Making Education Relevant Again

        Understanding the impact of technology is a broad topic; it seems almost as broad as the internet itself.  Technology covers such a vast array of topics trying to narrow it down seems futile.  As I reflect on what technological concept affects my 5th-7th-grade students the most I immediately think of their digital footprints.  The notion that something never goes away may be a concept they have not experienced, or it may be so abstract they cannot wrap their minds around the idea of something being permanent, never going away, infinite.   At their youthful age, they are just approaching the point in life where they are starting to have strong opinions and wanting to express those opinions to the world over the World Wide Web.  In order for students to keep their digital footprint from being a detriment to them and others in the future they have much to learn.  Students need to determine the mature way to express their opinions, thinking about who can see their post, and how their post can affect their future is going to be vital.   

       The video "Digital Footprint- Your New First Impression" is an excellent video that address clearly what our digital footprint tells others about who we are (Johnson, 2009).  Digital citizens need to take into consideration what story they are telling about themselves when posting, tweeting, or texting.  We need to have students thinking about how they want others to see them and what adjectives they want people to use when they search for their footprint.  Students need to think about their future employers considering employers go to the internet immediately to research their candidates (Johnson, 2009).  If you search by the topic “lives ruined by social media,” this search links you to an overwhelming amount of results.  Digital footprints are not to be taken lightly, and our students need to be educated on the repercussions of a seemly innocent post.

       Teaching students to think before they post is vital, but think about what?  Videos are great ways to educate scholars how and what to take into consideration before posting.  However, if we show videos to our students and do not discuss what they are viewing then we are not cultivating mature digital users we are just throwing videos at them.  The video “Oversharing: Think Before You Post” is excellent and has some great ideas that can promote conversation such as remembering the golden rule, choosing images, and avoid too much information to name a few topics (Common Sense Education, 2014).  There is a multitude of topics that need to be discussed with students and the conversations need to start now.

       Another reflection from this week that is obvious but something I never thought to discuss with my students, is the fact that their digital footprint started before they were born and continues after they pass away.  I had not thought of a footprint starting before birth until viewing the “Youth and Media- Digital Dossier” video. I reflected on how I would start the discussion, how I would promote original thoughts, and how I could help them see the value in becoming mature in their post and not posting emotional thoughtless comments. This week had a laundry list of reflections; however, our digital footprint was something that had me talking to my children and those around me.