Taking a look at my digital footprint, my footprint is not very big considering we are in the age of technological advances and breakthroughs. One needs to be very knowledgeable to keep up with this generation. I have a pretty standard footprint. I first started using my dad's phone that was the size of a brick. I then moved onto the computer when I became older joining Facebook and Twitter. I then started an Instagram profile. I then started using iPhone's and began texting and using apps. Pretty normal for every person in our generation. Of course taking this class has shown me several different websites/ apps/ resources I can use for my profession, but socially and technologically, I do not see myself making my footprint much bigger than it is right now. As I said previously, I am not very technologically saavy, and there is a reason I have not made my footprint much bigger than it is so far. Technology scares me a bit. I have a hard time understanding technology as it is, so straying away from my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Texting, and Apps I feel would make me vulnerable to hackers and individuals who set out every day to ruin peoples lives. I understand that the sites I use now have excellent protection, but there are always ways to get around the security. I have never believed in putting to much of your information out there. I am absolutely fine with the sites I have and I believe it is important to have these sites to use. They are simple to understand and set up, I can keep in touch with my family and friends, and communicate with them.
As for my digital identity, I believe that I am the same person online as I am on a daily basis. I understand that many individuals do have a dual personality when on social media such as keyboard warriors etc, but I tend to remain who I am. I definitely agree that some people are different online. There are people in my family who I can think of who are a part of digital dualism. It all depends on the person, their intentions/ why they are using the technology.
In a school, I would definitely want my students to understand that their digital footprint and identity are extremely important. I would need students to understand that once their digital footprint and identity is online, it stays there. They would also need to understand the risks, benefits, consequences, advantages of being online and creating their identity. Teaching them ways to protect their identity and find the sites they would seek to be the most beneficial. the easiest ways to teach a class how to do this, is hands on experience and ample amounts of opportunity to practice it. Being there as their teacher and giving them step by step ways to protect and create their identity is crucial. Therefore, I need to become more knowledgeable in terms of technology in order to help my future classroom become skilled, knowledgeable and efficient when creating their footprint.
Good points Stu! I agree that it is very important to teach students explicitly that their digital identity is important and that they need to be aware of safety (or lack of) online and to do that we have to know what sites they are going on and how they work.
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