Identified? AR#3

After completing the google search of the online identity calculator it was a bit shocking to see how many times my name was there. Well, actually only four of those hits were really me. I was initially afraid because I saw a search result number of 758,000. Did I like what I saw? When reveiewing the information that was up and running about me, most were consequences of social media websites, such as, Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. There weren't any pictures or videos out there of me, but I really was worried as I hit that search button.

I would consider myself as "identified" and as Thomas Friedman says, "hyper-connected" especially to the social media outlets. Does this bring positive or negative attention? Well, that depends on whose accessing the information and how they portray what they see or read. Am I relating to others and making powerful connections? This question was also asked by Friedman and I think this is a fair question. The information that you put out about yourself should allow for everyone to make a positive connection with your identity. Is what I'm saying useful? When talking about creating a teacher web, I think it is important for educators to make a powerful connection to many different audiences. Educators are held to a higher standard and I think they have to prove that.

Of course, my teacher web page is going to create an environment that is positive and friendly with all those that I deal with in education. It's the social media sites, such as, Facebook that can sometimes tarnish our images. Unknowingly, friends and family could post a picture of you that you would never want your students to have access to. Not saying, a law breaking picture, but maybe a pic of you in a swimsuit at the beach. I give this example because I have seen educators (including administrators) in these types of positions.

No, we cannot control everything that is out there, but we can limit access to those that we do not feel should see, like our sudents. If we make a conscious effort to filter out and look at and re-examine questionable material, then I think we are doing what is appropriate, but this still allows us to be identified in a positive way.