Once again this year, Polytechnique upheld its tradition of offering participants a diverse range of exciting lectures given by high-calibre experts. The day's discussions and exchanges centred on teaching-related accomplishments and concerns at Polytechnique.

Pierre G. Lafleur, Dean of Academic and International Affairs, gave the opening remarks at the event. Next, Professor Jacques Tardif of Université de Sherbrooke gave the day's first lecture, on the topic of the various schools of thought on Competency Assessment:  Logic, Issues, Challenges. To introduce the plenary lecture, a status report on competency-development-focused education was quickly provided in order to illustrate the many possible configurations. Following this, after specifying the meaning of the concept of competency, the talk addressed the logic of the development pathways common to competency-based programs and the effects of this logic on learning situations and evaluation practices.

Participants could then choose between two workshops and a plenary:

Good and Bad Teaching Practices, with Patrice Farand, faculty lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Olivier Gendreau, faculty lecturer in the Department of Computer and Software Engineering.

The State of International Affairs At Polytechnique, by Pierre G. Lafleur, Dean of Academic and International Affairs.

The three-point time allotment, a hindrance to teaching innovation, led by Michel Gagnon, professor in the Department of Computer and Software Engineering, with Yves Boudreault, Director of Undergraduate studies, Farida Cheriet, professor in the Department of Computer and Software Engineering, Raymond Desjardins, professor and head of the civil engineering program in the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Patrick Isac, faculty lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering, Renée-Pascale Laberge, faculty lecturer and head of undergraduate cours de service in the Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering, and Steven Chamberland, Director of the Department of Computer and Software Engineering.



The afternoon opened with a plenary talk by Simon Larose, professor at Université Laval, dealing with pedagogical renewal and the reform of high school mathematics programs and the effect of these two elements on teaching practices, learning atmosphere, students' academic motivation, and students' knowledge of mathematics.

Next, Daniel Therriault, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and winner of the 2012 Prix d'excellence en enseignement (award for excellence in teaching), addressed the participants. Professor Therriault will receive his award at the Polytechnique convocation on June 16, 2012.

Lastly, participants were offered two workshops:

How Can We Motivate Students? Teaching Variables vs. Socio-Demographic Variables, with Anastassis Kozanitis, academic advisor with the Bureau d'appui pédagogique (Teaching Support Centre).

Must We Teach Creativity? Led  by Pierre Baptiste, Director of the Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering, Jamal Chaouki, professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Réjean Plamondon, professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Jean-Claude Savard of J.C. Savard consultants.

Lina Forest, Director of the Bureau d'appui pédagogique, said she was very pleased with the interest participants showed in the lectures, plenary talks and workshops. A number of participants suggested that additional workshops be offered, among others on the topic of creativity.

Thanks to the speakers and to all the participants. We look forward to seeing you again next year!