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Digital Footprint Detectives

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Lesson Plan

Digital Footprint Detectives

Students will be able to identify the components of a digital footprint, understand the potential long-term impacts of online activity, and apply strategies for maintaining a positive and safe online presence.

In today's interconnected world, a student's digital footprint can significantly impact their future opportunities, from college admissions to job prospects. This lesson empowers students to take control of their online identity and make informed decisions that protect their privacy and reputation.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, practical examples, and engaging activities.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: Digital Snapshot

10 minutes

  1. Begin with the Warm Up: Digital Snapshot activity to gauge students' initial understanding and awareness of their digital footprint.
  2. Use the initial slides of the Digital Footprint Detectives Slide Deck to introduce the concept of a digital footprint and its importance.

Step 2

Understanding Online Echoes: Discussion & Examples

20 minutes

  1. Facilitate the Discussion: Online Echoes using prompts from the slide deck to explore the permanence and reach of online actions.
  2. Present real-world examples (anonymized) or hypothetical scenarios from the Digital Footprint Detectives Slide Deck that illustrate the impact of digital footprints on future opportunities.

Step 3

Craft Your Digital Persona: Activity

20 minutes

  1. Guide students through the Activity: Craft Your Digital Persona, where they will analyze their current online presence and plan for a positive digital identity.
  2. Encourage students to share their insights (voluntarily) and discuss strategies for managing their online image.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Cool Down: Future You, Online

10 minutes

  1. Conclude the workshop with a summary of key takeaways.
  2. Have students complete the Cool Down: Future You, Online activity to reflect on their learning and commit to actionable steps.
  3. Answer any remaining questions and provide resources for further information.
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Digital Detectives!

What's your digital fingerprint?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of digital footprints. Ask them what comes to mind when they hear 'digital footprint.' Introduce the Warm Up activity.

Your Digital Footprint: What Is It?

  • Everywhere you go online: Social media posts, comments, likes, shares, photos.
  • Everything you do online: Websites you visit, searches you make, apps you use.
  • Information others post about you: Tagged photos, mentions in posts.
  • **It's like a trail of breadcrumbs... but permanent!

Explain what a digital footprint is (all the data you leave online). Emphasize that it's more than just what they post directly.

Online Echoes: Lasting Impressions

  • Once it's online, it's usually there forever (even if you delete it).
  • Screenshots last forever.
  • Search engines remember.
  • Think before you post! How might this look to a future college, employer, or even your family?

Lead the discussion on how online actions have lasting effects. Connect to the 'Online Echoes' discussion material.

Your Future and Your Footprint

  • College applications: Admissions officers check social media.
  • Job interviews: Employers research candidates online.
  • Personal brand: What message are you sending about yourself?
  • Reputation: Protect it carefully!

Discuss how a digital footprint can impact future opportunities. Provide hypothetical examples. This leads into the 'Craft Your Digital Persona' activity.

Crafting Your Digital Persona

  • Activity Time!
  • How do you want to be seen online?
  • What changes can you make to ensure your digital footprint reflects the 'best you'?

Introduce the 'Craft Your Digital Persona' activity. Explain that it's about being intentional with their online presence.

Be a Smart Digital Citizen!

  • Privacy Settings are Your Friends: Know who sees what.
  • Think Before You Post: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it permanent?
  • Curate Your Content: Share things that make you look good and align with your values.
  • Google Yourself: What do you find?

Provide actionable strategies for maintaining a positive digital footprint. Encourage students to think about privacy settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your digital footprint is real and lasting.
  • It impacts your future.
  • You have control over it!
  • Be intentional, be thoughtful, be safe.

Summarize the key takeaways and transition to the 'Cool Down' activity.

Cool Down: Future You, Online

What is one thing you will do differently with your digital footprint after today's workshop?

Explain the Cool Down activity and allow time for students to complete it. Thank them for their participation.

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Warm Up

Warm Up: Digital Snapshot

Take a moment to think about your online presence. Without getting too specific, answer the following questions:

  1. If someone were to Google your name right now, what kinds of things do you think they would find?






  2. What is one social media platform you use most often? What kind of content do you usually share or interact with on that platform?






  3. How permanent do you think the things you post or do online are? Explain your answer.






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Discussion

Discussion: Online Echoes

Let's talk about the lasting impact of our online actions. Think about the following questions and be prepared to share your thoughts with the group.

  1. The phrase "online echoes" suggests that what we put online can come back to us later. What are some examples of this, either positive or negative, that you have heard about or experienced?






  2. Do you think companies, colleges, or even future employers have a right to look at your social media? Why or why not?






  3. How can something you posted years ago, even if you thought it was harmless at the time, affect your opportunities or relationships today?






  4. What are some ways we can be more mindful about creating positive "online echoes"?






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Activity

Activity: Craft Your Digital Persona

Your digital persona is the identity you present online. It's not just accidental; you can actively shape it! In this activity, you'll think about your ideal digital persona and how to achieve it.

Part 1: Self-Reflection

  1. Describe your current digital persona in 3-5 words. (e.g., "funny, casual, informed", "private, artistic, sarcastic")



  2. What aspects of your current online presence are you proud of? What do you think it communicates effectively about you?






  3. Are there any aspects of your current online presence that you would like to change or improve? Why?






Part 2: Designing Your Ideal Digital Persona

Imagine you are building your ideal online presence for the next few years (thinking about college, jobs, etc.).

  1. Describe your ideal digital persona in 3-5 words. (e.g., "professional, creative, curious", "responsible, engaged, knowledgeable")



  2. What kinds of content would someone with this ideal digital persona post or share?






  3. What kinds of content would they avoid posting or sharing?






  4. List 2-3 concrete steps you can take starting today to move closer to your ideal digital persona. (Think about privacy settings, content you share, comments you make, what you follow, etc.)






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Cool Down

Cool Down: Future You, Online

Take a few minutes to reflect on what we discussed today about digital footprints and online responsibility. Complete the following statements:

  1. One new thing I learned about my digital footprint is...






  2. One specific action I will take to improve or protect my digital footprint is...






  3. I think understanding my digital footprint is important because...






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