Thinking about the articles for this week, I was struck by the discussion of identity. One's online identity may be very different from other identities he or she has. In my experience a fully developed online identity is one that engages with others frequently. With the safety of a relative degree of anonymity (in relation to their other identities) one is free to experiment in interesting but potentially harmful or hurtful ways.
I believe schools have an obligation to teach kids how to be a moral online community member. At times, kids are glib and hurtful and don't fully understand the consequences of such behavior when it occurs online. What's online stays online, for the most part. Kids that are still developing their ability to comprehend abstractly participate on a platform that is really abstract to understand in terms of its permanence and long-term consequences. A curriculum that takes these considerations into mind as well as really educating parents about the important of these issues will keep kids safe inside and outside the classroom.
Lexi - Sorry don't know how to fix this moniker though I'm logged in as myself... (speaking of online identities...) :)
ReplyDeleteLexi, reading your post really made me think more about this concept of identify, online and in person. I think you bring up good points. Children are still forming their own identities in real life, learning themselves and social norms. Now they are faced with the prospect and to some degree, expectations, to have an online identity, persona or at least personal connections. I think the prospect of an online identity, has both positive and negatives. As the MacArthur report suggests, students will go online to express and find out more about their personal interests. In one way, helping themselves find out more about themselves. They will also seek out peers who share their passion and interest, which may allow them to identify with a group digital that they may not be able to do so in person. However, there are potential downfalls and concerns to. The moral responsibility and etiquette of online activity is a concern. These students should know and be expected to navigate online conversations and relationships with respect and moral responsibility, just as we would expect them to do in real life. However, teaching that and monitoring that may prove to be difficult. Online, it seems as if people have a screen to hide behind, which may cause them to feel a disconnect between their actions and how they affect people in the real world. Students need to learn how to interact online and still feel connected emotionally, morally and socially.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Alicia. I'm wondering though, can you really ever hide behind the screen completely anonymously? I agree there's a certain impulsivity that can work in a conversation that might get "read into" when written, but as long as there's a named avatar or moniker or whatever you call the online identity, you act as it, not hiding from behind it... Hope this makes sense?! :)
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