"Mini-techs" participate in the establishment of learning hubs at the CSS de Montréal

On December 15, a very special virtual gala took place. It was an opportunity to recognize the work of some 50 “mini-techs”, young digital experts, who act as peer helpers in their schools. This event came to close the first stage of a collaborative project between the Montreal School Service Center (CSSDM), the Network School (EER) and Grandir sans frontières.

The model of the mini-technician brigade is not new. ERA has already deployed it through its network of schools. This time, the concept has been adapted as part of a collaborative project that aims to deploy learning hubs in CSSDM schools. “A learning hub is a 2.0 school library. In addition to traditional books and other media objects, we can also find a cinema space (for filming and editing), 3D printers and other technological equipment ”, indicates Marie-Claude Nicole, director of the EER.

The current project aims to model the learning crossroads with the choice and use of digital equipment. What should we find there? How should we organize its operation? Initially, ten classes from five CSSDM schools were involved in the project, i.e. some 200 students, of whom 50 had the opportunity to become members of the mini-tech squad.

Thus, they were trained in the equipment acquired by their respective schools, they participated in the development of pedagogical projects with teachers and took charge of the training of other students in their school. “This form of peer tutoring is very promising. The teacher must share responsibilities with his students in order to carry out the projects, ”says Ms. Nicole.

During the gala on December 15, which more than 1,700 students from across Quebec attended, they presented, in video form, several of the projects in which they had participated in recent weeks. These are grouped together on the La Carrefothèque's YouTube channel. The young mini-techs therefore benefited from a substantial audience to present their achievements.

Learning hubs in all schools

Encouraging the transition of school libraries to the concept of learning hubs is one of the measures of the Digital education action plan. With this project, the partners had the opportunity to model the deployment of the concept. A return to the participating teachers is planned for January 2022 and will make it possible to adjust, if necessary, the deployment envisaged by the CSSDM to its other primary schools. Subsequently, the spinoffs of this collaboration will be able to guide the deployment of the model in Quebec schools.

"The project aimed to develop all kinds of skills among teachers and students: digital skills, math and science skills, skills around ethical issues, too. It's not only the students who were able to develop new skills, but certainly the elementary school teachers, who are unfamiliar with digital intelligence (its origins, what it represents, its characteristics, its applications, etc.)," concludes Nicole.

Dimension (s) of digital competence related to this article
5- Collaborate using digital technology
9- Adopt a perspective of personal and professional development with digital technology in a position of empowerment
10- Solve a variety of digital problems

To see the Framework.