Extensions

In this extension, you'll think more about the assumptions people might make about you based on your digital footprint.

You'll add a comment to your name in the spreadsheet and describe what impression someone could get about you based on your online actions and information those actions leave behind.

To begin, open your spreadsheet.

If you're working with a group, each person can complete these steps at their own computer.

Choose one online action that you take.

What might someone think about you based on this activity?

For example, maybe you like posts on social media.

Think about what kind of posts you support.

Maybe you like a lot of posts about rugby.

Or you watch a lot of cat videos.

These actions might tell people that you are a person who like rugby or cats.

Examine each of the online actions that you listed in your spreadsheet.

How might others view you based on these actions?

Now, select the cell with your name and add a comment.

Write a description of yourself from someone else's perspective.

List two or three things you think your digital footprint says about you.

Now, it's your turn: open your spreadsheet, think about what your online actions say about you, and insert a comment to explain what your digital footprint says about you.

In this extension, you will think about what you can do to shape your digital footprint in a positive way.

If you're working with a group, you can gather at one computer and take turns completing the steps or you can collaborate, with each of you at your own computer.

To begin, open your spreadsheet.

Consider your online actions.

If the only impression someone has of you was based on these actions, what would they think?

Next, think about the impression you would like people to have about you.

What actions could you take to give people this impression?

For example, you may post comments on social media.

Are your comments positive and uplifting?

Or would they make someone feel uncomfortable or unhappy?

Did you say something online that you wouldn't say in person?

Consider removing those comments and being more thoughtful about your posts from now on.

Another way to shape your digital footprint is to do things online that show others positive things about you.

For instance, if you want people to know that you are good at writing, you might start a blog.

If you are an aspiring graphic designer, you could create an online portfolio.

Take a few minutes to brainstorm ways you can shape your digital footprint in a positive way.

At the bottom of your spreadsheet, type "How can I make my digital footprint more positive?" Then, add at least three things you can do to project a more positive image.

Now, it's your turn: open your spreadsheet, think about your online actions, consider what you can do to create a more positive digital footprint, then start a new section in your spreadsheet to list at least three of your ideas.

In this extension, you'll make a poster to encourage others to investigate and manage their own digital footprints.

If you're working with a group, you can each create your own poster.

To begin, open a new Google Drawing and name it.

Now, add a text box to create a headline for your poster.

Use something that will grab people's attention.

Change the font, increase the text size, and change the text color to suit your style and emphasize your headline.

Now, brainstorm at least three pieces of advice that you would give someone about managing their digital footprint.

These might be things like: shape your digital footprint so people see positive things about you, spread positivity when on the internet, and think about the consequences of your digital footprint.

Insert another text box and type your advice.

You might say something like: create an online portfolio of your work, or untag yourself from questionable photos, or don't post anything online that you would not say out loud.

Remember to include at least three ideas.

Next, format the text to make it stand out on your poster.

Change the font style to reflect the tone of your message.

Next, add an image for visual interest.

Search to find an image that relates to your digital footprint and that illustrates the messages in your poster.

Include the word "transparent" in your search so the background of the image is clear and does not interfere with your text.

Search for the image and make sure you have the right to use the image.

Insert the image, and resize it if you like.

Then, right click to change the background color of your poster.

Choose a color that keeps the focus on your advice and images.

Next, download your poster as a PDF, or "Portable Document Format" file.

A "PDF file" allows you to share, open and print the file without changing your poster.

You can use the PDF file to print and display your poster or share it digitally.

Now, it's your turn: create and title a new Google Drawing, add a headline, add at least three pieces of advice for managing a digital footprint, insert and resize an image, and download your poster as a PDF file.

Not all online actions have the same impact.

Some of the data you leave behind is more personal -- and potentially unsafe -- such as your banking information, than others.

Some data may seem harmless now, but you may not want someone to find it in two, five or ten years.

For instance, if you chat online about video games with your friends frequently, you may not want college admissions officers or potential employers to see those chats in the future.

In this extension, you will consider the impact of your online actions and assign them a weight.

"Weight" refers to the size or consequence of each activity's impact on you.

If you're working with a group, you can gather at one computer and discuss each action's weight, or you can take turns giving a weight at your own computer.

To begin, open your spreadsheet.

Then, insert a new column next to the "Online actions" column.

Give it the column header "Weight" and bold it.

Next, consider how much weight each online action has when it comes to your online reputation.

For example, one questionable website in your browser history might not matter as much as a negative comment you made on social media.

Then, think about how easily someone could access the data.

If the information is easy to access, it may have more impact or weight.

Think of a weight between one and five to give each online action.

To figure out each weight, ask yourself some questions like: Does it involve very personal information?

Could it harm me professionally, financially, or another way if someone accessed the data?

Would the action embarrass me if someone saw it in the future, such as a college admissions officer or potential employer?

There are no right or wrong weights to assign an activity on your list.

Then, give a weight between one and five to each online action.

Format the weight column to make it easier to read.

Now, it's your turn: open your spreadsheet, add a column and give it a header, consider how much impact each online action has, and assign a weight from one to five for each.

In this extension, you'll brainstorm three things that you want the world to know about you.

Then, you'll create a presentation about how you could make those things part of your digital profile.

If you're working with a close group, you can each create your own presentation.

To start, open Google Drive.

Create a new, blank presentation in Google Slides.

Name the presentation.

Choose a theme.

Consider the topic of the presentation when creating a slideshow.

This presentation is about how you want the world to see you, so choose a theme that represents you! Next, add a title to the title slide.

Type your name as the subtitle.

Think about what you want the world to know about you.

What are your interests or achievements?

What do you plan to do in future?

Choose one thing that you would like the world to know about you.

Then, think about how you might share that information and make it part of your digital footprint.

For example, you may want the world to know you feel strongly about protecting the environment.

You could create a blog that talks about your interests and activities.

That way, if anyone searched the internet for information about you, they would find your blog.

Next, add a new slide to the presentation.

Choose a layout or a slide with more open space so you can add images.

Type what you want to share about yourself and describe how you would share that information digitally to shape your digital footprint.

Change the size, color, and style of the font, if you'd like.

You could also add a background color, or center the text.

Follow the same process to add two more slides to the presentation with information you would like to share with the world.

When you finish your presentation, share a digital version of the slideshow with a friend or present it to the class and talk about ways you can shape your digital footprint to be more positive and project the image you want others to see.

Now, it's your turn: create a new presentation, choose a theme, add three new slides, add one way to create a more positive digital footprint to each slide, and change the formatting and layout, if you'd like.

In this extension, you'll think more about the assumptions people might make about you based on your digital footprint.

You'll add a comment to your name in the spreadsheet and describe what impression someone could get about you based on your online actions and information those actions leave behind.

To begin, open your spreadsheet.

If you're working with a group, each person can complete these steps at their own computer.

Choose one online action that you take.

What might someone think about you based on this activity?

For example, maybe you like posts on social media.

Think about what kind of posts you support.

Maybe you like a lot of posts about rugby.

Or you watch a lot of cat videos.

These actions might tell people that you are a person who like rugby or cats.

Examine each of the online actions that you listed in your spreadsheet.

How might others view you based on these actions?

Now, select the cell with your name and add a comment.

Write a description of yourself from someone else's perspective.

List two or three things you think your digital footprint says about you.

Now, it's your turn: open your spreadsheet, think about what your online actions say about you, and insert a comment to explain what your digital footprint says about you.