Creating a Positive Digital Footprint

I am passionate about innovation in teaching and learning that is enhanced through the use of technology.  I am currently pursuing my undergrad in Adult Education through Brock University.  I have enrolled into a course on Learning in Digital Contexts and this blog was created to reflect on my learning. 

Students starting College and Universities today are accustomed to using technology to communicate and connect using various social media and Web 2 technologies.  Many educational institutions are leveraging such technology to engage students in their learning.  In my full-time position at Centennial College, I have the privilege of attending many technology conferences all of which include social media in education, blended, online and mobile learning. 

The internet has made it so easy to get all kinds of information at our fingertips.  However, it is almost impossible to be able to surf the net anonymously, privately and securely.  You may get a pop up or flashing images, or go to a site without having to log in, all of which may contain “cookies” to keep tabs on you.  We also have to be careful with webmail.  Any emails sent can be saved to the cache that hackers can easily get a hold of such as, social security numbers, age, address, unlisted phone numbers etc. 

Upon performing a search on myself, I found my twitter and Facebook profiles and posts, description of presentations I did at conferences, my work contact information, and many pictures most of which were not uploaded by me.  So whether or not I want a digital footprint, I already have one!  In a nutshell, a digital footprint is any text, pictures, and other media that can be traced back to an individual. Our digital footprint can include pictures we have posted on Flickr, wall posts we have made on Facebook, videos uploaded on Youtube and much more. 

 If I want to use technology, I will have a digital footprint, but it is important to be careful and have a positive one.

To maintain a positive digital footprint, I would bring respect as well as my ethics and morals to the forefront when engaging online.  I would use social media and other Web 2 technologies as a forum for learning, sharing and networking.  If learners become accustomed to using such tools for learning, they may begin to use these tools appropriately.  Recruiters look to the web to get to know potential employees; I have yet to create my Linkedin profile and for me, I believe that’s a good start in creating a positive digital footprint.  It just hit me, creating this blog is another mechanism for me to create a positive digital footprint as I am able to be reflective of learning, share my knowledge and passion for what I do professionally. 

Our behavior online is reflective of our online etiquette (a.k.a netiquette) as well as our digital profile.  It is imperative for educators and students alike to understand how to use technology tools appropriately to become honorable digital citizens.  “But more than a teaching solution, digital citizenship is a way of life” (Ribble, 2011).  Technology is ingrained in everything we do from work and school to our personal lives.  We should all learn to use it wisely.

References

Ribble, Mike. (2011). Digital Citizenship in Schools, 2nd Edition. International Society for Technology in Education.