I’ve always made it a point to behave appropriately in public – not only because I’m a teacher, but simply because that is what has always been expected of me. When I became a teacher, however, it became doubly important (and enforceable) in that it is part of the code of ethics I agree to when I was given my license. The BC Ministry of Education (2013) includes the requirement that “[e]ducators are role models who act ethically and honestly.” The ministry goes further to mention that this also includes off duty behaviour. Covert (1993) summarizes a number of important cases by stating simply that teachers are “…not free to act in public or private as other Canadians might, because they have a responsibility to uphold a moral code non-teachers need not abide by.” (p. 442)
Because the Internet is very much a public place I have always treated it as an extension of going out and interacting with people in a physical manner. This means that I think before I post, I consider who will eventually read something I have said and in what context, and I am aware of the various groups of people that I am sharing content with. Indeed, I am extra vigilant because as Hengstler (2012) points out, there are no take-backs in an online world. While I will slightly disagree with that position – there are a number of innocuous, or potentially difficult, social media posts that I made which I subsequently deleted and have not found anywhere; there is certainly a higher risk when posting online as is evident by the number of cases we read about where a persons online behaviour gets them in trouble.
In general I think it is incredibly important that we consider not only our professional image when “in public” but also our professional image online. I have worked hard to ensure that my online persona is exactly what I want others to see when they look at the work I have made public.
References
British Columbia Ministry of Education (2013). Independent School Teacher Conduct and Competence Standards. Retrieved from http://www.bcteacherregulation.ca/standards/ISTCSCStandards.aspx
Covert, J. R. (1993). Creating a professional standard of moral conduct for canadian teachers : A work in progress. Canadian Journal of Education, 18(4), 429-445. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.viu.ca/docview/215374106?accountid=12246
Hengstler, J. (2012). Managing digital footprints: Ostriches v. eagles. Education for a Digital World 2.0 (1), 89-139. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viu.ca%2Feducation%2Ffaculty_publications%2Fhengstler%2FEducationforDigitalWorld2.0_1_jh89.pdf
Because the Internet is very much a public place I have always treated it as an extension of going out and interacting with people in a physical manner. This means that I think before I post, I consider who will eventually read something I have said and in what context, and I am aware of the various groups of people that I am sharing content with. Indeed, I am extra vigilant because as Hengstler (2012) points out, there are no take-backs in an online world. While I will slightly disagree with that position – there are a number of innocuous, or potentially difficult, social media posts that I made which I subsequently deleted and have not found anywhere; there is certainly a higher risk when posting online as is evident by the number of cases we read about where a persons online behaviour gets them in trouble.
In general I think it is incredibly important that we consider not only our professional image when “in public” but also our professional image online. I have worked hard to ensure that my online persona is exactly what I want others to see when they look at the work I have made public.
References
British Columbia Ministry of Education (2013). Independent School Teacher Conduct and Competence Standards. Retrieved from http://www.bcteacherregulation.ca/standards/ISTCSCStandards.aspx
Covert, J. R. (1993). Creating a professional standard of moral conduct for canadian teachers : A work in progress. Canadian Journal of Education, 18(4), 429-445. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.viu.ca/docview/215374106?accountid=12246
Hengstler, J. (2012). Managing digital footprints: Ostriches v. eagles. Education for a Digital World 2.0 (1), 89-139. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viu.ca%2Feducation%2Ffaculty_publications%2Fhengstler%2FEducationforDigitalWorld2.0_1_jh89.pdf