Again this year, Polytechnique was faithful to precedent, offering participants a program of exciting and wide-ranging talks given by high-calibre experts. Exchanges and thoughts on Polytechnique's educational achievements and concerns were at the forefront. 

Christophe Guy, Polytechnique Montréal's Chief Executive Officer, kicked off this promising day by introducing the central theme of active pedagogy, aimed at enhancing students' level of commitment to learning. "This theme is perfectly aligned with our aim of guiding bachelor's and graduate students in their engineering training so that they can develop and acquire a set of skills and qualities essential to their future careers," Mr. Guy stated before giving the podium to the opening speaker, who elaborated on the same topic.

Eann Patterson, holder of the A. A. Griffith Chair of Structural Materials and Mechanics at the University of Liverpool and professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, broke the ice with a speech titled "Engaging students through their everyday experiences." This humorous interactive talk set forth the idea that using tangible examples drawn from students' everyday lives to support the teaching of engineering principles raises the effectiveness of teaching and the level of students' commitment to learning.

Participants then split into three workshops. Patrice Farand and Patrick Desjardins, respectively lecturer and professor in Polytechnique's Department of Engineering Physics, dealt with the various teaching approaches that can be used in classes in addition to lectures.

Yves Boudreault, professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Polytechnique, spoke about the 12 qualities that will be required by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board starting in 2014, specifying the impacts this could have.

Again on the theme of active pedagogy, Polytechnique's Guy Cloutier, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, presented the peer-evaluation tool (evaluation of or by peers) used in some courses and related areas.


 
The afternoon opened with a speech by Richard Prégent, a pedagogical advisor and former Director of the Pedagogical Support Office at Polytechnique, dealing with the five conditions for ensuring the vitality of a strong teaching culture at universities. "An organization's culture has a strong impact on its overall productivity," he said. "By way of analogy, I believe it is logical to state that the vitality of a 'teaching culture' within each university institution also has a strong influence on the quality of student training." On this subject, his talk was drawn from an analysis of Polytechnique's situation and of overall comparisons with other university networks.


Next, it was the turn of Pierre Léger, professor in the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, to say a few words on earning his award of excellence in teaching, which was presented June 4 at the convocation ceremony at St. Joseph's Oratory.

There followed two panels intended to stir debate. One panel looked into recruitment and selection of graduate students, a major concern for Polytechnique. Chantal Cantin, Director of the Communications and Recruitment Service, Frédéric Sirois, professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Daniel Therriault, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Maria Helena Leite, full professor in the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, were on hand to discuss the issues raised.

The second panel dealt with evaluation of work conducted in teams. Should evaluation focus on the individual or the team? Should it look more at the teaching process or at the results? What are the advantages and limits in evaluating teamwork? What are the impacts and issues related to it? Various issues were examined by the four panellists: Charles Dubois, professor and Head of the Undergraduate Program Committee in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Sanda Koboevic, professor in the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Renée-Pascale Laberge, lecturer and Co-ordinator of the Personal Relational Skills Unit in the Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering, and Martin Trépanier, professor and Head of the Undergraduate Program in the same department.

Lina Forest, Director of the Pedagogical Support Office, said she was very pleased by the turnout. "We are seeing a slight increase each year compared to the previous year, and this shows growing support for the event."

Many thanks to the speakers and to all the participants! See you again next year!