(What): The
dilemma: Blurred personal and professional boundaries in electronic
communication
In
the past, I have been able to keep my school life apart from my home life but
this year, with the use of Seesaw as a platform for sharing the learning in the
class and the messaging ability within this app, I have found that I’m dealing
with issues that would be better dealt with face to face. Often these messages
are sent at times convient for parents but often when I am in bed, late at
night. I am happy to be in communication with my family and whanau but I feel
that the lines are blurred and I am being taken advantage of and that the use
of messager crosses the personal/professional communications boundary.
(So What): What framework will help me solve my
dilemma?
Ehrich et al. (2011)
states that with advances in modern technology and with greater access to
social media, educators now face and are answerable to new challenges and
stakeholders. I believe as there is many facets to my dilemma, I will use
Ehrich’s et al. (2011) ethical decision-making process model to resolve
this dilemma. Being a classroom teacher, I make every effort to deal with
family and whanau as professionally as I can, with efficiency and withiout
bias.
Our school’s policy on
Communication with Parents (2018) states
that teachers should remain polite, supportive and professional when speaking/
comunicating with parents at all times. An “offhand” or “patronising” tone is
never acceptable.
I have also sourced other
points of view from other colleagues, who maybe experiencing the same
‘bombardment’ of parent messages. My main discovery, is that they have turned
off the app from their phones and only deal with messages through their laptop.
This makes sense as the app also sends alerts to your email. I have made some efforts to disregard
messages, when I receive them, but as my phone is constantly on for my ‘own’
family reasons, I have found that ignoring not always the best response.
(Now
What): How can the Code assist me to solve my dilemma?
By being accessible to
family and whanau at all times with reason, stiil allows me to fullfil my
commitment and still engage in professional and respectful relationships. I
will answer emails when working on my computer and this is often after school
and even before 9pm at night. For my own family and whanau, I need to be more
available and tend to their needs as well, to ensure a ‘good’ work/life
balance.
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
Lynmore Primary School – Polcies and Procedures Manual
(updated March 2018)
Thank you for your blog Samantha. WIth the increased use of social media applications such as FB, blogs and such like I also believe that the lines are getting blurred. We as Teachers are asked to build relationships and be available to our students but what about our families. Perhaps clear guidelines could be provided to Teachers around what is a suitable time to be available. Technology has meant that the amount of family time is challenged as we can all be contacted all the time. I certainly don't want this to be the case for my work. Having some 'down time' also means that we will be more effective in the classroom. Thank you again for highlighting this aspect of our Teaching vocation.
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