Although teachers have a decisive influence on students, they are not the only ones who participate in the development of their knowledge, skills and attitudes. The learning that takes place outside the classroom, in the teeming environment that is the college, is rich in experiences and encounters of all kinds for the student community.
Several people play a decisive role in their lives. Parents and friends, of course, but also certain professionals in the college network, in particular lab technicians in charge of practical work, adapted services counsellors, academic advisors, guidance counsellors and student life advisors. These resource people, who are in close contact with the student population, act concretely for the benefit of the community and contribute to making the college a welcoming and rallying environment.
Of course, all these front-line workers are at the heart of the college village. So are the communities that animate it and support the success of each student. We can think in particular of the pedagogical counselling teams (pedagogical and IT counsellors), the people responsible for professional integration and development, the college research teams, the college technology transfer centres, the various communities of practice and even those in charge of international activities.
The expression that it takes a village to raise a child may seem conventional, but the idea behind it is fundamental: school, education and teaching are built together, and at the college level, it takes an entire community to make educational success happen. So it is college life in all its many facets that the Pédagogie collégiale team wishes to celebrate with the 2023 thematic issue: It takes a village.
We are looking for articles presenting practices that can inspire members of the college community, that inspire reflection, exchange and discussion on key topics or issues, or that present research results allowing all members of the college network to intervene with the student community in a reflective and creative manner.