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.
Special Call
Network Portraits
Given that a village isn't really a village without the people who live in it, is there a person in the network that we should absolutely discover because they embody college life? Tell us about their ideas, stories or teaching practices in a short text (200 words maximum) that attests to the fact that the college network is a vibrant living and learning environment rich in its people.
Avenues for reflection on this theme
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If we think of the college environment as a large village (open to the world, of course), what are the essential pedagogical services or the services fostering community life that we absolutely must know about? What do CEGEPs and colleges have to offer that we might have forgotten or neglected to bring to the forefront in recent years?
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Colleges are a living and learning environment where socio-cultural, community and sports activities abound. Have you recently designed and tested a sociocultural or sports activity that bridges the gap with the classroom? Or have you taken part in a community-based pedagogical project in collaboration with a teacher? How can we contribute to the education of students while making the institution a cultural hub for our region and a key player in our community?
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Research at the college level enriches our understanding of an ever-changing teaching environment. It often transcends disciplinary and professional boundaries and gives back to the community. What research is being done to better understand the college teaching environment? Are there applied research activities conducted within college technology transfer centres that need to be disseminated?
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Student success is a central concern in higher education and is everyone's business. So how can we contribute to the development of the full potential of individuals evolving in CEGEPs? Have there been any recent initiatives in the college system to support student success? Have there been any initiatives aimed more specifically at the professional development of teaching staff, professionals or managers? What are the active communities of practice that make the college system a vibrant, continuous learning environment?
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With the retirement of baby boomers, several new teachers have entered the profession in recent years. What resources are available to them to facilitate their professional integration into a demanding and complex environment? Have you launched a new approach to facilitate entry and adaptation in higher education?
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It is difficult to completely ignore the pandemic. As we now know, it has had an impact on the atmosphere and on college life. How can we take advantage of what we have learned over the past few years to celebrate college life in person and at a distance? Is the reconciliation of the two worlds possible and desirable? And if so, how can this be done harmoniously?
Does this theme appeal to you?
Submit an article to the Pédagogie collégiale editorial committee before January 9, 2023.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the journal’s editor-in-chief, Anne-Marie Paquette.
