Category Archives: ACET Standard: 1.5 – Ethics

Social Media Policies

The follow are guidelines for creating a safe and productive environment for using social media in the classroom. Students are Sophomores and Seniors and very much adept at using social media. The goal of these guidelines is to foster appropriate and responsible behavior respecting the power of social media and the worldwide web.

Religious Studies Classroom Social Media Policies & Guidelines

Mr. Elorduy uses social media as a tool to engage students in learning using technology as a part of our 21st century learning plan.  The following information is intended to supplement school-wide policies contained in the Parent-Student Handbook.  Parents and student should be familiar with this document as it is required reading for attendance at this school.

Social media is a platform that allows individuals to communicate, share and create content in real-time or asynchronously through direct messaging, and public and group posts. It allows users to track hashtags and search for specialized content. Social media is a very relevant and useful tool for modern life. However, with that usefulness come certain responsibilities that need to be understood and taken into consideration before posting publicly or privately. Digital information in the form of your digital footprint can be available for a very long time. Users must exercise judgement to ensure courtesy, respect and kindness. They also must consider social media as a tool for serious learning. One’s online presence should be considered a serious reflection of personal character.

As a 1:1 iPad school, Christian Brothers High School of Sacramento requires that students bring their devices with them to every class. In your religion class this year, you will be required to have your iPad charged and ready for class. Along with your iPad, occassionally other devices are permitted for use in class when approval is given by your teacher. Such devices are:

  • Smartphones
  • Video Recording Equipment
  • Laptops

The following are guidelines which apply when devices are used in class. They are not meant to replace or supersede good judgement and responsible use policies stipulated by the school administration:

  • Students should be carefully transparent and honest online to facillitate good discussion and sharing
  • Students should be mindful of professional and personal use of social media use separate accounts whenever necessary
  • Social media interaction inside and outside of class should be respectful and appropriate
  • Appropriate language is to be used at all times, however, grammar and conventional language mechanics do not necessarily apply
  • Students should be aware of privacy settings and use discretion with posts
  • Any form of bullying or harassment is grounds for being reported to the Dean
  • Students are to be mindful that they are representatives of the school and should uphold school values at all times
  • Students will gain much more from their social media presence if they maintain a positive and constructive presence online
  • Occasionally, students and teachers make errors when posting online. Please respond respectfully to constructive feedback.
  • Students should be conscious of the type of media posted publicly online, especially concerning video and photos of school students

Mr. Elorduy’s religion class is designed to be a productive and positive learning environment. The quality applies to student interaction inside and outside of class. Students are to be mindful of the policies listed above, but also practice good judgement. If a student is unsure of how to respond to questionable activity online, that student should never hesitate to seek the help of Mr. Elorduy or another adult.

References:

Click to access Social%20Media%20Guidelines.pdf

http://socialmediaguidelines.pbworks.com/w/page/17050885/Student%20Guidelines

Click to access edutopia-anderson-social-media-guidelines.pdf

Code of Professional Ethics in Educational Technology

Link to Document

I am extremely grateful to Catholic education not only for providing me with a wonderful education, but then employing me to teach in its schools. However, it has been a source of internal struggle, because private schools tend to be a service accessible only to the wealthy.  My parents weren’t wealth, but at the time Catholic schools were somewhat affordable.  At my current school the annual tuition is $12, 387, which is an increase of 217% over a ten year period. This is huge.

The school does provide generous financial support. There is almost 3 million dollars annually that goes to tuition assistance. The most in the area. And several students attend the school tuition free due to academic promise and economic hardship. If I were send my children to the school, their tuition would be nearly paid for.

Concerning this assignment, it was fascinating to start looking at the school from the lens of an administrator. The costs and logistics of implementing a high level technology program are great. Yet, as it states in the text, institutions are driven by competition. In order to succeed one must compete. Education technology is driving force in the cost education at the school and it creates many ethical dilemmas in terms of access. Yet, the strength of enrollment is due to the high quality of 21st Century learning that is occurring on the campus. I think that as long as the school continues to provide assistance to families in need they can say they are living up to their call to ethical standards.