Over the past few months, teachers across the province have received print and electronic information about the use of electronic communication and social media presented by the Ontario College of Teachers. Professional Advisory by the Ontario College of Teachers

With the exponential growth of social media, the College saw a need to reduce harm for teachers and students with the advisory. The obvious warnings apply to email, texting, Facebook etc, but what about blogging?
In their video outlining the use of social media, Jennifer Newby is quoted as saying that social media is a “tool that we can use in education” and it would be “wasteful not to take advantage of it”. Chris Vollum, social media expert, says it our students’ “window to the world today”. The OCT says that since we are governed by the Standards of Practice – care, trust, respect and integrity – we must be aware of the impressions we make, the vulnerable situations and the permanent nature of using the internet.
As with the use of any technology, the Technology Knowledge piece is crucial in outlining for students how the process of how using blogs will work. Clear rules, agreement contracts, information to parents and full access for parents and administrators are crucial.

I think discussions that occur online in the form of a blog can make teachers more accountable in their actions. What is posted is public and it provides the opportunity for both teachers and students to “think twice” before they post.