Reflective Entry - Activity 5: Legal and ethical contexts in my digital practice

You know when…it comes to digital technology the benefits are massive.  On the other hand, the possible digital challenges, risks and issues for education facilities, staff and their learners across all spectrum's can be enormous and costly.   

The Digital Technology safe and responsible use in schools Guide, states that ‘these digital challenges are real and present a dilemma to schools seeking to use digital technology to enhance student learning.’   The Ministry of Education also mention and recommend the following:

Equally important is to ensure the online safety of all staff as well. 

In my opinion, the digital footprints of both student and teacher reflect not only upon ourselves, but upon our whanau, school and the communities we belong to.  Under those circumstances, as a teacher it is important to remember the professional ethics we signed up to when we entered the education field, as a safety net both online and offline… to help me not get out of line. 

By the same token the students and whanau require education in cyber safe practices as well.  School digital technology policies need to be reviewed and updated regularly because as soon as we learn to use a device, app or software another one is created.  

Students are savvy and sometimes more computer savvy then teachers. Having students input in creating new policies to help with the safe and responsible use of digital technology, can be a humongous benefit.  I hope this has been of some help until next time, you know when…

Resources:

http://www.education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/School/Managing-and-supporting-students/DigitalTechnologySafeAndResponsibleUseInSchs.pdf