The Slendermen are coming! And they bring digital literacy!

Well, this week in GECHS we learned about a lot of stuff, for instance digital literacy, being courteous and respectful online, even how to edit photos! It was loads of fun, but what else do you expect from a place like GECHS?

New vocab:

Reputation: how the general public perceives you.

Persist: to continue, endure.

Context: different factors around the photo that help determine its meaning.

First off, digital literacy: it’s how we act online. We have all acted like someone we're not, whether online or in person. It just happens, whether it was a white lie about being busy, or a huge lie, as in taking credit for someone else's work. But think before you do, because you wouldn't want folks starting rumors or posting embarrassing photos of you, so why do it to others? For example, take this photo of some guy dressing up like a slender man, now look at the edited ones. See how a few words can change someone’s reputation or hurt others feelings?

 this photo is the "stock" photo, 2012

 the negative one, edited by me 9/21/2012

the positive one, edited by me 9/21/2012

In case you were wondering, the photos I used were obtained from Flickrcc, a cool open source photo site. The edited photos were edited using piZap, a cool site that lets you edit your photos in browser. Did I mention it’s free? You don’t even have to sign up! Check it out along with a few other sites here

We also went over this program called digital drivers license, which is pretty much a crash course guide to online safety. Personally, I think it was pretty easy, but then again we are only on middle school level lessons. But I need the points, so no arguing here!

I for one don’t do this often, seeing as I’m almost always offline. But I will admit to being a jerk to people at times, and ESPECIALLY commenting on stuff with a less than positive attitude. But after seeing that it hurts others and some people actually get really hung up over a few words I have decided not to be so negative.

This week I have learned a lot, from digital literacy, to how to edit photos. All in all it was a pretty good week, but I can’t wait to go home and try out some of those editing sites!