Social Networking

Posted Friday, November 28, 2008 10:51 AM by kent-teachers

Teachers accessing social networking sites for personal use during school hours
"A primary school teacher accused of spending hours on the internet during class time, using social network sites including Facebook, has been found guilty of professional misconduct." Read the full article here

Should teachers have Facebook and other Social Networking pages?
There have been a number of incidences in the press where pupils (and parents) have been able to access their teachers Social Networking pages  and have found  "inappropriate" comments and photos. Comments such as "I hate my students" and photos showing teachers drinking and behaving in an approriate manner,  are just a couple of examples of what has been seen.

What do you think? 
Should teachers be stopped from using social networking sites for personal use?
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Comments

# re: Social Networking

Friday, November 28, 2008 12:02 PM by Bobby

Social networking sites in our school are filtered but hotmail and auction sites are still accessible, so potentially could be used by teachers.

As for teacher profiles being accessed maybe we need to teach teachers how to make their profiles private.

# re: Social Networking

Friday, November 28, 2008 12:46 PM by Sally

I can't live without my social networking sites. They are my lifeline and the way I keep in touch with friends and family.

Every social networking site has the facility to make information and photos private. Teachers as well as pupils need to learn how they can keep their online information private. All our staff have received training on this.

# re: Social Networking

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 1:08 PM by Kent Teachers

The Genearl Teaching Council have produced a draft code for teachers that includes in section 8 that registered teachers

'Uphold the law and maintain standards of behaviour both inside and outside school that are appropriate given their membership of an important and responsible profession'

To view the full document go to www.opm.co.uk/gtc

# re: Social Networking

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 8:38 PM by Colette Cotton

Most inappropriate posts made by teachers or other employees at school, are made because of their lack of understanding as to who has access to them and their site.

Adults need to be made aware of the dangers as well as the benefits of social networking.

Perhaps all adults working in schools should have CEOP training to make them aware of issues when posting pictures and text online.

I wonder what happens at Universities for those training to be teachers?