Standard 7.1: Meet professional ethics and responsibilities.
Understand and apply key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct for the teaching profession.
Standard 7.1 is to ensure that teachers uphold ethical and professional principles within the teaching profession. This is necessary to provide a safe environment for teaching staff, students, parents and the school community. |
ICT Elaboration: Understand and apply ethical practice principles when using digital resources and told for teaching, with a particular focus on cyber safety.
The Teachers Registration Board provides a general code of ethics, however, ICT is in a field of its own. The problem is that technology has changed the way that we communicate and interact with one another over a very short space of time, as such ethics around ICT usage tend to be a little unclear. Teachers need to monitor students activity on the internet to uphold their duty of care. This may seem difficult to do successfully, luckily Cybersmart provide some helpful tips for schools and teachers. Cybersmart recommends using ‘budd-e’ as a way to educate students about the risks going online, and any possible consequences of online activity. It provides advice to reduce risk and increase our online security. I would use the budd-e program with all students at the beginning of the school year so that they have a good understanding of the risks involved with the internet. |
Evidence.
Whenever I begin a new job, regardless of whether it is in a school, I read my new employer's code of ethics. Being informed is the first step to upholding professional ethics and responsibilities. Attached below is the code of ethics from my first placement, it outlines the ethical expectations the school has for its staff. It is expected that all staff 'advocate for the physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing of students'. As such it would be unethical for me to work in a school without my Reporting Abuse and Neglect training. Ensuring that I have all of the necessary qualifications and training is one way that I endeavour to meet my professional ethics and responsibilities. |
code_of_ethics_for_seymour_college_staff_.pdf | |
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Standard 7.2: Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements.
Understand the relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and processes required for teachers according to school stage.
Standard 7.2 requires teachers to understand and comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements. |
ICT Elaboration: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to access and implement the administrative requirements of a school.
Firstly, teachers need to find the necessary information regarding their legislative requirements outlined by the Teachers Registration Board, this can easily be done online. This will give them a better understanding of their administrative, legislative and organisational requirements. It is important to note that every school will also have their own individual policies that teachers are expected to comply with. Teachers should make a point of checking DECD and the TRB to keep up with the latest requirements. It is essential for teachers to have a good understanding of these requirements as they are a necessary party of operating as a professional. |
Evidence.
I endeavour to meet all of the legislative, administrative and organisational requirements needed to become a teacher. For example, it is a requirement of DECD that I have a police clearance, certificate of First Aid and have completed my Reporting Abuse and Neglect training. I have completed all of these so that I comply with my professional requirements. |
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Standard 7.3: Engage with the parents/carers.
Understand strategies for working effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents/caregivers.
It is important that teachers engage with parents and caregivers. A good level of communication helps to foster a supportive school environment which is student focused. We know that a strong school community encourages student learning and achievement. |
ICT Elaboration: Understand how to use digital resources and tools for communicating effectively, ethically, sensitively and confidentially with parents/carers.
ICT can facilitate communication with parents and carers as it is quicker and more reliable than simply sending notes home with students. The most obvious method is through emails, almost all correspondence can be delivered in this way. It’s quick and easy, it also enables parents and teachers to keep a record of important messages. |
Evidence.
While I was on my second practicum I was encouraged to write a paragraph about my Main Lesson with class 8 to be added to the weekly email sent to parents by my mentor (she was also the class 8 guardian). These emails were used to touch base with parents and keep them informed on anything happening with the class. I was nice to be included in these emails. It also helped to break the ice with some parents; throughout prac I had parents coming up to me after school to say hello, I also got some positive feedback from them. It is important to engage with parents. I believe that when you have good teacher/parent rapport there is a lot more trust in the teachers abilities. Which in turn creates a good energy within the class. |
Standard 7.4: Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities.
Understand the role of external professional and community representatives in broadening teachers' professional knowledge and practice.
Standard 7.4 requires that that teachers engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities. This is necessary because the teaching profession is always changing; professional teaching networks are not only a good support system for advice and resources but they also work to keep teachers informed about any changes in their discipline. |
ICT Elaboration: Understand the range of opportunities for sharing and enhancing professional practice available through online communication with experts and community representatives, and contribution to professional and community sites, online discussions and forums.
There are many online teaching networks, many operate through Facebook. For example, the History Teachers Association of South Australia has it's own Facebook group where you can stay connected to other group members. The benefit to an online association like this that you can receive updates from them instantly rather than waiting for their monthly newsletter to arrive in the post. You can also post questions directly to the group members and generally someone will reply within minutes. |
Evidence.
I am a member of various professional teaching networks, for example: the Australian Education Union (S.A. branch), the South Australian French Teachers' Association, the History Teachers' Association of South Australia (HTASA), and the Teachers of Adelaide Facebook group. All of these networks have provided me with support or information at one point or another over this last year. I use these networks to broaden my professional knowledge, especially in terms of curriculum, content and resources. There were points throughout my practicums where I would have been completely lost without the help of these networks. |