A wild Ignite session to ignite many sparks

20 slides, 20 seconds per slide for a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. That's the time allotted to the six people who accepted the challenge of this spectacular conference format at the #Clair2023 event, which was held on February 2 and 3 in New Brunswick. Each person was asked to present their vision of the "Ignite the Spark" theme.

The concept of the Ignite session, also known as Pecha Kucha, is designed to create a high intensity atmosphere at an event. With the fast pace of one presentation after another, it's easy to generate excitement.

The Ignite session of #Clair2023 was hosted by Maxime Pelchat, digital strategist at CADRE21. One by one, the brave men who had accepted the challenge took the stage.

Here is a brief summary of each of the presentations.

Luc Caron, Superintendent of the District scolaire francophone du Nord-Ouest (DSFNO) in New Brunswick

The pandemic has had many impacts on youth. Only 38 % of them report very good or excellent mental health today. There is an urgent need to act to restore a motivating and engaging school. To do this, every school staff member must become a learner themselves and listen to the needs of youth.

Mr. Caron cited research that presents conditions that teachers believe are conducive to learning. He contrasted the list with conditions experienced in schools.

Alisha Collins, Director of Creative Learning and the Biomanufacturing Initiative for Creative Labs Nova Scotia

According to Alisha, biotechnology is the new digital. Biomanufacturing will help us design new sustainable products and materials based on living biological elements (fungus, yeast, algae, bacteria). It allows us to explore the creativity of young people in the service of sustainable development.

Collins cited areas that are already being influenced by biotechnology: architecture, energy, fashion, food and other consumer goods.

Frédéric Ouellet, mathematics teacher and technopedagogue at Collège de Sainte-Anne de La Pocatière

Mr. Ouellet has always been interested in making a difference in education, in improving student learning and in engaging students. He presented the sparks that he tries to spread in his community on a daily basis and invited the participants to do the same:

• Team spirit and involvement in the school
• Creativity
• The collaboration
• Sharing
• Passion for a discipline (mathematics, in his case)

Chantal Doiron-Pelletier, Assistant Director, CAHM

Doiron-Pelletier says she dreams of the day when everyone around her becomes an agent of change. "Instead of staying inside the box, let's get rid of the box," she said. She said the "box" represents the responsibilities one has and must fulfill as a professional. "Once I fulfill my obligations, let me have some fun!" She offered her way forward to achieve her dreams:

• Finding solutions
• Always go for it
• Learning from the experience
• Team working
• Test your ideas with others

His concluding message: "Let's become the educators that the researchers are looking for. Let's create our own data.

Alexandre Audet, French teacher at Pierre de Blois Public High School in Barrhaven, a suburb of Ottawa, and co-host of the podcast Les ingénieux pédagogiques

The history of mankind began around a fire, but today, the fire is extinguished in many schools, the flame of the students is not very strong anymore. Innovation is not there. Who is responsible? Mr. Audet humorously calls them Paul Temps, Paula Ressource and Paul Goût!

For him, the teacher must be a model learner for himself and for his students. They must change their perspective, change their view of contexts, see the human first, the program second. "What if constraints forced us to innovate instead?" He invited all participants to become multipliers in their communities. "A spark is enough to rekindle the dead wood."

Laurie Couture, educational advisor at École branchée

Ms. Couture, who introduced herself as a garland designer, used the anatomy of a garland as a thread. She began by describing the different parts of a light bulb: the base (the solid foundation), the filaments (the ideas), the glass (the safe environment). "A light bulb is like a teacher or a school."

To turn the bulbs into a garland, they need to be linked together. There are several ways for teachers to connect and develop their network (events, social networks, etc.). Next, for the garland to glow, it must be powered. The switch must be turned on. It is up to each person to find their own way to shine and to counter those who might turn it off.

Here is a replay of the presentations so you can see them in action!

Our other articles about #Clair2023 : 
Education Innovation Showcase
The reunion of #Clair2023
"School should not be banana bread" #Clair2023

• Participants of #Clair2023 can retrieve their digital badge via the CADRE21 platform.

• It is also still possible to sign the DECLARATION.