How is your digital footprint?

In the first chapter of "Untangling the Web," the authors Steve Dembo and Adam Bellow, talk about curation tools.  Curation tools use things like social bookmarking allowing you to oraginze and share your collective information. It is a way people to share ideas and find information faster. If you go to sites like Symbaloo, and Diigo, there are folders inside folders with each different category and sub category. This is a great way to find topics related to your search. Curations have made it easier to find information on a topic and the different bookmarks help you share within the different topics more information.

The internet is a very useful thing, but did you know that every time you tweet, tag your location and even just post a status you leave a digital footprint? A digital footprint is the word used to the trace we leave on the internet. When we use the internet, the information we post never goes away. Therefore, we must be smart on what we post. If the internet is used correctly, a positive digital footprint can be left.  The first step is you want to establish an identity, this is so business, colleges and companies can find you. Your online identity isn't hard to find, so expressing yourself though a positive and respectful manner would be best. Second, be consistent. make sure to keep the same user name so people can find you and connect with you.

There are many ways to manage your digital portfolio. Teach thought came up with helpful tips to help make sure your footprint is the best it can be. The first tip is to make sure some of your social media websites are on private. No one needs to see every part of your social life. two, make sure not to overshare. Media is a good way to share information, but the world doesn't need to know every detail of your day. Another good tip they give, is to Google yourself. This might sound silly, but find out what employers and colleges can find on you. This will give you a good idea to what can and shouldn't be posted. There is many more helpful tips on how to keep you digital profile organized. This includes keeping one user name, password and email. Make sure to monitor your account and keep your passwords safe.

One of the worst things you could do for yourself is have bad posts on the internet. Many students post/ will post things that could effect them in the future. Colleges, employers and even coaches find things thru the internet about you. The major things you should not post is illegal activity. The pressure now a days to be "cool" is not worth not getting a job or getting into college. Bullying is another big thing that student can get in a lot of trouble for.  Posting mean things about teachers, students, employers doesn't go away. It needs to be up for just a minute for the wrong person to see it.

The internet serves as a great place to communicate and explore the outside world. It can lead to jobs, employers and even scholarships. Every single post that you send cant be erased, it is out there forever. In class we spoke with Cameron Brenchley, the Vice President at Collaborative Communications. He helped us fully understand the importance of our digital footprint. He helped the White House and the House of Representatives with their social media. Him and his team would make sure what they were posting for the government was appropriate for all ages and easily understood. Cameron talked about how even the White House uses the internet and different apps to spread information and communicate with the public. He gave us different tips of where to start for looking for employers and what applications to download to help us get our name out there.

Your digital footprint is whatever you make it out to be. Post the right things, stand out and express yourself. Doing this in a professional manor can help you out in the long run. It can help you as a student looking for a job, as a business owner and a professional get a higher status. The Internet is a wonderful place, just making sure it is used correctly is the most important thing.