should be friends with teachers on Facebook. Facebook is for friends and family as far as I’m concerned.
I’m a teacher and I strongly believe that teachers should avail of the edmodo system if an online space is needed for a class. No need for students and teachers to be ‘friends’ on personal social media pages.
A typo at the bottom of page ….’kill’. Should be read as ‘skill’
Any teacher who goes down this route will sooner or later end up in disgrace book.
Very dangerous, would not recommend any communication with pupils on Facebook .
Teachers and pupils are becoming more polarized because of this divisive policy. Well, so much for community spirit in Ireland…
€ 1.1 billion unsecured bond payment next week… How could anyone vote for three more years of this?
Enda for Ex-Taoiseach 2012.
The Teaching Council
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