The Social Institute: Life Skills for the Modern World

The Social Institute is an online learning platform that leads students and teachers through gamified lessons that reinforce character strengths like empathy, integrity, and teamwork while using the framework of social media and technology. Lessons focus on student wellbeing and allow students and faculty to discuss topics such as presenting the best version of yourself online, using online platforms to be a positive force in the world, protecting your privacy, balancing your digital life with real life, and handling the pressure that students face. 

 

The Social Institute is used monthly in sponsor groups or homerooms and also used throughout the year during Freshmen Foundations, Sophomore Seminar, and Junior and Senior Leadership classes. These lessons allow students and teachers in small, trusting groups to have honest conversations about the pressure of student life and the impact of technology on students. Each lesson generates essential feedback for the school on how students interact with the topic and areas where they may struggle. This data has helped to inform future sessions and has helped share important insight into the students’ digital experience and emotional response to that experience.