University of Montreal // © UdeM
The techno tools for students
At UdeM, new technologies are used to increase or change the nature of the interaction between teachers and learners. Training of “support teachers” are even in place to hone their skills in ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and help them to see more clearly in the panorama of tools available to them available.
Clickers and WiFi available to students
Many technologies are already used for several years in the UdeM classrooms, starting with “clickers”. These are small remote controls that allow teachers to ask questions in real time to a large number of students who meet by clicking on the zapper. “This promotes interaction and completely changes the pedagogical relationship,” says André Laflamme, advisor and specialist in educational technology at UdeM.
Again, this is the interactivity that is widely promoted. Students and teachers must be able to react in real time. With the use of clickers, quizzes are popular. “Some quiz possible to obtain real participation points. This is the case for the course statistics Friday, for example. The students are on the look and nobody puts his Facebook updates during the session .. . “says the teacher.
In the classroom, all teachers offices are also equipped with a control panel that allows throwing objects or documents in the amphitheater. “In the course of children’s literature, are widely used cameras Document: just move the image below for it to be projected to the whole room This allows students to see more clearly.” Said Mary, lecturer.
Free WiFi on campus // © UdeM
Wifi is free and integrated across campus. Not to mention the common network Eduroam, the result of an inter-university agreement. It provides a secure wireless access to lnternet, staff and students of higher education and research institutions when traveling. “Users of a member institution of eduroam services have secure Internet access from all other member institutions, and this using their usual authentication of their own educational institution,” said Andre Laflamme.
online course on “StudiUM” Moodle to enhance teaching
Developed in 2011, is a StudiUM Moodle, that is to say, a digital environment learning available to the academic community.
“StudiUM is a virtual place where the teacher will place documents, organize forums and quizzes and use a variety of methods to techno to enrich the teaching of its course. This is a very versatile free software developed by teachers for teachers, “says Jean-Pierre Blondin, vice-president in charge of the online training at UdeM, which ensures that everyone uses this platform .
“hybrid courses” also emerged. These are some classes entirely online. Teachers UdeM are more likely to move in this direction. “This allows students to enjoy a more active and dense learning,” the Deputy Rector, who believes that this is the way of the future.
But doing an online course, is first understand the nature of its target audience. UdeM currently 22 courses online graduate. And for some sessions, an expository content is preferable to interactive content. “With adults, we can go to discussion forums widely argued, with many interactions. Regarding the first cycles, they generally prefer a solution that brings them to learn by heart, it secures “says André Laflamme.
StudiUM // © UdeM
“I, as a lecturer I use all the time StudiUM! You can submit articles or digitized voice memos to help our students. It is also possible to get them through online tests, “said Mary, who certifies that StudiUM does not replace the notes courses. “It just allows you to go further.”
Louise-Hélène Richard, Vice Dean in charge of digital strategy and development of online learning in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences UdeM has a clear idea on the issue. “Online courses must represent an educational opportunity to live in the student another experience that would not in class by providing a number of elements that enhance the learning environment.”
In order to develop online course quality, UdeM up elsewhere on experts, advisers technopedagogical, media designers. Nothing is left to chance
The main aim of the first French-language university in North America. Develop a variety of content and interactivity advocate. “The teacher should continue to have a face, a life he must be present. Having online course, this does not mean that the student will become passive and read during that parade on the Internet. Far from it,” says the Vice-Dean, who believes that the energy of the teacher is distributed differently but that does not go away.
About 80% of UdeM students have at least one full course StudiUM, some subjects lend themselves more than others. And not necessarily those we imagine. Daniel Matton, professor of biological sciences at the University of Montreal, had the audacity to offer an online course in practical laboratory work. “TP was constructed in 12 steps. With two students were tested to see if it well. Our final goal was working was that students everywhere can make the same analysis without necessarily do the same manipulation, but they live it through video, “said Genevieve Habel, coordinator of online learning in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the UdeM, proud to make available a manipulation to a student who does not necessarily have the equipment to carry his study. “By sharing the numerical results, a student in Benin or elsewhere achieves the same intellectual work that a student at UdeM.”
