I decided, what better place to find my digital footprint than to "google" myself. I'm sure everyone has done this at some point in time. To no surprise I found myself on sites affiliated with the school where I teach. I found my name in the phone book, I also found my linkedin profile, my facebook profile, a few other blogs, my name listed in FINRA's approved brokers list. That was years ago, I forgot all about that. I started to look through some other social media to see what I've posted, with whom I have interacted and was pleased to see that there was no in appropriate material. If I were to run for a government office, they would have a tough time finding dirt online about me. I looked at my own personal computers temp files, and flash cache, cookies, and other traceable files to see what sites I had visited in the last few months. Again, to no surprise most of the traffic was to gmail, google +, facebook, Feedly, hulu, youtube, netflix, and a handful of music sites. Again, not too much dirt can be dug up. I did find my profile on goodsearch, and forgot all about that cause. I decided to log in and update my profile and continue using the service to raise money for a nonprofit charity through my google searching.
I grew up with the evolution of technology. I remember atari being the one and only greatest gaming system out there. I remember when the internet was made available in like the late 80's. I also remember how the internet opened up your computer for maleware, viruses, worms, and all other bad things and started to take steps for security. Similarly I remember becoming aware that the internet is similar to going out and standing on a public street yelling at the top of your lungs where everyone can hear you. Anything you put out there could be found and viewed. Since then I have taken appropriate steps to collaborate and interact respectfully and compassionately with others via online networks. That old saying "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all," floats around in my brain as I read through social networking posts, and news articles, emails...etc. It really is important to establish a professional, respectful persona while online. You never know who may just google your name, and what they may find.
Digital citizenship is now synonymous to citizenship. Most everyone in the industrial world has some type of device that allows them to access the internet. Anyone who knows how to read and write can contribute to things online. I think the earlier we start teaching students the importance of their digital citizenship the better they will be prepared for the chance that an employer, or college "google's" their name. Students need to understand that their interactions online may not have immediate repercussions but it is writing that is archived and can be found by anyone who searches for that information. "The way young people socialize online deeply affects the relationships they have with themselves and the people around them" (Ikeepsafe, 2013). I think students should start learning about digital citizenship as early as kindergarten, and continue to learn right up through school. By the time they graduate there is potential that they may participate in online studies, or telecommute for a job, or be required to stay connected as they travel for work.
Technology is not going to go away, it is only going to get better, more sophisticated and continue to become a part of the normal day. The earlier students learn how to "behave" online the better prepared they will be as technology evolves. Digital citizenship is part of life, it is how we keep current with technology, collaborate, research trends and transform into a professional being who is up to date (Lindsay.J. 2010). In order to be a valuable digital citizen, students need to learn appropriate ways to interact, and understand the trail they leave online, or their "Digital Dossier" if you will.
How do we teach these skills. One great resource I discovered that can be valuable as we breach these topics with students is located here. These lessons aren't the only tools out there, but we need to start somewhere. The sooner students understand how to interact safely and respectfully technology will be much more valuable for their own education.
References.
I Keep Safe Blog, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.ikeepsafe.org/educational-issues/preparing-our-children-for-global-digital-citizenship-success/
Lindsay, J., Davis, V. 2010. Navigate. Learning & Leading with Technology, March/April 2010. Retrieved from http://www.flatclassroomproject.org/file/view/DigitalCitizenship_Mar2010.pdf
Digitalnavitves. Digital Dossier. 2008 Retrieved from http://youtu.be/79IYZVYIVLA.
After reading your post, I Googled myself. I didn't really have a lot of stuff appear, but it was fun anyway. I also like your comparison to yelling out all of your business on the street corner. No matter how "private" you have your settings, once it is on the internet there are ways for others to get a hold of the information. Teaching this to our students early is crucial. I also previewed your link with the lessons and videos. Great resource!!
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about, "The earlier students learn how to "behave" online the better prepared they will be as technology evolves." I do believe that they need to be using technology for more the socializing and playing games to see that it is more than what they see it as.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about, "The earlier students learn how to "behave" online the better prepared they will be as technology evolves." I do believe that they need to be using technology for more the socializing and playing games to see that it is more than what they see it as.
ReplyDelete