Our students' digital footprints usually begin before they ever even start school, but once they're there, it is the job of the 21st century school to ensure parents and their children are developing a positive digital footprint that will result in future success. This does not mean banning, blocking, or scaring children about the dangers of the internet. It does not mean keeping children anonymous online. It means teachers modeling safe and responsible online behavior. It means helping students think about what the internet is saying about them and those they know and care about. It means talking to them about how to harness the power of the internet. It means empowering them to create an online persona representative of how they want the world to view them.
The below presentation outlines why it is important to move from banning and blocking social media to empowering students to use this resource. It features real ways this is being done in elementary and secondary school. It also provides ideas for analyzing what the internet says about us and suggests some food for thought around how educators will incorporate social media into their work with their students.
Facebook in Education on Prezi
Lisa Nielsen writes for and speaks to audiences across the globe about learning innovatively and is frequently covered by local and national media for her views on “Passion (not data) Driven Learning,” "Thinking Outside the Ban" to harness the power of technology for learning, and using the power of social media to provide a voice to educators and students. Ms. Nielsen has worked for more than a decade in various capacities to support learning in real and innovative ways that will prepare students for success. In addition to her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator, Ms. Nielsen’s writing is featured in places such as Huffington Post, Tech & Learning, ISTE Connects, ASCD Wholechild, MindShift, Leading & Learning, The Unplugged Mom, and is the author the book Teaching Generation Text.
Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.
