Episode 2 – First steps with high school students: 5 workshops to decode digital challenges

By Vincent Loiseau

Introduction

After a 2024 dedicated to learning — filled with training, reading, and certifications on digital sustainability — 2025 marks for me the shift toward real-world action.

In this series of articles, I’ll take you behind the scenes of an inspiring project carried out at the Jeanne d’Arc institution (Gex/Cessy), where both students and teachers engaged with key topics such as:

• the environmental impact of digital technology,
• the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence,
• and the influence of social media.

My goal: to share feedback from the field, the educational methods we implemented, the insightful questions raised by the students, and — I hope — to inspire other schools, professionals, and curious minds to launch similar initiatives. Let’s dive in!

Earlier article in the “Sustainable IT in Education” series :

• Episode 1 – When teachers commit to more sustainable IT practices

Episode 2 – First steps with high school students: 5 workshops to decode digital challenges

After leading a conference for the teachers of Jeanne d’Arc middle school, I was thrilled to see the project expand to the high school!

Thanks to the initiative of Madame De Courville, pastoral coordinator at the Jeanne d’Arc institution, this new chapter began at the high school. She honored me with the invitation to lead a series of awareness workshops on responsible digital use for the students — an opportunity I accepted with great enthusiasm… and a touch of nervous excitement!

Several themes were offered to the students. To my delight, responsible digital practices came out on top of their preferences. A clear mission was set: I had to live up to their expectations!

Together with Madame Bernard De Courville, we designed a flexible program: five 1-hour workshops for a pilot group of 12 tenth-grade students (15–16 years old). The educational journey included three core topics, enriched by two optional ones selected by the students at the start of the second session.

The selected topics were:

• What is digital technology, and what is its environmental impact?
• Who are the main contributors to this impact?
• Can digital technology help solve the climate crisis?
• Artificial intelligence: between promises, impacts, and ethical dilemmas
• Social media: its footprint on the environment and our behaviors

On Monday, April 14, we wrapped up the fifth and final workshop with this pilot group. How did I feel? Deeply fulfilled. I was blown away by their energy, curiosity, and thoughtful exchanges. The students raised questions that were profound, at times challenging, and always thought-provoking. Their engagement was clear; their perspective, often refreshingly lucid.

It was with genuine joy that I confirmed to Madame Bernard De Courville my desire to “”continue the initiative with a new group** after the spring break.

A heartfelt thank-you to SoKube, whose support allows me to spread awareness beyond the company walls. Having the opportunity to act on the ground and plant seeds of change is truly meaningful.

To be continued… 😉