Love this post Rebecca and it ties in so well with my dissertation, which is on the shifting boundaries of teacher responsibilities in the digital age. I share so many of your observations regarding the new expectations on schools as potentially linking to a long lineage of character formation (which goes back to Plato and Kant) but had not considered the social contract point or really attended to the individualism point so thanks for the thinking!
Hi Kirsty, you might like Robert Pondiscio’s writing on the rise of SEL. I think this has had a big influence on how schools have become more responsible for personal self actualisation rather than ensuring students become pillars of the community. Thanks for the kind words.
As always, brilliant work! The growing list of 'school responsibilities' is a familiar story. Thanks for putting a spotlight on the frightening consequences of social media on children, many of which can play out at school, spilling into the classroom and playground.
Even though I'm in a primary school, the number of incidences re. social media continues to grow each year. We have the police come to school each year in Term 1 with a very honest/blunt message about Internet safety. It's not enough but trying to be proactive is our best bet as teachers.
I was in the classroom in the 1990s, and my kids were in school from 2004 to 2020. The kids and parents always had to sign a digital contract for school. Bringing it back and adding a home partnership agreement would be great. Parents need education as well. There are ways to protect yourself on social media!
A deftly crafted set of thoughts on the abdication of responsibility in regards to social media and technology by some parents. Much appreciated!
You’re most welcome.
Love this post Rebecca and it ties in so well with my dissertation, which is on the shifting boundaries of teacher responsibilities in the digital age. I share so many of your observations regarding the new expectations on schools as potentially linking to a long lineage of character formation (which goes back to Plato and Kant) but had not considered the social contract point or really attended to the individualism point so thanks for the thinking!
Hi Kirsty, you might like Robert Pondiscio’s writing on the rise of SEL. I think this has had a big influence on how schools have become more responsible for personal self actualisation rather than ensuring students become pillars of the community. Thanks for the kind words.
As always, brilliant work! The growing list of 'school responsibilities' is a familiar story. Thanks for putting a spotlight on the frightening consequences of social media on children, many of which can play out at school, spilling into the classroom and playground.
Even though I'm in a primary school, the number of incidences re. social media continues to grow each year. We have the police come to school each year in Term 1 with a very honest/blunt message about Internet safety. It's not enough but trying to be proactive is our best bet as teachers.
Thanks, David. I’m amazed that this starts in primary school.
I was in the classroom in the 1990s, and my kids were in school from 2004 to 2020. The kids and parents always had to sign a digital contract for school. Bringing it back and adding a home partnership agreement would be great. Parents need education as well. There are ways to protect yourself on social media!
Hi Beth, I think if schools don’t want to be drowning in wellbeing issues, you’re right, something needs to change!