Our Online Footprint

                The article “Footprints in the Digital Age” by Will Richardson clearly describes how our impressions are given off on the Google, not necessarily good or bad. In the first paragraph, he describes about his worry of his daughter not being recognized positively when searched on the internet. He says, “That quick surf through the top five hits will fail to astound with examples of her creativity, collaboration skills, and change-the-world work.” This was interesting me, because it seems that people should also be recognized for doing something incredible, and not just for a negative post about something that they might truly regret.

                For the most part, I agree with Richardson when he talks about students learning the internet without the help of teachers. He said that we are creating, publishing, and learning on our own. It’s weird to think about, but the internet is such an important tool for people, that kids these days are teaching themselves how to use Web 2.0. Another point that Richardson makes is that we are not being taught by educators how to use the web correctly for creation, navigation, and networks of learning. I do agree that the web can be used for much more than just Facebook and Youtube, because it is also an incredible learning tool, like Richardson said.

                The next major point Richardson makes is how the internet connects people. He refers to a guy that met another person who shared their common interest of mountain- unicycling. It’s strange to think that the internet can connect people in this way, but it can also do more than connect people. As Richardson said, “Twenty- Five Days to Make A Difference” made people share Laura’s experience by creating organizations.

                This article made some more important points about the way the internet is viewed from a kid’s point of view, and an educator’s point of view. The learning tools the internet can provide should really be taught in schools, because web 2.0 is capable of sharing, connecting, and learning, so we should embrace that fully.