This document outlines 10 ways that Deborah Lyman plans to ensure that her digital footprint presents her in a positive, professional manner. She will create a professional blog and participate in discussions on existing blogs to showcase her skills and knowledge as an educator and technologist. She will use Facebook, Twitter, and resource sharing sites professionally to network with other educators and share resources. By using her real name, making her accounts public and searchable, and posting thoughtful, constructive content, she aims to develop a respected, credible online presence.

1. MY DIGITAL
FOOTPRINT
A PRESENTATION BY
DEBORAH LYMAN

2. Online portfolios of who we
are, what we do, and by
association, what we know—
are becoming increasingly
woven into the fabric of
almost every aspect of our
lives. (Richardson, 2008)

3. Digital footprints are the online trail
we leave, for good or for bad. There
is no escaping them. We can only
embrace them, be aware of them, and
do everything in our power to ensure
they shed us in the best light possible.
The following slides are ten ways that
I plan to ensure that my digital
footprint shows me in a positive,
professional manner.

4. By creating a professional blog, I will be
showcasing some of the most important
attributes of an educator and technologist.
These could include research based writing,
products and lessons.
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5. In order to begin to make my name known
amongst other professionals, I will respond to
and participate in discussions to existing blogs.
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6. I have created a Facebook account that is to be
used for presenting me as a professional and
credible source for information on educational
technology. In addition to professional posts, I
will include some personal experiences and posts
as encourages by Clay Shirky in his book (2008).
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7. The power of twitter makes it impossible to
ignore. My goal is to be notices by other
educators and to be involved in a network of
educators who are leaders in the current
educational atmosphere. I plan to use Twitter as
the springboard for this goal.
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8. I have dabbled in using Livebinders, Diigo, and
other resource sharing sites for my personal use.
However, I would like to use these tools in order
to share my resources with other educators.
Part of creating a positive digital footprint is
sharing resources and information (Richardson,
2008).
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9. Using my real name has more than one benefit.
First, it makes it so others can find me online.
Second, it makes me think twice before posting,
as I know it will be traced back to me. Third, I
feel like using my real name gives me more
credibility because I am placing my identity
behind the post rather than using an anonymous
screen name.
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10. I will make all of my professional accounts
public, therefore making them searchable and
accessible for all to see. Twitter, Word Press and
many other sites are searchable using Google
(Yousuf, 2010). By posting professional, credible
information I will be creating a positive footprint
that can be found by those using a search
engine.
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11. While posting, tweeting, blogging and
participating in discussions, I will always ensure
that what I write is thoughtful and professional.
I will refrain from posting frivolous or off-topic
posts that distract from the professional image I
am seeking to create.
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12. I will always seek to ensure that my writing and
discussions are constructive and positive. I will
refrain from responding to, or creating,
inflammatory remarks. This helps to create a
digital footprint that is respected and credible.
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13. In order to ensure that I am always maintaining
a positive reputation, it is essential that I am
always seeking to learn about new resource and
finding opportunities to share this information.
Webinars and other online professional
development opportunities will provide a me
with the necessary information to remain up-to-
date.
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14. Richardson, W. (2008). Footprints in the digital age. Educational
Leadership, 66(3), 16–19. Retrieved from
www.ascd.org/publications/educational-
leadership/nov08/vol66/num03/Footprints-in-the-Digital-Age.aspx
Prensky, M. (2008). Turning on the lights. Educational Leadership, 65(6),
40–45. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-
leadership/mar08/vol65/num06/Turning-On-the-Lights.aspx
Yousuf, H. (2010, April 14) .Google and library of congress archive
tweets. Retrieved from
http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/14/technology/Google_Twitter_archiv
e/
Shirky, C. (2008). Here comes everybody: The power of organizing
without organizations. New York: Penguin Press.
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