What are digital footprints and how can we ensure both promotion of technology in our classrooms but also a safe place for our students. I believe there is a lot we can do as teachers to prepare our students on what is “out there” in the digital world. At the high school level, I believe a starting block is a need to understand the severity of poor digital footprints. Slander on facebook, restricted sites and other acts that can taint a students image. When I first started the IDTML program I was terrified of technology mainly because I was afraid of it. I was afraid of putting information where students can see it may not be the best idea. As an adult and a professional I had my reserves, as I should. Two of my students did get into my Twitter account and post a comment posed as myself. Likely it was not bad but it was
enough for me to be scared on what could happen. I think this is how many of our students feel. The internet, although helpful, has a big scary world out there. What if I post something others don't agree with? What if I press the wrong button. It isn’t like pen and paper when we can erase our thoughts. For all these reasons, I believe it is the teacher's job to help the students learn what is appropriate online and not but more importantly, create a level of fear so they are conscious but not too much where they completely stay away from technology. Below I listed steps I would take in my classroom to help students deteriorate the stigma around digital footprints.
Step 1: Look at things real life stories that can happen on the internet if you are not careful. For example, putting pictures onto the internet or sending them to friends you don't want others to see.
Step 2: Provide examples of the great opportunities the internet provides us both individually at school and personal life.
Step 3: Practice a positive post/tweet each week to build confidence and a positive digital footprint.
Step 4: Provide students with guidance on how to shape their digital identity.
The digital world is the educational classroom of the 21st century. Much like classroom rules there should be digital rules. They should be discussed in full to the class. The internet provides students with a new world. Some students unfortunately can get lost in this world. Much like Ferriter’s article discusses about “students who—because of psychosocial factors—are at higher risk in online spaces receive more targeted instruction”. Just as in a classroom setting I believe we need to teach the students not only what to look at on the internet but also how to do so. When using the digital media one must hold themselves in a responsible manner. The scary thing about the internet it the digital footprints students develop now can follow them for the rest of their life.
Image CC by www.tagxedo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment