Tips For Teachers

Often schools determine the platforms and apps used when working with students, but there could be some flexibility.

Consider your choices, weigh up the possible risks and benefits and make sure you have plans and structures in place to mitigate any risk. Be transparent with school leadership and parents about what platform you are using, why you’re using it, how it will be used and what you have in place to protect the privacy of your students and ensure their safety online.

Check out our Digital Safety Management Plan(/tools/digital-safety-management-plan) to help you look critically at the online platforms and apps you use and evaluate their appropriateness.

Share plans and processes clearly with students and parents. What platform has been chosen, why, how will it be used, who will use it and what plans are in place should challenges arise.

Set clear boundaries about how and where communications with students and parents will happen.

Stick to existing methods for communication, however if an alternative is selected, for example social media (after a risk identification and mitigation process), avoid using personal accounts – set up a school-based account where there is greater control over who can access what and there is a clear division between professional and personal.

Avoid engaging in personal messages with students and parents and keep conversations professional and visible where possible.

Set aside time when you can disconnect. Digital technology can suggest that teachers are available to answer emails and messages 24/7, so share times when you are available and when you aren’t.

Establish expectations early. Revisit user agreements or treaties with students and ensure everyone has a good understanding of how to help everyone to have positive learning experiences. Consider co-constructing agreements with students and link these to school values and expectations.

If you are connecting with students via video conferencing platforms, make sure you think about your location. Avoid bedrooms and private spaces or areas which share information about your location. 

Some platforms offer a ‘blur background’ option which might help if sharing accommodation or workspaces.