Be public
Learners need to understand that whatever is digitally posted or shared online can never truly be deleted. Every action, post, like, and comment leaves a footprint in the digital world that isn't readily forgotten. These "digital footprints" may be left behind with little thought to their future implication. Author Germany Kent wrote, “What you post online speaks VOLUMES about who you really are. POST with intention. REPOST with caution.” (Kent, G., 2015. You are what you tweet: harness the power of twitter to create a happier, healthier life.)
Good digital citizens maintain awareness that everything they share online shape others' perceptions of them. Online interactions and posts become first impressions. It's important for learners to remain aware of the images and beliefs they want to convey and align those to their online activity. Otherwise, there may be real-world consequences. Learners need to be taught to evaluate the durability and impact of their online actions, while acknowledging that they have the power to do remarkable things in a digital world. There's tremendous power in using technology to help raise the voices of many, so they are heard by leaders whenever possible.
For example: In a high school social studies classroom, educators engage learners in a discussion about the benefits and drawbacks of the use of technology in the school system. In an elementary school classroom, educators help learners understand digital footprints by presenting students with scenarios they may come across online and asking whether they should “share” the information or whether they should “keep” the information secure.
Did you know:
- 70% of employers say they check social media as a screening method before hiring an applicant.
- 54% of employers surveyed said they chose not to hire a candidate based on content found on social media.
- 36% of surveyed college admissions officers admit to visiting prospective students' social media before granting entry to their university.
Strategies to help learners and educators be mindful of online interactions
- Use Bing periodically to understand how digital profiles are being shaped. Learners can search their names and discover what online information is readily available. This is a great opportunity for educators to teach how to properly refine search engine queries. Examples include using quotation marks (to search for specific words or phrases paired together) or using a small dash/minus sign (to exclude a phrase or ending from the search).
- Use Minecraft: Education Edition to customize their skin (their characters' appearance) by selecting the hanger icon after login, and then choosing from one of the many customized characters. This strategy gives learners the opportunity to create digital characters that more closely resemble themselves or how they wish to be represented online.
- Using Paint 3D on Windows devices learners create, experience, and share in an entirely new dimension by creating a three-dimensional avatar that is used across their devices and account profiles. Learners also create works of art that express who they are or how they are feeling to share online.
- Using LinkedIn, high school-age learners begin to develop and refine their post high school digital footprints for professional or collegiate use, as well as use the Career Coach connector in Microsoft Teams to explore potential career paths that interest them.