Staff Code of Conduct
The internet and related technologies are important teaching and learning tools. These technologies redefine both the time and place for teaching and learning and have implications for teachers and how they work professionally in online spaces.
The Department has developed a range of policies and guidelines that relate to school staff use of technologies. The Department’s Acceptable Use Policy outlines appropriate use of the Department's electronic communications. This policy applies to all users of the Department's information, communication and technology systems.
See: Acceptable Use Policy for the Department's Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Systems
The Victorian Institute of Teaching is also working with teachers on The Victorian Teaching Profession Code of Conduct (http://www.vit.vic.edu.au) to identify a set of principles, which describe the professional conduct, personal conduct, and the professional competence expected of a teacher by their colleagues and their community. The Code of Conduct is a guide for teachers to help them in their everyday conduct which may include use of technologies.
The Code of Conduct is based on the values set out in the accompanying Code of Ethics:
- integrity
- respect
- responsibility
A teacher’s professional conduct is characterised by the quality of the relationships they have with their students, their students’ parents (guardians and caregivers), families and communities and their colleagues.
This professional conduct extends beyond the walls of the classroom and certainly to the online environment
The three areas of competence - relationships with students, personal conduct and professional competence - all apply to online interactions.
Both the draft Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics should be read in their entirety.
Scenarios to explore
The following scenarios have been developed to help teachers explore common online activities and interactions. They can be used to prompt discussion when teachers examine the three areas of competence as outlined in the Code. Consider too the differences between intranet and internet environments.
- A teacher is working in a social space online such as Myspace or Facebook. There are students who “seek them as friends”
It is just a click to say “Yes”. Try a Y chart based on the scenario and the various ways it could play out (Word - 28Kb). - A teacher is part of a professional online discussion group/forum. They are critical of the school leadership and post a message on the forum which outlines the schools decision and the mistakes made by the leadership. Use the Six thinking hats to explore the issue.
- The student welfare coordinator hears that there was some drugs at a party that a number of the schools’ students attend. It is all there on the students’ Myspace pages. Consider a PMI (Word - 29Kb).
- A school is approached by a university to join an exciting online project where by the students join university students in an online project using Second life. What are the options? Consider a PMI (Word - 29Kb).
- A teacher has their own Facebook account which displays a picture of them in lingerie and a provocative pose. (Or at the end of the footy trip!) You know because the students have told you. Try a Y chart based on the scenario and the various ways it could play out (Word - 28Kb).
- One of your students who usually is not open to communicate seems to find the online world easier to express themselves. They are writing stories which are revealing not only personal emotions but details of violence in the home. Use the Six thinking hats to explore the issue.
- A student sends an abusive text message to another student. What do you do? What helps you to decide? Use Think Pair Share.
- One of your staff posts up images the school swimming sports onto the school website. You have checked all of the parents have signed the release form. Use Think Pair Share.