Educational Voyage » media

Digital Dossier: The footprints we leave behind

Michelle — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:09:26 +0000

This video gives us a look into how our digital footprints are formed. It was created by Digital Natives, an interdisciplinary collaboration of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and the Research Center for Information Law at the University of St. Gallen.

We are beginning to see more and more news about how digital footprints are affecting people entering college and applying for jobs. It is important for our students to understand how the information that they place on the internet can have an impact on them later in life.

While this video does not answer all of the questions that need to be addressed, it certainly is a good conversation starter. I recommend showing this to students at the beginning of the year to open up the discussion about using the online world responsibly.

Seth Godin on the tribes we lead

Michelle — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:39:08 +0000

I have been following Seth Godin for a while now and have found him to have many interesting ideas. His recent one being the idea of tribes and how they are effective in the 21st century. In this video he describes his idea of tribes and how they are being used in society today.

Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so. (TED)

Game-based high-school history course

Michelle — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:13:20 +0000

Now this is 21st century!
Don Tapscott introduces us to this amazing new way to learn history. The full article can be read at Grown Up Digital. Take the time to view the video linked below. It is worth it.

Grown Up Digital » New game-based high-school history course via kwout

Watch the video for Conspiracy Code here.

Holocaust Project

Michelle — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:02:47 +0000

This year I gave students in my class the opportunity to earn extra credit by researching the Holocaust and designing a project for the St. Louis Holocaust Museum Art & Writing Contest.

27 Teens Win 2009 Holocaust Museum Art & Writing Contest via kwout

My students learned a lot about the Holocaust during their research and designed some wonderful projects. The contest included a writing division and an art division and students had the freedom to choose the way in which they wanted to express themselves with their project. Video, sculpture, drawings, essays, poems and much more were received as entries. Students knew that their that projects would become property of the museum, may be featured on the internet, and could be shown at other venues. They understood that these projects could become a part of their digital footprint and they were excited about this.

I think that it is important that students begin working on a positive digital footprint at an early age. They need to understand that it is not something to be afraid of, but rather a way to showcase their work and skills throughout their lives. I believe that this is something that we, as teachers, need to help our students understand and that we should help them begin the process.

I received many wonderful entries from my students and am happy to report that one of my students, Kate Schlafly, won first place in the writing competition. Her project was displayed at the museum and will later be displayed at several other venues throughout the city. Another student of mine, Sara Franklin, received an honorable mention for her project in the art division. Her project was also displayed at the museum and will be showcased at other venues as well. They were both honored at an award ceremony held at the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and were mentioned in an article on the St. Louis Jewish life site. Their photos from the award ceremony as well as photos of their projects are featured on the St. Louis Holocaust Museum website under events. This is a great addition to their digital footprint.

I am so proud of all of my students who entered this competition and recommend competitions such as this to other teachers who are looking to get their students involved in projects in the community.

Sara at the award ceremony

Sara's Project

Kate at the award ceremony

Kate's Project