WEEK 28 - Legal and ethical contexts in my digital practice

This week, I choose Rolfe et al.’s (2001) reflective model, which is based upon three simple questions: What? So what? Now what? My ethical dilemma involved blurring personal and professional boundaries using social media.

Step 1 (What?)

Teacher ‘X’ (a beginning teacher) took some random photos of her with some of her male students hugging each other. In the weekend, Teacher ‘X’ posted these photos on her personal social media without the consents of those students and their parents. Teacher ‘X’ and I are friends on social media, so I also viewed those photos. I advised Teacher ‘X’ to remove those photos immediately, however, Teacher ‘X’ ignored the advice, so I was unsure what I should do.

Step 2 (So what?)

I will use Ehrich et al. (2011) who have developed an ethical decision-making model shown below.

The critical incident that triggered this dilemma is when I came across those photos of Teacher ‘X’ and her students being shared on social media and do not know what to do because Teacher ‘X’ has ignored her advice.

The set of forces (or factors) at play create a concern about my colleague, the students and their whanaus, as well as the reputation of the school. These forces are:

• ·       Professional ethics – central this dilemma for myself is the professionalism of Teacher ‘X’ and her own sense of behaviour to act professionally to meet the ethic of respect in regarding to students’ privacy and school’s digital policies.

• ·       Ethic of care - I was concerned about the possible career ramifications if Teacher ‘X’ loses her job.

• ·       Public interest – is also highlight in the fact that Teacher ‘X’ is accountable for how she maintains professional relationships and behaviours with her students.

• ·       School community - if the parents question Teacher ‘X’’s behaviour and take legal action. This could also become a disrepute for the school’s reputation.

The individual in this dilemma is visible and it is “me”. And in this case, I brought my own professional ethics to resolve this dilemma in the possible way I could, whether it may focus on the ramifications and consequences or my relationship with Teacher ‘A’. It was important for me to share this dilemma with to someone else.

The interactions among the various forces mentioned above and my personal ethics determine the action or no action that I would take. I could either pretend that I didn’t see those photos on social media or I could immediately inform the principal about it.

Whatever decision I would make, the decision is more likely to have an impact on me personally, my colleague, the students and parents, and the school. For instance, if I ignore what I saw on social media, the implications are most serious for Teacher ‘X’’s employment and the school more broadly. I have decided to approach the principal to avoid of developing another dilemma. Teacher ‘X’ did not face any serious ramification, instead she was directed to remove those photos immediately with a formal warning to stop hugging students. At the end, it was a great learning experience.

Step 3 (Now what?)

"Our Code, Our Standards" reminds us of our obligations and responsibilities to others and the need to demonstrate high standards of professional behaviour in all we do. Also, the Code provide the learners, families and the public with confidence and trust that all members of the profession have agreed to uphold high standards of ethical behaviour (Education Council, 2017). We should commit to the profession by: engaging in professional, respectful and collaborative relationships with colleagues; and demonstrating a high standard of professional behaviour and integrity. And I should also commit to the students by promoting the well-being of learners and protecting them from harm (Education Council, 2017).

References

Ehrich, L. C., Kimber M., Millwater, J. & Cranston, N. (2011). Ethical dilemmas: a model to understand teacher practice, Teachers and Teaching: theory and practice, 17:2, 173-185, DOI: 10.1080/13540602.2011.539794

Education Council. (2017). Our Code Our Standards. Retrieved from: https://educationcouncil.org.nz/sites/default/files/Our%20Code%20Our%20Standards%20web%20booklet%20FINAL.pdf

Ministry of Education. (2015). DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY Safe and responsible use in schools. Wellington: New Zealand: Author. Retrieved from https://www.education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/School/Managing-and-supporting-students/DigitalTechnologySafeAndResponsibleUseInSchs.pdf