Week One

Return to Weekly Schedule

My 'self' in digital spaces

This first week is about becoming familiar with each other and all the digital spaces for this course. Explore. Get a feel for the landscape. Look for connections. Orient and introduce yourself.

Think about how your digital 'self' will be shared with others in this course. Connect to show your digital self. How will the virtual you be shared with others in this course or when you are a teacher?

---

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
 * express your interests and relevant background knowledge using a variety of digital tools (survey, discussion, images)
 * tell about your self, your interests, your perspectives in written and graphic formats (in your 'selfie' story)
 * produce and share a 'selfie story' using Google slides to demonstrate fluency with this collaborative digital tool
*  identify issues and opportunities when applying a 'selfie' activity to classroom teaching and learning e.g. global action of selfless story
 * explain how you can address issues of safety, security, and privacy when using digital communication technologies in the classroom
 * locate and make reference to course information in D2L and on the course website

Getting Started

Begin by reading about the impact of selfies on our sense of identity and how this media phenomenon can be applied to the classroom. Think critically about what our selfies show or hide about our digital identities. Compare your digital self as a student to an image of digital learners. The discussion this week will illuminate issues of ethics and bias when it comes to personal and classroom use of selfies.

You will create a 'selfie' story to share. You will create a 5 photo story about yourself in a Google Presentation. The link from your Google presentation will be shared as part of your introduction. You will have a chance to explore the 'selfie stories' of others. This will help each of us become connected and learn about each other. This will also help build connections for the upcoming group selections. It will enhance collaboration in digital spaces and activate our social presence in the course. ​

But before you run out to take your selfies, watch this video by Jonathan Worth. We'll build one connection to his story about Selfless Selfies. One of your selfies should include the intertwined fingers shown in this video.

While you do this activity, think about how this could be used in your classroom to impact change, promote social justice issues or heighten awareness for a cause. How can you ensure student privacy and safety is managed and maintained while exploring a Selfless Selfie activity with students?

---

Readings

• Know Thy Selfie. Mark C. Marino
• Infographic 

Connect to the TDSB page where this infographic is found. Compare this information to your own learning profile.

---

Infographic Resume https://flic.kr/p/kQcqA6

Activities

1. Create a 'selfie' story. Chose from the options found on Shelley Sanchez Terrell's page Back to School Selfie Adventure. Use a digital camera or cell phone to capture your face, hand, shoe, etc. in some of these 'selfie' options. Post your selfie adventure in a Google presentation and share the link in the D2L discussion forum along with your reflection.
2. Complete the 'getting to know you' survey in Google Forms. The link is also found in D2L. You need your university email user ID to access this survey.

---

Actions

• Introduce yourself and include the link to your 'selfie story'.
• Post in D2L discussion forum with a reflection about your selfies. 

​☻  What choices do you make to present yourself and what does this say about you e.g. clothing, pose, facial expression? 
☻  How does your selfie/do your selfies play off other selfie images created by your classmates? Where do they connect?
☻  Analyze the application of selfie activities from a teaching perspective with awareness of issues of safety, security and privacy in mind. How can you address the risks and rewards of using selfies in your classroom?

• Respond to two classmate's posts and two other's introductions to build connections to classmates
• privately submit choices for preference of group members based on interests or connections (done in D2L)

---

Investigate the use of Instagram in education. This article is a good research focused starting point - Embracing the selfie craze: Exploring the possible use of Instagram as a language mLearning tool.
How can teachers using this digital tool in the classroom? What are the risks and rewards? Do you personally use Instagram - if so, what critical digital insights can you share with classmates?

---