Current methods for managing security and privacy are no longer sufficient. We have witnessed the start of a truly astonishing year for digital identity breaches. The headlines in (Daily Mail, 2018), discusses reports regarding a UK based analytics company’s absolute disregard for up to 50 million Facebook user’s personal data.
However, the internet is unquestionably one of the greatest resources available in classroom’s today. Unfortunately, it is also very unsafe. Each time you are online, you leave a digital trail. These portions of personal data scattered across many databases, social networks etc. merged together create a picture of who you are, what you do and what you like. This forms a perception people have about you. Posts can come back to haunt you, which can impact negatively at school and in your personal life both now and in the future. (Victoria State Government, 2017).
Students, how many text, picture messages, emails, comments on Facebook or Twitter do you create per day? (ACARA, 2016) suggests, too many and more importantly you pay little attention in protecting your online identity until something happens. So, start today, learn how to apply safe and ethical practices and protect yourself.
You know you have very little control about your personal information that is available online. So, stop putting it out there. The data you create is valuable in more ways than you could ever envisage. So, if you expose yourself and your personal information, expect that it will be used. This digital footprint created by you and published online can show up anywhere worldwide and be re-used in ways you never imagined. If you follow Tranberg (2013) advice you will ‘fake it’, create a new identity for yourself.
As a future educator my digital tattoo is of the upmost importance to me as I need to lead by example when educating children about the dangers of social media and the impact this can have on their reputation. So, follow my lead.
References
ACARA. (2016). Digital Technologies & Knowledge.Retrieved from: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/technologies/digital-technologies/?strand=Digital+Technologies+Knowledge+and+Understanding&strand=Digital+Technologies+Processes+and+Production+Skills&capability=ignore&priority=ignore&year=12983&elaborations=true
Facebook data Leaked, (2018, March 19). Daily Mail.Retrieved From: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5519897/Facebook-launches-audit-data-leaked-Trump-consultant.html
Open Colleges. (2016). Computer lifejacket [Image].Retrieved from: https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/cyber-safety/
Tranberg, P. (2013, October 4).Fake It - to control your digital identity {video file]. Retrieved From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRrgD-4-D8s
Victoria State Government. (2017). Protecting my online identity. Retrieved from: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/cyberteach7to8.aspx#H2N1013F
REFLECTION
Prior to starting this assessment, I would have stated that I am not digitally fluent. However, has the weeks pass by I have been forced to move away from my comfort zone and challenge myself. The more I was challenged the easier it became to master the tools and my confidence grew. (Deewr, 2009) noted in The Early Years Learning Framework that “educators should be developing their own confidence with technologies”. Using new and exciting programs has given me an interesting insight into the digital world. All the programs I selected to use were suitable and adaptable for using in an educational setting. I am grateful for this because studentsin Australia today need schools to provide the most up-to-date technology. And rightly so, because “digital technology has opened up countless avenues of learning”.(Wikramanayake, 2005) Prezi should be used in education because of the stunning and exciting visual presentations it offers and it is very easy to navigate. The ability to embed information from one tool to another was magical. I agree with Weebly for Education (2018) comments that Weebly is perfect for creating classroom websites, student e-portfolios, and websites for projects. Their drag & drop website editor is simple to use and appropriate for use with schoolchildren of all ages. I got so creative with the variety of multimedia available for use. After much deliberation, I selected the online audio recording program Voki for my auditory oral speech. The use of avatars was ingenious and students would really like this entertaining feature.
I believe the use of technology needs to be at the forefront of every lesson. The majority of students will be more involved in their education when being educated through interaction with technology whilst discovering the amazing digital world amongst us. My confidence in technology had grown massively throughout my studies as I learnt from my mistakes and so will my students.
References
Deewr. (2009). Belonging, being, becoming: Early years learning framework.Canberra: Australia Government.
Weebly for education. (2018). Retrieved from: https://education.weebly.com/ed-features.php
Wikramanayake, G. (2005). Impact of Digital Technology on Education.Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/216361364_Impact_of_Digital_Technology_on_Education