Digital Footprint Lesson Plan Post With Purpose
Lesson Plan: Build Your Digital Reputation
10th Grade
30 Minutes • Single Session
Why This Matters
Understanding and managing your digital reputation is crucial for future opportunities, from college admissions to job applications. This lesson empowers students to take control of their online narrative, transforming a passive "footprint" into an active "brand."
Learning Objective
Students will audit their digital footprint and draft a three-sentence strengths-based bio plus one positive post plan aligned to personal goals.
Teacher Prep
• Review lesson plan and all linked materials.
• Set up projector for Post With Purpose Slides .
• Print Footprint Audit and Bio Builder worksheets.
• Prepare Exit Ticket slips for the end of class.
Time: 15 Minutes Prep
Instructional Sequence
1
5 MIN
Do Now: Where Would a Future Employer Find You?
Display the 'Do Now' slide from the slide deck.
Ask students to quietly reflect on where a future employer or college admissions officer might find them online.
Facilitate a brief, anonymous discussion about platforms (social media, gaming, etc.) without revealing personal handles.
2
10 MIN
Teach: Digital Identity Essentials
Use Post With Purpose Slides to introduce:
Digital Footprint: What it is and why it's permanent.Personal Branding: Intentionally shaping your online story.Privacy Settings: Acting as your "digital shield."
3
5 MIN
Footprint Audit & Privacy Check
Distribute the Footprint Audit and Privacy Check Worksheet .
Students complete the audit independently, reflecting on current presence.
Guide students to identify one specific privacy setting they can adjust today.
4
8 MIN
Bio Builder & Peer Feedback
Distribute Strengths-to-Bio Builder Activity .
Students draft a 3-sentence strengths-based bio and one positive post plan.
Facilitate peer feedback using the Peer Feedback Protocol in pairs.
5
2 MIN
Exit: My One Post Commitment
Students complete Exit Ticket: My One Post Cool-Down .
Students commit to one specific post they will publish or schedule.
Lesson Plan Slide Deck Audit Worksheet Bio Activity Feedback Guide Exit Ticket
Post With Purpose Slides 10th Grade Professional Development
Post With Purpose
Build Your Digital Reputation
Teacher Notes: Welcome students and introduce the day's 'Do Now' activity. Explain that today's lesson is about taking control of their online story.
Do Now
Future You is Watching!
Where might a future employer or college admissions officer find you online?
What might they see?
Teacher Notes: Prompt students to think about who might look them up online and what they might find. Emphasize that this is a private reflection for now.
Digital Footprint
Every action, interaction, and data point you leave online.
It's like your online shadow – permanent and traceable.
Includes posts, comments, photos, visits, and more.
Teacher Notes: Define 'digital footprint' clearly. Use an analogy if helpful, like breadcrumbs or a trail you leave behind online. Discuss both intentional and unintentional parts of their footprint.
Personal Branding
Your reputation is what people think of you.
Intentionality
How you want to be seen professionally and personally.
Action
Being deliberate with every piece of content you share.
Teacher Notes: Explain 'personal branding' as intentionally shaping how others perceive you online. Contrast it with an accidental footprint. Connect this to their goals.
Privacy: Your Digital Shield
Control Viewers
Choose exactly who sees your posts and profile info.
Regular Audits
Update settings frequently—platforms change their rules!
Think Twice
"Who can see this? How might it be interpreted?"
Teacher Notes: Discuss privacy settings on various platforms. Stress that these are powerful tools for controlling their digital footprint. Encourage students to think critically about who they want to share what with.
The Power Bio
A short, impactful paragraph that showcases your skills, passions, and goals.
The Formula: 3 Sentences
1. Who are you & what do you love?
2. What can you actually do?
3. Where are you going next?
Example
"I am a high school sophomore passionate about community building and graphic design. Through my work with the local youth council, I've developed leadership skills and mastered Adobe Creative Suite to promote local events. I aim to study digital media in college and help nonprofits tell their stories online."
Footprint Audit Worksheet Digital Footprint Audit
Reputation Management & Privacy Check
NAME:
DATE:
Instructions: Think about your online presence. Where do you exist online, and what kind of information is out there about you? Complete this audit honestly; this is for your own personal growth.
1
Digital Inventory
List 3-5 social media platforms, gaming networks, or websites you actively use or have used in the past.
2
Content Type
For the platforms above, what kind of content do you typically post (e.g., photos, comments, reposts, videos)?
3
The "Wins"
What are three positive things a future employer would find if they searched for you today?
4
The "Risks"
What are three things they might find that you would prefer they not see, or that you want to change?
Part 2: Privacy Shield
5
One Immediate Change
Identify one specific privacy setting on a platform you use regularly that you could adjust to better control your footprint (e.g., 'Review tagged photos', 'Private account', etc.).
6
Impact Statement
Why is this particular privacy setting important to your digital reputation?
Pro Tip: If you wouldn't say it in a job interview, don't post it.
Strengths-to-Bio Activity Bio Builder
Strengths-Based Personal Branding
STUDENT:
DATE:
PART 1
Discover Your Strengths
Skills & Talents (e.g., coding, leadership, public speaking, creativity)
Passions & Interests (e.g., environment, volunteering, gaming, arts)
Goals & Aspirations (e.g., start a business, attend college, make an impact)
PART 2
The 3-Sentence Draft
Sentence 1: The Intro
Introduce yourself and one key strength or passion.
Sentence 2: The Proof
Describe an experience or skill that demonstrates this strength.
Sentence 3: The Future
Mention your future aspirations or how you plan to use these strengths.
PART 3
Positive Post Blueprint
Platform
Main Message
Visual Content (Describe image/video)
Caption Draft (Include hashtags!)
Peer Feedback Protocol Discussion Peer Feedback Protocol
Refining Your Reputation
"Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room. Let's make sure it's what you want."
The Process
Pair Up: Find a partner or join a group of three.Present: Share your 3-sentence bio and post plan.Listen: Partners listen actively and read along.Respond: Provide feedback using the guidelines below.
Goal of Feedback
The goal is to help your partner present their strongest, most authentic self. Be honest, be kind, and be specific.
Phase 1: Praise
What did you find particularly strong or effective?
Focus on: Clarity, positive tone, unique strengths mentioned, or professional vibe.
Phase 2: Suggest
Offer one specific, actionable suggestion for improvement.
Focus on: Word choice, grammar, making a goal more specific, or post alignment.
Impact Check: "Could you use a more active verb like 'managed' or 'created'?"
Clarity Check: "I wasn't sure what you meant by [X]. Could you explain that more?"
Final Step: Reflect on the feedback you received. What will you change?
Exit Ticket: My One Post Cool-Down Exit Ticket
MY ONE POST
Digital Reputation Commitment
Name
Date
The Post
Write down the one positive, goal-aligned post you will publish or schedule within the next week.
The Platform
The "Why"
Briefly explain how this post aligns with the positive reputation you want to build.
Take Control of Your Story
Hand in this ticket as you leave class.
POST WITH PURPOSE | 10TH GRADE
