Using Rolfe, Freshwater, and Jasper’s (2001) reflective model this weeks blog will ‘Critique and address issues of law, regulations and policy in practice using a reflective model’ using school policy documents as well as teaching codes and standards.
What?
My ethical situation occurred last year when a student found inappropriate images, while using pic kids. The student then proceeded to show the images to other students. Due to the app they were using and that they used voice search instead of typing meant that we were unable to find the search history to see what words had been searched. The dilemma was what I did in reaction to the situation - either do nothing or act on the situation. I referred to the school digital policy and involved the digital team leader in the situation. We consulted the school cyber safety agreement that states that students may lose access to the ICT services and devices. As a result the students parents were informed and the student lost access to all devices for a week. I also had conversations with the other students and their parents who had seen the inappropriate images. The digital leader contacted our provider to ensure the filters would not let such images through again. I also taught additional cyber safety lessons.
So what?
I recognised that other children had seen the images and that it was possible for it to occur again and processes needed to be put into place to stop it from happening again. This also implied that they did not understand inappropriate screen images and what to do if one appeared. The time between cyber safety lessons was too long for it to have the best impact. I knew that there were filters that stopped images from getting through but was unaware that some images could still get through, particularly through different apps. This was new learning as I became aware that pic kids app does not have the ability to trace what students search for. The school policies on digital technology and cyber safety and the cyber safety agreement form supported the actions we decided to make. Ehrich’s (2011) decision-making model outlines critical incidents for a dilemma. The relevant ones that apply to this scenario are public interest and global context because it involved the student that searched the images, the students who viewed it and all of their parents. The regulations in Our code our standards (Education council, 2017) support this with codes around commitment to learners and commitment to family and whanau. I interpreted these regulations and school policies to support my decision making by putting the students wellbeing first as well as ensuring that I informed all the relevant people and putting suitable actions and teachings into place to try and prevent further incidents. I also ensured the consequences were suitable in regards to the requirements outlined in the school policy documents.
Now what?
To support in ensuring this does not happen again I need to ensure that students have more meaningful and purposeful activities to complete when working on the devices so they have more directed searches and outcomes. I hope that this will keep students from doing their own searches which could lead to inappropriate images.
Ensure regular cyber safety lessons are being taught to remind students of how to be safe online and what to do if they see something inappropriate.
If this situation was to continue to occur it might mean restricted use of the devices or removing the app due to not being able to monitor the searches.
References
Education Council. (2017). Our Code Our Standards. Retrieved from:
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
Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., Jasper, M. (2001) Critical reflection in nursing and the helping professions:
a user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Maraetai Beach School Board of Trustees, (2018). Responding to digital incidents. School Docs
retrieved from http://maraetaibeach.schooldocs.co.nz/
Maraetai Beach School Board of Trustees, (2016). Digital Technology and Cybersafety. School Docs
retrieved from http://maraetaibeach.schooldocs.co.nz/
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