Words that define your online presence

I told you this blog was one to follow, and have your students follow as well. The TOK blog (Theory of Knowledge) is up and running and the kids are already posting stuff that I’m bookmarking left and right.

Take this as an example. Sou an 11th Grader who gives suggestions for how to handle your online presence.

With all this in mind, how would one go about creating those words that define their online presence? Those that have no problem at all with the idea need not read on, but I’ve compiled a few quick pointers to help out my kindred souls (I know you’re out there, I’m not all that eccentric..).

1. RESPECT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. This is something just as important as it is obvious. Netspeak and 13375p34k can discredit even the most brilliant of blog postings, not to mention it opens the door to unnecessary comments about how there’s no ‘z’ in ‘please’.
2. Avoid sweeping generalizations. Of course, this should be absolutely no problem at all, considering we’ve covered it in the ToK classroom. If there’s one sweeping generalization that may be true, it’s that there are always exceptions. And even that one probably has an exception, too.
3. Don’t complain. Unless you’re at some website made specifically for the purpose, people don’t particularly care about your latest ex or the pet dog that just died. Furthermore, there will inevitably be somebody out there that has it much, much worse than you do, and will not hesitate to rip into you for it.
4. Don’t lose your temper. Should somebody post a scathing comment despite all your precautions, the worst thing you can do is flip out. Remember that everybody can see your retort, and there’s no glory in being baited by an uppity visitor. If it’s a baseless insult, ignore it. If it’s a legitimate critique, handle it objectively.
5. Chill out. This is one that I need to put into practice more often. I admit I’m far too paranoid when it comes to what I’m putting out for public viewing. The truth is that as long as you’re sub-celebrity-status, you’re still considered a mere mortal, prone to mistakes like everybody else. So don’t worry so much– it takes all the fun out of blogging.

WOW…5 simple rules for high schools in understanding posting online content from a high schooler. Again..this blog is just starting. It’s only going to get better from here.

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