Ontario College of Teachers Issues Advisory on the Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media

April 11 2011

Backgrounder
Advisory on the Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media
Video (incorporates clips from teachers and social media experts – unmixed version available for broadcast, by request)

April 11, 2011 (Toronto) – The regulatory body for the teaching profession is issuing a professional advisory on the use of social media to its 230,000 members.

This advisory offers advice to teachers on how best to use electronic communication and social media with students.

“In the current education milieu, e-communication and social media do and will continue to offer engaging and exciting teaching and learning experiences for students and teachers. Their use should be encouraged,” says College Registrar Michael Salvatori, OCT. “We want to alert members to its potential risks and provide guidance for its responsible, professional use.”

“The simpler message for Ontario certified teachers is this: Represent yourself in social media the same way you would in person.”

The teaching profession’s ethical standards and standards of practice provide the foundation for the College’s advice.

“Our advice to teachers is to keep ethical standards – care, trust, respect and integrity – in line of sight,” says College Chair Liz Papadopoulos, OCT. “As teachers and educators, we model professionalism and responsibility for our students in both the real world and the virtual world.”

It’s the College’s role as a professional regulator to provide advice to its members from time to time on emerging issues or in response to member questions on aspects of teaching that will continue to advance the profession and the public’s confidence in it.

College Registrar Michael Salvatori and Deputy Registrar Joe Jamieson, OCT will lead information sessions in French and in English to members of the profession and members of the public on Tuesday April 12 in the afternoon. They will be joined by College Council Chair Liz Papadopoulos and Vice-Chair Ruth Ann Penny, OCT.

Members of the media are welcome to attend this session. The Registrar, the Deputy Registrar and the Chair will be available to the media between 10:30 and noon. Classroom teachers who use social media in their teaching practice will also be available to speak with the media.

Date: April 12, 2011

Media opportunities: 10:30 to noon at:

Ontario College of Teachers
101 Bloor St. West
Toronto, Ontario

Information session: 1:30 to 3:00 at:

Hart House, University of Toronto
7 Hart House Circle (2nd floor) Music Room (French session: North Dining Room)
Toronto, Ontario