Support for teachers on social media and ethics

Media Release – 8 October 2012

Support for teachers on social media and ethics

The New Zealand Teachers Council has launched a website featuring guidelines and resources to help teachers identify and manage ethical dilemmas while using social media.

“Teachers should be able to use social media with confidence in both their professional work and private lives," said Dr Peter Lind, Director of the Council.

The guidelines provide a framework for exercising professional judgement when using social media and have been developed in line with the Council’s Code of Ethics for Registered Teachers/Ngā Tikanga Matatika mō Ngā Pouako Kua Rēhitatia.

"There are all kinds of interactive tools and platforms that teachers are already using personally and for teaching and learning purposes, like Tumblr, Facebook and texting.

"Students' use of social media is also rapidly growing. The guidelines and resources on this website will support teachers to role model positive and ethical behaviours for their learners in the social media world.

"Strong role-modelling by teachers will grow learners who understand the implications of their actions online, helping them to become good digital citizens," said Dr Lind.

The website also features animations that bring ethical dilemmas to life, a set of presentation frameworks for professional leaders to use in schools and ECE centres with staff, and positive stories from teachers who have used social media successfully. Check out the site here www.teachersandsocialmedia.co.nz

The website is being launched at the U-Learn conference on 11 October in Auckland. We encourage media to attend this event, which is being held at SkyCity from 5.00pm.

ENDS

© Scoop Media