EDUCATION
You may not realize it, but Quebec universities play an important role in our daily lives. On many levels, our institutions significantly contribute to educating our youth, as well as preparing them for future success.
For example:
- The effects of bullying and intimidation experienced by secondary school students are very real. What factors have perpetuated or changed this type of behavior in the first three years of secondary school? Since 2005, a Quebec university professor has been studying various schools in the Quebec City area in an endeavour to answer these questions.
- Gambling is a high-risk activity popular among Quebec’s teenagers. Quebec university researchers have launched a program to help educate high school and CEGEP students about the risks associated with gambling. This program has the additional benefit of providing researchers with a better understanding of addictive behavior from the viewpoint of the teens themselves.
- Good preparation for beginning school depends more on factors in the environment a child grew up in than on hereditary factors, according to a study in which researchers at a Quebec university participated. After analyzing 840 twins, the scientists determined that the home environment explained 54% of the observed differences in the general skills needed to prepare well for school. Genetic factors appeared to be responsible for only 29% of the observed differences, while the remaining 17% came from environmental factors that were related to each child.
- In the gym, the schoolyard and the classroom, educational practices have improved greatly during the past two decades, thanks in part to the work of researchers in a physical education and phys ed career training research group. Their research has h ad direct impacts on the physical education programs in schools and has also helped to improve the practices of community workers and sports professionals.
- In Quebec, as elsewhere in the western world, training for new teachers is focusing more on practical issues. In this context, the role of experienced teachers who guide educators-in-training becomes very important. Two professors at a Quebec university have published an important book on coaching trainee teachers in schools.
- Aboriginal Perspectives on Education - A team of researchers from two Quebec universities, in collaboration with members of the James Bay Cree community, is working on an assessment of the current state of education in the Cree community to better understand its needs and aspirations.
- Based on research led by several Quebec university professors, a website aimed at counteracting the wave of school dropouts has been established. Moreover, since scholastic success is of prime concern for all parents, several Quebec university researchers have joined together to create an inter-university research and intervention centre (CRIRES) to focus on success in schools.
- For young Quebecers to succeed in society and in their careers, academic success is an essential stepping stone. But students with handicaps, learning difficulties and adaptation problems are often those who have the most difficulty obtaining a secondary school diploma. Research being conducted at a Quebec university is helping to identify factors to help these students academically thrive. The anticipated results will transform the school system to better meet the educational, psychoeducational and psychological needs of these students
- Rekindling high school students’ interest in science is the mission of a researcher at a Quebec university who believes that every individual should be equipped to think about the world and grasp its complexity. He holds that a minimum of cultural and scientific knowledge should be taught in school, as it is the only institution that has a formal education mandate and that reaches all students. A research centre is working on ways to enhance the teaching and learning of science in schools.
- Cyber-bullying is a growing concern among educators and legal experts. A Quebec Researcher is leading the investigation exploring the causes, solutions and preventative measures needed to keep this rising trend out of our schools.
- The grades of males and females in schools have become more disparate over the years, and the number of male drop-outs continues to cause worry. What is causing this phenomenon? How can we fix it and still support the success of women? These are questions Quebec university researchers are currently answering.
- Education reforms – The Quebec education system underwent significant reforms in the 1960s, and again in the 1990s. Educational Sciences Professor Claude Lessard evaluates these reforms in his book.
- Violence in schools is a major concern. Quebec Researcher Claire Beaumont is examining what she calls 'microviolence' – a daily phenomenon causing long-term effects on its victims that has implanted itself into the school environment. Researchers François Bowen and Nadia Desbiens are working towards effective ways to reduce and prevent this violence.
- Through the work on children's social behavior, Quebec Researcher Victoria Talwar and her team have helped to spur reform to Canada's child witness laws. Focusing on truth and lies, their research shows previous assumptions to be incorrect and provides new techniques to encourage children to tell the truth.
- One Quebec university is very proud of the social integration projects that help pupils succeed and train teachers.
Many professionals trained at Quebec universities – psycho-educators, school psychologists, social workers, ortho-pedagogues, school orientation specialists, pedagogical counselors, and andragogues – are instrumental in helping students having difficulties adapting and/or learning.
In many other areas, Quebec universities affect your daily life. Click here to find out more.
