Digital+Identity

[|Digital Identity]is how a person is represented in the digital world.



As teachers, we have the opportunity to help our students create a positive digital image. As stated in the [|NCTE Definition of 21st Century Literacies], educators need to attend to the “ethical responsibilities required by these complex environments.” As a teacher, it is your job to educate your students how to behave ethically in the real world and in digital environments. Students need to know how to avoid situations that can be harmful to the development of their identity. They also need to be provided with opportunities to create a positive digital identity.

Tom Krieglstein from [|Red Rover Blog] wrote that, “Everyone needs to be aware of their digital identity and the importance it will play for our entire lives.” How individuals represents themselves in the digital world may drastically influence their likelihood of getting a job. People need to present themselves in a professional and ethical manner.

Many employers conduct a [|Google] search of a potential employee in order to gain an understanding of their identity. In a blog post titled [|Making Kids Googlable], Will Richardson wrote that, “In most cases, [employers] say that the intent is primarily to find out if there is anything negative that surfaces. Almost all of them admit, however, that finding positive things about their applicants, as in portfolios or collaborations or even social sites, does or could make a positive difference in the process.” The first step is to make students aware of their digital identity. Try having students Google themselves in order to see what their digital identity looks like.

One way to represent yourself digitally is by using [|about.me] to build a personal page to represent yourself.

On [|my blog](Brandee) I discussed Rebecca Black and her digital identity along with others who unfortunately have got a negative digital identity. Feel free to comment with your thoughts.