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#16

Professional Digital Presence

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Work Order — Lesson #16
Stage Time Purpose & Activity Instructor Notes
Kick-Off 2-3 min Prompt: "When someone searches your name online, what do you want them to find?" Guide a short discussion on digital reputation. Emphasize that online content builds a lasting professional image.
Core Concepts 5-7 min Teach four key ideas: Digital Footprint, Professional Tone, Platform Presence, Privacy Awareness. Use anonymized profile examples to compare unprofessional vs. professional tone and structure. Show sample bios or profile screenshots (blur names). Ask which looks "hire-ready" and why.
Guided Work Time 12-15 min Tier 1: "Digital Clean-Up Challenge" — Students review their Schoology or shared drive profile and make one small improvement (rename file, update photo, edit bio). Tier 2: "Online Presence Audit" — Students evaluate one public or semi-public profile (LinkedIn, shared drive, or class portfolio) using a 4-point checklist. Make one concrete update during class. Ensure students stay within approved school platforms. Encourage practical, visible updates. Reinforce "small, real change" over idealized goals.
Reflection / Exit Ticket 2-3 min Prompt: "Write one small, realistic action you will take this week to strengthen your online image." Examples: update bio, change profile photo, delete outdated post, or rename shared files. Have students upload their reflection or a screenshot of their completed update to Schoology or the shared drive's "Digital Presence Reflection" folder.

Objectives

  • Define what makes an online presence professional.
  • Identify and improve one element of their digital footprint.
  • Apply tone, consistency, and organization across digital platforms.

Implementation Notes

  • Students will work within existing platforms (Schoology, shared drive, or portfolio folders).
  • Encourage before/after comparisons for visible improvement.
  • For Tier 2, consider a brief peer check for tone and clarity.
  • Students will not create new profiles but refine existing ones (Schoology, shared drive, portfolio).
  • Focus feedback on authentic, small improvements, not perfection.
  • Connect this to previous WBL lessons (#14 Email Etiquette, #15 File Organization) as part of a continuous “Digital Professionalism” thread.

Key Term Reinforcement

  • Digital Footprint: All traces of your activity online.
  • Professional Tone: How your words, images, and layout reflect your goals.
  • Privacy Settings: Controls over who sees your information.
  • Online Presence: The combined impression your digital materials make.