Reflective Post: Digital Tattoos
The parallel between between getting a tattoo and one’s digital image or footprint is an interesting one. What we choose to share in social media cannot be erased completely, so it is important to consider carefully what is posted. Tattoos can be expressions about one’s love, religion, status, a tribute, or simply decorative. Similarly, a person can use social media to transmit all kinds of information about one’s relationships, interests, religion, status, political beliefs and other expressions. It is critical to understand the permanence and power of putting something out on social media and to consider not only the audience for whom the message might be intended, but also others who may be able to view it. Just as one may regret getting a tattoo after a drunken escapade, one might regret posting an opinion in a moment of anger. Additionally, future prospects for education or employment could suffer by a poor decision.
Digital literacy is an area that must be given serious consideration in the classroom and should be an essential part of the curriculum. Not only is it important for students to learn how to gain technological skills, but they should gain wisdom about how to use technology so they benefit from it. Many people can be hurt by using it unwisely, particularly in regards to social media. There are many aspects to technology that need to be considered in the classroom. Besides needing to be informed about smart use of social media, students also need to be critical about the reliability of information they may get on the internet. Brianna Crowley wrote an interesting article in Education Week, addressing digital literacy. In this article she provides helpful resources to explore related to digital literacy, including strategies for online searches and understanding bias and authenticity of information. She suggests Google A Day challenges for students to learn how to search for meaningful information and watching the TED talk, “How to Separate Fact and Fiction”.
We cannot assume that students can figure this out on their own.
What Digital Literacy Looks Like in a Classroom
By Brianna Crowley
https://www.google.com/intl/en-us/insidesearch/searcheducation/lessons.html
