Educators are asked to fill a very large role in society. They are expected to be leaders, caring, diplomatic, and intelligent. However, there are also unspoken expectations as well. Teachers are expected to please many people simultaneously, despite what they think is best. Teachers often live in fear of backlash from their communities for advocating social justice. However, I believe that teachers have a responsibility to be advocates of social change.

Active Citizenship in Digital Spaces as a Teacher

Teachers are notorious for inspiring social change and advocating for various movements. They often do the majority of their activism in the classroom like this Baltimore teacher:

As the world becomes more digitally inclined, I believe that it is necessary for teachers to move their activism into online spaces as well as the classroom.

Digital activism is becoming the new form of activism in the world. For this reason and since a teacher’s primary role is to be an advocate of social change, I think it makes sense that teachers take part in digital movements.

Risks of Remaining Silent in Digital Spaces

One thing I have learnt in my EDTC 300 class is that if you do not take charge in shaping your digital identity, it is easier for people to make inaccurate assumptions of your character. One of the major risks of remaining silent in regards to activism in digital spaces is that people can assume you do not care about relevant issues.

Benefits of Remaining Silent in Digital Spaces

One of the biggest benefits to remaining silent online and not posting anything related to relevant and political issues is that you do not receive backlash from your community.