The portfolio: an academic Facebook
Another innovation on at UdeM: portfolio. It is currently in “pilot”, 1,200 students spread between nursing, education, science and veterinary medicine are in the process of appropriating the platform. “Unlike StudiUM on the portfolio, it is the student who is the architect of his space and not the teacher,” announces André Laflamme. Specifically, the portfolio is a learning space where students will be able to list all of his skills throughout his university studies. The ultimate goal is that it can provide a tangible record of his expertise after its formation. Students are free to share their data and make its portfolio available to people he chooses. It is a kind of academic Facebook.
“With logbooks provided by the tool portfolio, we try to move towards an approach based repository of skills. With portfolio, it is for example see how a student supports a particular patient and why he decided to act that way in that time, etc., “says Andre Laflamme, who believes that this should allow students to become practitioners more reflexive.
Ultimately, the idea is also to be able to allow a young graduate to go to an employer by submitting a portfolio to demonstrate that it has a particular competence. “We are close to opportunity: we build an academic network on which data sharing and where we open discussions,” joked Andre Laflamme
Flip teaching.
The class also reversed followers. Also called “flipped learning” or “flipped classroom”, this learning method is to work with the students in their theory. Once underway, they “do their homework” with prof. This completely reverses the traditional conception of education. The innovative concept was launched by Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams and taken up by Salman Khan (founder of the Khan Academy).
Flip teaching // © UdeM
At UdeM, this method is also practiced. “Students come to class and already know what they will do and what discussions will be launched on site. We are far from one-way transmission of knowledge, and that is our goal,” certifies Andre Laflamme.
Optimize the training of future teachers
If the place reserved for new technologies gradually transforms the relationship between students and teachers, this echoes the company conducted by UdeM in the training of future teachers. Instructional department of the Faculty of UdeM education, the study of the interaction between a teacher and a learner discipline is part of everyday life. The emerging educational devices therefore on the rise and nothing is left to chance to optimize the training of future teachers.
Last science laboratories and provision curriculum in 4 years
UdeM, teaching laboratories of Sciences (worth about a million dollars) are available to students to help them learn to teach science in actual and optimal conditions. “This is the same equipment we find in a good primary or secondary school. Few universities in Quebec have this kind of laboratories should take advantage,” joked Marcel Thouin, professor of science teaching owner the Faculty of Education at the University of Montreal
train the next // © UdeM
The will to train the next generation is very important at UdeM. In this context, the first cycle, several very sharp 4-year programs that combine theory and practice have been established. This quality vocational training offers nearly 700 hours of training in schools become a teacher in Quebec, this is strictly learns. “This is a very solid initial training during which students are well equipped. The system has existed for 50 years, it has been proven,” said Isabelle Montesinos-Gelet, professor in educational Department of the Faculty of Sciences of the Education of the University of Montreal, who regrets that the French system is a little groping in the field.
Encourage research and grants available
At UdeM, the encouragement of research is a priority, and the university is in the means. In North America, some teachers receive between $ 300,000 and $ 1 million in grants to carry out their research. “This allows us to pay salaries or provide scholarships to students. Here, research funding is a habit,” said Marcel Thouin, aware that some teachers are France career without any subsidies.
Each year, granting agencies offer grant programs to fund research. “Here the financing of research works on many competitions. The process of allocation of research funds is very transparent, it’s a big difference with France where volunteering is often king”, announces the didactic teacher, before adding that it is not uncommon for Quebec students finance their education by participating in research projects. “They are financed by training. It is extremely helpful for researchers and students.” Studying in Canada is also able to take advantage of the self-made man spirit peculiar to America.
The training of students in research is facilitated. “It really is important to us heart to put them in networks, to encourage them to write articles and publish” says Isabelle Montesino. Marcel Thouin agrees. For him, it is important that teachers are fading a little behind their protégés. “Sometimes at the end of their thesis, students ask me to be mentioned as the first author. I accept their proposal by reminding them that they are the first authors,” insisted the professor, who’s mission to students in value. “Me, my career is done!”
Training those who form
In teaching department of the UdeM , multiethnicity and multilingualism are taken very seriously given the multicultural context of Montreal. “We strive to train teachers who can work in this diverse society,” says Françoise Armand, professor in educational department, which works on the multi-ethnic education.
Connected to the world around him, the department has even designed a specific course to allophone students “Teaching French and linguistic diversity” (first cycle). “The idea is to create courses that meet the needs of future teachers taking into account the context of Montreal. Here, unlike France, we discuss everything. There is no societal taboos.”
1. It should not be confused MOOC Moodle: Moodle is the educational platform on which one can file online courses and MOOC, and more!
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