Honawar (2008) wrote that the use of cell phones and other video recording equipment to create and publish unauthorized classroom activity causes stress for some teachers and students. “The threat of exposure by cell phone cameras has potential professional, as well as emotional, consequences for teachers” (p. 29-30). The courts have also made rulings that seem to make it difficult for teachers to protect their privacy. In Evens v. L.A. Unified School District the court “held that a teacher must always expect public dissemination of his pr her classroom communications and activities” (p. 31). Furthermore, Roberts v. Houston Independent School District found “that videotaping a teachers classroom performance by a school did not violate the teacher’s privacy rights” (p. 31). While I do not know of an instance where a student generated an image or video clip of my teaching to a video distribution Web site, it does concern me that such media examples are taken out of context and can be interpreted in many different ways. I need to research to find out just how far statements that I include in my syllabus regarding the recording of classroom activities will protect myself and students. Administrative Regulations, Board Policies, as well as State laws and regulations may inform. Strom, and AFT (American Federation of Teachers) lawyer, stated, “It is conceivable that … a local union could bargain that if a student takes a video in the classroom, the district would investigate and take disciplinary action against the student” (p. 32). I believe that there needs to be explicate protections for teachers and students. Bullying and harassment concerns may be just the beginning of a quagmire of required legalese.

Honawar, V. (2008, February). Cell phones in classrooms land teachers on online video sites. Education Digest, 73(6), 29-33. (Retrieved October 26, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database)