Active learning ideas
A digital footprint is the permanent trail of data left by an individual's online activity. For 6th Year students, understanding this concept is vital as they enter a phase where employers and colleges often vet candidates via social media. This topic explores the long-term implications of online behavior and the importance of maintaining a positive digital reputation.
Activity 01
Students act as a hiring committee reviewing the social media profiles of fictional candidates. They must decide who to hire based on the 'footprint' provided, followed by a debate on the fairness of this practice.
What is a digital footprint?
Activity 02
In pairs, students use a checklist to audit the privacy settings of a common app or platform. They then present a 'Privacy Pro-Tip' to the class on how to limit data sharing.
How can social media impact future job prospects?
Activity 03
Students discuss the 'Right to be Forgotten' and whether online mistakes should follow someone forever. They share their views on how to 'clean up' a digital presence before applying for jobs.
What are the warning signs of a phishing scam?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Deleting a post means it is gone from the internet.
Content can be screenshotted or archived by third parties almost instantly. Using a gallery walk of archived web pages can visually demonstrate the permanence of digital data.
Cybersecurity is only about strong passwords.
It also involves recognizing social engineering and managing what you share publicly. Peer-led 'scam spotting' exercises help students see that human error is often the biggest risk.
Methods used in this brief
Navigating the Web Safely
Students explore safe browsing practices and learn to evaluate the reliability of online information. They will identify secure websites and understand basic web protocols.
8 methodologies
Effective Email Communication
This topic covers the professional use of email, including etiquette, attachments, and managing an inbox. Students will draft emails suitable for workplace scenarios.
8 methodologies
Online Collaboration Tools
Students investigate cloud-based tools used for teamwork and document sharing. They will practice co-editing documents and communicating via digital platforms.
8 methodologies