The Invisible Suitcase

Students live in an online world that centers around likes and views. They exit these platforms and reenter the nondigital world, but as they pause their digital lives, they also leave large digital footprints that never go away. These footprints follow students like a dark shadow. They cram this shadow of the online world into their invisible suitcases pushed tightly against the problems they encounter in the nondigital world and leave for school. Every day, these students walk into classrooms around the world, tuck their suitcases under their desks, and wait for class to begin. So the challenge begins for teachers who stand ready to teach and lead their students, working to not only overcome the distracting shadows that are creeping out of the suitcases and into the room but also search for a way to build trust, engage students, and help students realize their potential.