SCHOOL CULTURE AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT IN THE DIGITAL AGE: VALUES, IDENTITY, AND LEARNING ECOSYSTEMS
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The rapid expansion of digital technology has profoundly transformed the environment in which students grow, learn, and build their identities. Schools, once seen as central institutions for socialization and the transmission of values, now operate in much broader and more complex ecosystems, which include online platforms, social networks, and digital learning environments. This study analyzes the intersections between school culture, student development, and digital ecosystems, especially highlighting the role of values, identity, and institutional climate in defining educational outcomes. Based on a reflective qualitative approach and thematic analysis, the study uses peer-reviewed literature, institutional reports, and theoretical models from educational psychology, developmental science, and digital pedagogy published between 2015 and 2025. The results point to five central themes: the influence of school culture on student engagement; the processes of digital identity formation among adolescents; the impacts of digital environments on academic performance; the role of values and institutional climate in character formation; and the integration between physical and digital learning ecosystems. The discussion interprets these conclusions through the tripartite framework of Veritas (Truth), Ratio (Reason), and Missio (Mission), arguing that schools need to rethink their cultural and pedagogical frameworks to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the digital age. The study concludes with practical recommendations for administrators, educators, and policymakers, aiming to build coherent educational communities, guided by values and adapted to the demands of the digital world.
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