Portrait of a Digitally Well Graduate

Let’s begin with the end in mind. What does a digitally well graduate at your school look like? What community needs, skills, and understanding do they require to navigate technology wisely beyond the safety of your campus?

We posed this question to a group of Vancouver-based educators this spring, and this is the portrait they painted:

1. Self-Regulation and Mastery: Students exhibit self-control in device usage, balancing productivity and leisure without succumbing to distractions.


2. Tech Proficiency and Boundaries: They demonstrate advanced skills in device usage, leveraging settings to enhance efficiency while maintaining boundaries to preserve real-life interactions and enjoyment.


3. Life Skills Development: Mastery over technology isn't just about campus life; it's crucial for navigating post-school phases, emphasizing intentional use and presence.


4. Personal Growth and Wellness: Graduates possess self-awareness, setting boundaries, recognizing passions, and using technology as a tool rather than being controlled by it. They prioritize wellness and downtime and appreciate alternatives to constant tech engagement.


5. Community and Support: Kids require engaged adults who value their presence over tech distractions, encourage constructive activities, set up accountable spaces for technology use, and promote and model healthy device habits, such as a digital charging station at home for better sleep hygiene.

As we expand our work to more colleges and high schools this fall, we’re beginning with the end in mind: developing and delivering holistic staff, student and parent education to schools throughout North America.

What would you add to this list?