I’m energised on this topic of “digital footprints” and the opportunities in Lutheran education to develop them with our students – because I’m finding my thoughts about the importance of this concept being confirmed by others. This today from Dean Shareski’s “Ideas and Thoughts” blog:
“While the business world calls it ‘personal branding’ the term ‘digital citizenship’ or ‘digital footprint’ is the synomous term in education. The idea of students developing their ‘brand’ or identity is a burgeoning concept in education.”
The reference here, and in most of the writings I’m finding currently, are to digital footprints in a secular sense. I think there’s great opportunities in Lutheran schools for making the connection between branding and baptism. That’s a key difference between the worldview and the Christian view. The world says, “Develop your brand. Make yourself stand out. Be yourself.” The Gospel says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:23-25
In Baptism our old, sinful self is drowned and dies with Christ in order to rise with him to a new life lived in service to Him and for His glory – rather than for the self and personal glory. That calls for a dramatically different type of “branding” to teach students from what the world teaches.
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27 October, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Dean Shareski
I hadn’t thought about that before. As a Christ follower, I totally agree with your interpretation of scripture.
I’m wondering if these two ideas have to be mutually exclusive? Can we “let our light shine” and “deny ourselves”?
So where do we go from here?
28 October, 2008 at 2:34 am
Tim
There are great benefits to society and opportunities for schools – public, private, and parochial – if educators choose to work with students to leave digital footprints that honour their personal values and promote the general good. Students will leave digital footprints whether we choose to walk with them or not, or to be a part of the developmental process that shapes how they leave their mark, or not.
That “mark” is a reflection of what’s inside each of us. Considered in a secular sense, it’s the civic values we desire all of our students to internalise so that their outward behaviour contributes to the good of the community whether online or offline. From a Christian perspective, what’s inside is Christ. To answer your question, it’s His light that shines through us so that the world may know Him. Martin Luther talked about all of us being God’s masks… that the identity we gain through baptism (replacing the “old Adam” – denying the sinful desires) is His identity shown to the world through our daily lives at home and at work.
The objective is the same for Christian and non-Christian students – that they might be positively contributing digital citizens and true reflections of the values they hold. The motivation is different.
I’m still working on your last question – so where do we go from here? What I do know is we won’t go anywhere if we don’t venture into the Web 2.0 world with our students and just hope they’ll figure out life online outside of school hours.