Next steps: privacy issues in e-learning
What is the issue?
Privacy: Is the interactions between the students and the teacher in tools such as chat rooms, discussion boards, and e-mail occur in a private or public forum?
Why is it an issue?
There are no private forms of communication. All of the information gathered and sent online belongs to the school board. If you are using a school board email, all of the emails sent and received are school board property (Scott, G. F., 2008). Technology is no longer anonymous, and emails, photos, etc., can be archived forever even if you’ve “deleted” it from your own inbox (Ontario College of Teachers, Professional Advisory). Once information is posted online, it is in the digital world forever. As teachers we need to ensure our communication is always professional.
What are some solutions?
At the end of the day, we need to be using electronic communication in a safe manner, and ensure that when communicating electronically with students and parents, we are doing it as a means to enhance learning.
References
Ontario College of Teachers, Professional Advisory. (2011, February 23). Use of
Electronic Communication and Social Media
Scott, G. F. (2008, March). Student Privacy and You. Professionally Speaking. Retrieved
from http://professionallyspeaking.oct.ca/march_2008/privacy.asp
Privacy: Is the interactions between the students and the teacher in tools such as chat rooms, discussion boards, and e-mail occur in a private or public forum?
Why is it an issue?
There are no private forms of communication. All of the information gathered and sent online belongs to the school board. If you are using a school board email, all of the emails sent and received are school board property (Scott, G. F., 2008). Technology is no longer anonymous, and emails, photos, etc., can be archived forever even if you’ve “deleted” it from your own inbox (Ontario College of Teachers, Professional Advisory). Once information is posted online, it is in the digital world forever. As teachers we need to ensure our communication is always professional.
What are some solutions?
- Teaching online safety to students
- Teaching students how to responsibly use the new tools and technology being introduced in the classroom
- Notify parents about the different platforms being used, and explain their use to promote learning in the classroom
- Lead by example on how we should communicate online
- Ensuring we maintain professional relationships with students, and that we keep communication formal and professional rather than informal
- Have set hours that you reply, do not use personal phone number or email with students
At the end of the day, we need to be using electronic communication in a safe manner, and ensure that when communicating electronically with students and parents, we are doing it as a means to enhance learning.
References
Ontario College of Teachers, Professional Advisory. (2011, February 23). Use of
Electronic Communication and Social Media
Scott, G. F. (2008, March). Student Privacy and You. Professionally Speaking. Retrieved
from http://professionallyspeaking.oct.ca/march_2008/privacy.asp