Tokyo International School
Social Media Policy Proposal “Social Media is defined, in this sense, as online technologies which involve social interaction or collaboration among people.” PURPOSE Tokyo International School understands that teachers, students and parents are facing never before seen dilemmas in the ever changing world of the Internet. However, at Tokyo International School we recognise that the Internet is a necessary tool for learning. The purpose of the school’s social media policy is to bring clarity as to how to engage appropriately with such social media services such as “Facebook”, “Twitter” and “Diigo”. In using online technology, it is our aim to raise educational standards and student achievement. Tokyo International School promotes Internet usage throughout the curriculum and encourages staff to employ online technologies into their planned learning engagements. Our mission statement at Tokyo International school is as follows: “To nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers for global responsibility”. With this in mind, the social media policy aims to provide a framework for how to engage with online technologies, while taking into consideration the mission statement of the school. Social media is playing a larger role in how we interact and/or network with others in the 21st century and our students need to know how to properly interact with the new technologies in this arena. As we are all members of the Tokyo International School Community, it is vital that we nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers who comfortably represent these attributes in social media. The purpose of this policy is to clarify appropriate form and behaviour when engaged with social media. Keeping in mind the school`s mission, we promote a positive online presence for all members of our learning community and acknowledge that due to To nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers for global responsibility.
the ever growing development of online technologies, members of our community will benefit from a social media policy. We advocate that this policy is revised and/or updated every 12 months to reflect the exponentially increasing social media environment.
GENERAL GUIDELINES 1. At Tokyo International School we acknowledge and advocate the use of online media and we encourage the school community to establish a “positive online presence�. 2. We understand the growing importance of online technology in education and our duty in the Tokyo International School. community is to provide a safe and reliable platform for students to engage in online creation and collaboration. 3. The following is for staff: While online tools such as Twitter, Facebook and mySpace are effective for social interaction and contribution, at Tokyo International School we advocate the use of email and the school intranet as our primary medium for online communication and conversation. STUDENT, TEACHER AND PARENT GUIDELINES Student Guidelines Social media allows for students work to be seen beyond the walls of the classroom and even beyond the walls of a country. Therefore, you do have a greater level of responsibility to ensure that your work is viewed by appropriate parties. You should follow these guidelines when you post materials that could identify you. 4a. We strongly encourage students to abide by the rules and regulations of social media tools, such as Facebook, when establishing their online presence. 4b. We acknowledge that bullying does also exist in our digital world, and students will be subject to appropriate consequences of their actions if this occurs.
To nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers for global responsibility.
4c. Be aware of what you post online as social media is public, meaning that it can be seen by others and that it will be able to be seen for a long time. 4d. Remember that when writing online, keep the school’s mission statement in mind: be confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers who consider their global responsibility. Be open-minded towards others ideas, interact in a positive manner while also being confident and inquiring with your own posts. Teacher Guidelines Tokyo International School provides their teachers with online access and teachers are therefore required to incorporate online resources into their planning and teaching. Teacher expectations are appropriate and should mirror those of the students. 5a. Teachers are accountable for their actions online and are encouraged to use the available technologies as a means to communicate in a collegial manner, and with the responsibility that accompanies their chosen profession. 5b. Teachers understand, and sympathise, that students do make errors of judgement online as they do in their day-to-day lives. 5c. Teachers understand that behavior must be modified, not the technology, if problems such as harassment, bullying, inappropriate imagery, negative statements etc. occur online. 5d. Teachers are encouraged to experiment with social media that would directly benefit their student`s learning. 5e. Teachers are encouraged to use Twitter or another microblog account or accounts to allow students to communicate questions, ideas, theories and points of view with the following: the immediate parent community, classrooms within and outside of TIS, professionals in a specific field, and with each other. 5f. With a class microblog one may have a news feed from different people/classes if the teacher/class decides to follow them. It is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure the microblogs class account or accounts are “following” people/classes who write in an appropriate manner.
To nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers for global responsibility.
5g. Teachers are to exercise care and caution in helping to decide whom the class interacts with. Teachers are responsible for making sure posts on microblogs are appropriate and that whom the class interacts with on blog posts are of sound character. 5h. When applicable, students are permitted to take on class account persona's (Ex. Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein) and write from the perspective of their chosen person. Parent Guidelines It is important for parents to understand and support the various social media tools students engage with. Below are some guidelines for parents to consider. 6a. Parents understand they must take an active interest in their child`s online participation. 6b. Parents encourage students to be balanced in their online usage. 6c. Parents are strongly encouraged that they are familiar with the rules and regulations of the social media their children engage with. 6d. Parents support the school`s approach to using social media and the importance of online creation and collaboration to enhance their child`s learning experiences.
NETS National Educational Technology Standards for Students Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
To nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers for global responsibility.
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats. c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures. d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.
Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students: a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity. c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning. d. exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.
National Technology Standards for Teachers 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments To nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers for global responsibility.
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS• 3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
To nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers for global responsibility.