SOME TIPS:
1. Communication with parents, students and other members of the education community is
best done verbally or face to face in a professional and structured manner.
2. Casual, off hand, joking remarks or expressions of support via electronic media are easily
misconstrued.
3. Pictures of you, chat discussions you initiate or participate in, and email or text messages
between you and others create a permanent record. Reflect on your electronic postings.
4. Advise friends and family not to post pictures of you on social media sites without first asking
for your consent.
5. Slow down. Don’t press “send” until you evaluate whether or not your postings, texts, emails
will be considered professional and appropriate in the education community.
6. You are not your students’ “friend”. You are their teacher and must maintain a professionally
appropriate relationship. If in doubt, call to find out.
ETFO has distributed a variety of publications on the topic of the appropriate professional use of
electronic communication. These are available on the ETFO website.
Videotaping in the Classroom
ETFO members videotaping themselves, their colleagues, or teacher candidates, in the classroom for
purposes of self-evaluation, or peer reflection, raises a number of potential issues. While ETFO recognizes
the potential value of using video as a means of seeking to improve, ETFO does not encourage members
to engage in this particular practice. It is fraught with risks for members and could lead to serious issues
down the road, including potential fines and/or discipline.
Privacy Concerns
Members have professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of all personal information about
a student, teacher, or other individuals in their classroom. Videotaping in the classroom, where images of
students, teachers, and others may be captured raises a number of these privacy concerns.
Personal information regarding students, teachers, and others is largely private. Educational staff are
subject to an array of obligations concerning the collection, use, storage, disclosure, and disposal of
private and personal information. The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
Act (MFIPPA) applies with respect to the personal information of students, teachers, and others. The
definition of “personal information” in MFIPPA is very broad and includes videotaped images.
The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) and the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) have also
cautioned members to be mindful of the privacy of student personal information.
The privacy concerns of others who may be in the class (including EAs, parent helpers, etc.) must also be
considered.
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