Digital Footprint

Summary

A lesson plan focused on assisting students to participate safely with their personal online presence.

Materials

• Computer with Internet
• Projector to show Internet presentations
• Paper
• Markers
• Digital Footprint Infographic Example (provided below)

Background for Teachers

Student Prior Knowledge

Students will need to know some of the current social and online websites.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Students will learn that they create and add to a "Digital Footprint" every time they post, publish, or send information to the Internet. This "Digital Footprint" information can be shared, published, searched and is permanent.
• Students will learn that a person's online presence can be helpful or harmful to their reputation.
• Students will begin to consider what they post on the Internet and how they would like their "Digital Footprint" to appear now and in the future.

Instructional Procedures

1. Ask: "How many of you have walked along a beach? What is left behind?" (Footprints)
2. Introduce the concept of "Digital Footprint". This concept is information shared on the Internet by the person or others, whether on purpose or not. This information can be shared, forwarded, copied, published, and never goes away.
3. Show and discuss the Common Sense Media video: "Digital Footprint" (link is found below). Explain that any information posted online, whether by the person or someone else, on purpose or not, makes up a Digital Footprint.
4. Demonstrate to the class your personal "Digital Footprint" by "Googling" yourself (Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Newspaper articles, blogs, etc). Discuss the purpose and what is learned about you through your online presence.
5. Discuss with students how they can be safe on the Internet and not share too much personal information. Possible ideas would include: Do not post personal information about self or others; Be respectful of others; Use common sense before posting, remembering that what is posted cannot be deleted.
6. Discuss how a "Digital Footprint" can impact their future (reputation, peers, habit forming, job & college/university applications).
7. Students create a list of goals of what they want to post and/or what not post to the Internet.
8. Students create "Digital Footprint" infographics using canva.com or paper and markers, if computers are not available.

Strategies for Diverse Learners

• Students can work in pairs to create Infographics.
• Teacher works with student groups during independent practice time to assist struggling students.

Extensions

• Students can write, film, and produce a Public Service Announcement to share with other classes.

Assessment Plan

• Teacher Observation of performance and group work
• Use attached rubric for assessment of "Digital Footprint" Infographic

Bibliography

• "Canva.com" Infographic Creator. [Online} Available https://www.canva.com, October 8, 2014
• Common Sense Media. "Digital Footprint" [Online] Available https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/digital-footprint, October 8, 2014.
• Educators Technology and Mobile Learning. "A Great Guide On Teaching Students About Digital Footprint". [Online] Available http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/04/a-great-guide-on-teaching-students.html, October 8 2014.




Rubrics

• Infographic Rubric