What digital traces do we leave?

The tracking module in CoTinker explores the digital traces we leave on the internet. At first glance, the activity appears to focus on critiquing a website design commissioned by a company, which students explore within CoTinker. The first half concentrates on design criticism of this website and provides an excellent opportunity to review design theory including Donald Norman’s principles, target audience analysis, color theory, and more.

The second half, unlocked with a password (snydt123), reveals that the module actually focuses on internet data tracking. While students have been navigating the website to provide design criticism, CoTinker has been collecting extensive data about them, which is then presented to students through various visualizations with explanations.

Students are asked to complete a series of tasks and discuss and reflect on the use of data tracking on the internet.

The module addresses core curriculum areas including “It sikkerhed og Arkitektur” and “Design af hjemmesider” as well as the competency area “Digital Myndiggørelse”.