This document discusses professional use of social media and provides guidance. It defines social media as online means for sharing information and developing social and professional contacts. The author initially avoided social media due to fears and lack of understanding but now sees opportunities. The document provides examples of how schools can use Twitter and Facebook to communicate with parents and students while maintaining safeguards. It stresses the importance of having clear policies, boundaries, and oversight when using social media professionally.

1. Professionalising the use of social media:
Setting the boundaries and seeing the opportunities
MATT BRITLAND

2. Matt Britland
Director of ICT at The Lady Eleanor Holles
School
Director of Realise Learning
Twitter: @mattbritland

3. What is Social Media?
“Websites and other online means of communication that are
used by large groups of people to share information and to
develop social and professional contacts”
From www.dictionary.com

4. Why I haven’t used social media?
• It’s a bit scary
• Scare stories
• Not really sure what it is or how I can use it
• Anxiety
• Lack of time
“Adapt, learn, experiment, engage and enjoy”

5. Twitter
• Write messages of 140 characters or less and
include links and photos
• We have used a whole school account to tweet
information to parents and other interested
parties about what the school has been doing or
about upcoming events
• Department accounts for tweeting subject
information, links, resources and student work etc
• Teachers and other professionals using it to learn,
collaborate, network and for discussions
• Rotating tweeters
• Opportunities to link with other professionals

6. Facebook
• An open Facebook page for communicating
information, news, photos and videos
• Closed groups for collaboration, communication
and discussion.
• Groups for discussion and collaboration with
students and teachers
o Students and teachers were not ‘friends’ but
communication through a closed group
• Embracing current technology that is being used
by adults and young people
• Opportunities to link with other professionals

7. Guidance
• Decide which service you will use
• How will you use it?
• Who will use it?
• Who will oversee its use?
• Create an acceptable use policy/rules
• Be aware of the mistakes others have made
• Use professional accounts for Twitter/Facebook
• If you are unsure of how to use social media, talk to an expert

8. Common Themes
• Safeguarding
• Rules we must follow
• Things that should not be shared
• Boundaries to maintain
• Complex situations
• Lots of information to be communicated
• Collaboration and personal/career development