Teaching the first term

Abstract

For this first Bulletin, we have chosen to address the topic of teaching students who are beginning college (students of Québec’s cegeps or private colleges). Prior to this project being launched, a requirements study consistently revealed interest in this topic, as much from the teachers consulted as from educational consultants and tutors. Everyone is talking about student success, and particularly about the success of students who are beginning college. Texts and research have been indexed about the learning experiences of students beginning college, resource centres, the issue of remunerated work, mentorship or internship formulas, how college students are selected and admitted and how extracurricular activities contribute to student success. The topic of teaching the first term is of great interest to the college network. In this bulletin, we will approach the issue from the particular point of view of a teacher with less than 5 years of experience. Who is the first-term student? How do you teach 17-year old young people coming from high school? How do they learn?