Looking at Russell Street School, my first impression is WOW. The website alone for the school is so professional and easy to navigate. If I were a parent, teacher, student, or any community member, I would be proud of this website and take comfort in knowing the information is so easy to access.
It seems like the school has transitioned to individual classroom blogs to a new format called School Stream. From my investigation into this school's website, it seems as though there is an app, or you can find information that has been posted on the website itself. I even found posts from today, which is awesome! Way to go Russell Street School educators in keeping your school and classrooms' blogs relevant!
I found this platform to be a great way for teachers to share information about what is taking place in the classroom. For me personally, I always take pictures of my students doing amazing things, but then never know what to do with them. I enjoyed that School Stream allowed teachers to post not only a written explanation of what students have been doing in the classroom but also pictures as well. However, this does lead me to wonder what kind of release forms the school needed in order to post the pictures of students. In other words, if I wanted to post pictures on my blog, what would I need to do in order to ensure that it was legal and professional?
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI love Russell Street School's official website, but their blog is so busy. The school itself is amazing, one that I would love to visit even though its location isn't within my reach.
As far as pictures of your students, Google Sites, for example, allows you to make your page private. Meaning, only parents you send the link to can view the site. Also, there's usually forms parents sign at the beginning of school that tells them their child's photo may be taken and widely displayed on social media. It is in my school system's Code of Conduct handbook, which they sign and return within the first three days of school.
Thanks for the tips! My school had parents sign similar forms as well, but was still wary about posting them on social media. Typically, I have only shared though a private Google Drive folder, but wondered about doing it more broadly. I wasn't sure if this was different since I would be posting on my own blog, not the school's.
DeleteI did not even think about the use of student’s faces in images and video on their sites. It would be interesting to find out if the schools privacy policy process in New Zealand works differently than here in the states.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would be so interesting to know what their privacy policy is! I wonder if the school itself has privacy policy that is relatively open to posting.
DeleteI have built an inventory of check-out equipment for my photography students due to the fact that quality professional tools in my profession are quite expensive. As a part of the the responsibility agreement that college students sign, I also ask for their permission to use their likeness and products for diverse educational (only) purposes, and I explain all of those. This comprehensive form has worked well form my department.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great! With younger students it is a little bit more challenging since they are under 18. It becomes complicated when posting, however, for educational use with consent it is usually okay.
DeleteHi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteIf I remember right, you teach 5th grade? I've heard a lot of elementary teachers use SeeSaw to share out learning with parents, including students sharing their work with both the class stream and just with their parents.
I have a classroom Instagram account, and I post a lot of pictures of my students working. Usually it's just anonymous shots (arms, back of head, maybe side of head), although I will post face pictures if my students give verbal permission. My students must get a signed parent permission to follow our classroom Instagram account. Also, my district has a district media release that I get signed so that I can post pictures to our school website.
I'm happy to share these resources with you!
I do teach fifth grade and I would love to have those resources! The last district I was at was wary of posting student photos even with consent to protect students and their identity. I like your idea of sharing anonymous shots, perhaps I will have to find out what the policy at my new district is when it comes to this.
DeleteI just messaged you via Blackboard, let me know if you didn't get it. I think it pushes to email. I've never messaged anyone via Blackboard before, fingers crossed that worked!
DeleteI had the same thought about photo release. I'm sure that teachers had to get permission from parents to post photos of students online. I just wonder what they do if a parent says no. Maybe students could still post a text post rather than a photo. I just know from my own personal experience that these students tend to feel left out so I usually don't post photos on my website.
ReplyDeleteI have had the same experience and do not want students to feel left out. Also, it is challenging, because then you have to take photos that do not have those students in it. Unless I had permission to post photos of all students, I would feel more comfortable just sharing text.
DeleteI posted the following on an additional response that bears on your point:
DeleteI wonder how the culture in New Zealand views this issue. Would they think we are behaving in a quasi-hysterical manner with respect to permissions? I can imagine a discussion taking place between parents considering enrolling their children at RSS, and administrators/teachers whereby parents are informed of the interactive and technological nature of the pedagogy in the classroom – where enrollment is contingent on these posting and image permissions before parents commit to enrollment.
A very interesting point, Keith. We certainly live in a world of permissions. Having permission beforehand where parents also understood the intent for such posting would make things much easier!
DeleteI think parents enjoy pictures of their children, which is why it's good that you take pictures of them. However, I think it's always best to ask the parent for permission. Also, it's good to explain the negative and positive side of sharing.
ReplyDelete