ePortfolios

What they’re saying about the #Digitalfootprint

Sean Leave a comment

I spent the last week talking digital footprint with hundreds of students at my school.  As they develop their digital portfolios, we wanted make sure our students had a conversation about digital footprints, particularly their own.  We asked students to Google themselves, to picture how their footprint is seen by others, and to reflect on some strategies to keep a good digital footprint.

I shared several videos on digital footprints with the students.  This one showed the sheer vastness of information present online about us these days.  From ultrasound pictures to RIP notices, our “digital dossier” grows at an alarming rate and sticks with us throughout our lives.

After sharing this video, I would relate true stories about online interactions that got people into hot water.  A politician who had to step down, an employee who lost her job, all through online behaviour that that they had no clue would come to haunt them. Another video, by Michelle Clark, included an excellent Spoken Word on the digital footprint.  I emphasized this line in it.

“Whether its Youtube, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, before we upload, download,
type on those keys, press enter; we need to slow down, take time, think, consider; how will this instant information impact our hopes and our dreams, how could this careless communication be interpreted or released?”

 

And I think my students got the message.  Here is a shot of their Padlet response to my presentation.

And while some might look at that and think: Good work Robinson, you got the job done, you got your point across, something inside me said otherwise.  In fact, I think I missed the whole point. What’s missing? What is missing is that yet again I had focused on the “Do Not’s”, the “Watch Out’s”, the “Caution’s”.  Where was the inspiration?  Where was the delight of sharing thoughts with people around the world?  Where was leveraging the portfolio for global good?  Nowhere.  True, the students seemed to get the message of be careful online.  But could I have sent them that message couched in an idea that their portfolio could have amazing potential? As I returned to the classes to follow up, I felt I had to start things off differently.  I first showed this video below by Bethanie Gourley a grade 11 student from Arkansas.

I love the message here.  It wasn’t just that Bethanie got to hear from Casey Neistat, her favourite filmmaker.  It was that she used her portfolio for what she was passionate about.  It showed the power of the digital portfolio.  And her experience was such that she just had to share about it, and make this video.  Showing this video to my students was a great jumping off point to have them consider their passions and how their digital portfolio could be meaningful to them. I showed them my idea of “Random Acts of Commenting” where they could make an encouraging comment on a post that pops up on their reader. I let them develop their portfolio, change the theme, make it their own. I let them to embed a video meaningful them, work on their About Me page, and customize.

Then I let them play.
 
Really, in some ways it’s out of my hands now. I may think I can control my students’ portfolios … but it’s their portfolio.  The more I hand it over to them, the more they’ll manage it with care and attention. And the more I’ll be surprised with where their footprints go. 
 

#FamilyBloggingMonth

Sean 1 Comment

Dinner at 'Lorraine' 1922

I have a dream.

I dream that one day the dinner table conversation will start with: “I saw what you did at school today. Love it.”

I dream that a child will understand his mother a little better because he has read his mother’s post and gets where she is coming from.

I dream that a brother will actually sit down and read his sister’s thoughts.

I dream that family members can be the biggest fans of family members.

Here is one way that may get us closer to realizing this dream: #FamilyBloggingMonth

The guidelines. There are only 3 parts: Challenge each member of the family to post something in the month of November. Read and Comment on each other’s posts. Share that you did it. Simple.

  1. Challenge

Talk about it with your family. “I heard about this crazy idea. Family Blogging Month.” Talk about digital citizenship: what should a post include and not include, what kind of comments are helpful; what are the effects of hurtful ones? “What should we blog about?”. Three ideas to make the world a better place? The best part of being in our family? Our passions? Our projects?

Tech Appropriate

Riverside’s Tech Appropriate Poster

Think up and down. Think of your kids. But also think of your parents. Your parents’ parents. It’s a chance to hear from your crazy uncle. It’s an excuse to get your father sharing some of his insights. It’s a chance to hear what makes your mother tick.

  1. Post, Read, and Comment

Each member posts on whatever medium works: personal blog, professional blog, social media, lined paper. But here is the kicker: each member reads each post from each member of the family and meaningfully comments.

  1. Share

To the level of your comfortability, share the posts and comments tagged with #familybloggingmonth. This might be a tweet: “Participated in #familybloggingmonth . Great way to share as a family.” You might share each other’s posts tagged with #familybloggingmonth . You might not feel comfortable sharing on social media at all. That’s okay. Sharing on social media isn’t the point.

 

#FamilyBloggingMonth is a reminder that the most important people we share with are our family. It’s a chance to know and be known better by the people who should. It’s a chance to show our closest that we seek to understand them.

There is no mark. There is no grade. Only feedback.

So join with me this November for #FamilyBloggingMonth . And if you have the same dream as I do and become a #familybloggingmonth champion at your school, place of business, or circle of friends, let me know.

[Cover photo, “Dinner at ‘Lorraine’ 1922“, by Blue Mountains City Library licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.]