Who Are You Online?
Post date: Mar 15, 2017 5:24:45 PM
Essential Question
How do you present yourself to the world online and offline?
Learning Objectives Students will be able to ...
reflect on the similarities and differences in how people represent themselves online and offline.
understand that they might choose to show different parts of themselves online, depending on context and audience.
consider the risks and benefits of assuming different personas online, and think critically about what it means to be genuine in an online context.
Key Vocabulary
represent: to depict yourself to others as being a certain way or having particular characteristics persona: an image and personality that you show to others
avatar: a graphic image that represents a person online
anonymous: without a name or other information that identifies who you are
inhibited: careful or restrained about your actions or impulses
Exploring Avatars:We will evaluate a slide show that will illustrate how people represent themselves onlineThe slideshow features photos of real people alongside images of the avatars they use in virtual worlds.
Avatars can be based entirely on the game character. A person may create themselves or opt to create something different. It's important to understand that there is nothing right or wrong about being different. The avatar could be a fictional persona created for fun, it could be modeled after the real person but limited to protect their identity. It could just be an image of what looks cool to the user.
Non-human avatars aside, Notice Avatars could be different body types, ages, ethnicity and even gender.
Being "Real or "Fake" Online
What do you think it means to be "Real" or "Fake"? Given what we know about avatars, is it easy for people to be "fake" on a line than it is to be "fake" in real life?
Ramon talks about how some people exaggerate or seem very different online than in person. How do you explain these differences between their online and in-person personas?Are there risks for creating an online presence that is very different than the offline one? Are there benefits?What are other reasons people might feel they can act in ways online that they wouldn’t offline?Good and the bad of Anonymous and inhibitedLet's talk about the idea that people may feel less inhibited when they are online. This is especially true if they are anonymous or are interacting with people who don’t know them offline. (Even when they know the people, it’s easy for people to feel anonymous when they are online because they are alone with their computer or phone.) People might feel free to invent new personas online, or they might change particular parts of themselves. Think of the risks and benefits involved in being anonymous or feeling less inhibited online.
Are there any benefits to being anonymous or being less inhibited online?
Are there risks involved with being anonymous or less inhibited online?
Staying Real Online.
Present yourself in a way that’s positive and not harmful to you.
Treat people the way you would treat them in person.
Don’t say or do things that harm other people or betray their trust.
Never get into a relationship that is not safe.
Avoid getting involved in a community that is not appropriate.
Closing:
How does your persona change depending on the context, online and offline?
Describe some of the similarities and differences between their various online and offline selves.
What are the benefits of and problems with being anonymous or less inhibited online?
Open the "Who Are We Online?" PDF in DocHub and Finish for homework.