Who Are You Online?

The unit "Who Are You Online?" has as its main objective that students will think critically about the complexities of having a digital identity. It tries to prompt students to think through the different ways that they present themselves, in person and online. It challenges them to consider the risks and benefits of having an online persona. In order to complete the unit, the teacher needs to have writing materials for the students, the NY Times Magazine Slideshow "Avatar", and the video "Ramon's Story." To help students think about online identities, the lesson has several activities in which students think through different reasons why people might adopt an alternative identity online. The lesson is discussion-based, with the teacher asking prompting questions to encourage the students to contribute to a class discussion of the topic. The lesson includes new vocabulary that can help the students to have a thoughtful discussion about the topic. As the guided discussion activity progresses, students are challenged to think more and more deeply about the complexities of an online persona, and to analyze the benefits and risks of adopting such a persona. I really liked the final activity that the student groups were tasked with, which was to develop set of advice that they would offer to a person attempting to "stay real" online. I thought this was a great way to help kids think objectively about the issue. The lesson offers several follow-up questions that might be asked in assessing the students, but it seems to me that the real assessment happens as the groups are comparing the sets of advice that they came up with. I really think this model of group work, with immediate sharing of ideas with the whole group, is a great way to hold kids accountable, help them to think critically, and assist the struggling students. In my context as a transitions teacher, I would tailor this assignment to the working world. I would have students think about how they represent themselves on a job application or resume, and how to this honestly, while still putting their best foot forward. I would also incorporate activities in which students imagine a potential employer is looking at their online persona and judging them based on it. I want them to think about what they might see, how they might perceive that, and how it might affect their employability.