Tips for New Members Re: Electronic 

Communication and Social Media

E

 

Practicing Caution: Guidelines for Electronic Communications

E

 

Defamatory Websites and Social Networking Pages

E

 

The Hidden Dangers of Electronic Communications

E

 

Electronic Communications and Social Media

E

 

Videotaping in the Classroom

Practicing Caution: 

Guidelines for Electronic Communications

The opportunities to use social media and electronic communication for pedagogical purposes continue 
to expand on an almost daily basis. Social media offers teachers exciting new ways to engage with 
students, parents and the wider school community. While embracing these new opportunities makes 
pedagogical sense, expectations on us professionally dictate that we do so with proper safeguards in 
place and a vigilant eye to maintaining the standards of our profession.

When considering using social media to communicate with students, parents, or others in the school 
community, it is important to remember that the technology does not change the role of teachers and 
their professional obligations. The principles that have traditionally governed how teachers communicate 
with the school community have not changed: professionalism, accountability, and boundaries continue 
to apply. Always remember that material posted online, whether via e-mail, Facebook, blogging, twitter, 
or other media, is never truly erased. If you would not utter a phrase or raise a particular topic in your 
classroom or in the presence of your principal or a parent, then do not communicate it by electronic 
means. When using social media, exercise caution and restraint and remain aware.

While there is a range of uses of social media and electronic communication in school environments, at 
least three scenarios have pitfalls that demand teachers exercise caution: teachers communicating with 
individual students, parents, or the wider school community, through Facebook or other social media; 
teachers being careless about their personal use of social networking sites or what is posted about them; 
teachers failing to recognize social networking websites as an arena for potential cyber-bullying.

Social Networks and E-mail as a means of 

communicating with the school community

Social media and electronic communication have the potential to provide innovative and exciting 
options for teaching. They also have the potential to blur professional boundaries and expose teachers 
to a number of risks. ETFO continues to support the use of electronic communication and social media 
as a teaching tool but cautions that its use must be consistent with the highest standards of professional 
conduct.

The use of e-mail, for better or worse, tends to promote a casual conversation style that can blur the 

34

WELCOME TO THE  

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 

2014-2015

34 of 116

CONTENTS

ENTER/EXIT FULL SCREEN