Digital Footprints



Video Courtesy of Common Sense Media
As we prepare students for their lives in the 21st century, we need to immediately begin talks about digital footprints and personal branding.  I teach Kindergarten and we use computers and technology daily.  We use web 2.0 tools, blogs and social media platforms.  I would be doing a disservice to my students if I allowed them to use those tools without also having conversations about digital footprints and personal branding.  I don’t use the term personal branding in Kindergarten, but we do discuss what we want other people to think about us online.  We want them to think that we are smart, critical thinkers that do their best work.  For example, we use Twitter to connect with other classrooms around the world.  Every single time we post something or respond to a message, we make it a practice to edit it and revise it.  Together, we make sure that it doesn’t have any mistakes and that it sends the message that we intended.  As soon as children begin using technology, they should be exposed to the ideas behind digital citizenship, personal branding and online reputations.  It is never to early to start.   

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