Procedures

The division strongly believes in the value of educational technology with the goal of improving student learning. Social media provides a contemporary learning and teaching environment that facilitates sharing of resources, access to information, innovation, global communication and collaboration. Education takes place in and beyond the school. Students and staff must be provided opportunity to access educational resources at a global level, while maintaining the integrity of the division’s core values and policies.

These procedures outline the division’s expectations for staff and students who use social media or post online in their work or who choose to use personal social media accounts to comment on division matters.

Personal use of social media or posts online by staff unrelated to division matters is not covered by this document, but may be governed by other procedures or standards.

Division staff are expected to model ethical and appropriate conduct. What we post online speaks to our character and reputation. Material that is posted should be considered permanent and can be viewed by anyone around the world.

With respect to posting material online, it is expected that:

1. All users will follow division procedures on Computer Technology Use and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy. The same principles and guidelines that apply for students and staff regarding the appropriate use of technology will apply to activities of all usersonline, including blogs, websites, wikis, user-generated video and audio and social networks.
2. Inappropriate references to the school or school personnel, students, parents or any other member of the school community, in a computer-related media, such as social networking sites, blogging, web pages or e-mail, represent a contravention of Board policy.
3. Division staff who have, or plan to start, a personal blog or website should discuss any potential conflicts of interest with their immediate supervisor.
4. Electronic communication must not reveal confidential information about the school, or personal information about its staff, students, parents or other members of the school community.
5. Electronic communication must not be used to criticize or threaten students, parents or colleagues. Division staff must respect the privacy and the feelings of others.
6. Division staff must ensure their online posting does not interfere with their work commitment.
7. Division staff must show proper respect for the laws governing copyright and fair use of the copyrighted material owned by others.

Education Act
AP 140 Computer Technology Use
AP 180 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
AP 190 Copyright
Personnel Handbook