Quebec Minister of Higher Education Pascale Déry has recently come under fire for her interference in course content at Dawson College, where she demanded that a French language course about Palestinian literature avoid sensitive topics. Shortly after, Déry made a similar intervention in a Palestinian literature course at Vanier College.[Read More…]
Tag: education
McGill’s “gatekeeper courses” are against the spirit of education
The first time I expressed my desire to attend McGill, my enthusiasm was met with a warning: “You might get in, but it’s difficult to stay in.” They meant that although the university does not have the traditionally single-digit acceptance rates of American Ivy Leagues, the difficulty and low averages[Read More…]
Towards equity: 2SLGBTQIA+ representation in genetic counselling education
Genetic counselling is a growing field that aims to use family history and DNA testing to help families that may be at high risk for having children with birth defects and genetic disorders, as well as assess risk factors for inherited conditions. While innovations in genetic testing present new horizons[Read More…]
The flaws in educational software selection: A McGill perspective
Over 400,000 educational apps are currently available in app stores, with some of the most popular being Kahoot, Duolingo, and Quizlet—all instantly recognizable to anyone who attended high school after 2010. While these apps can be useful tools for teachers, they vary widely in quality and effectiveness. In a recent[Read More…]
Cracking the honesty code: Key techniques for encouraging honesty in children
Honesty is a crucial foundation for relationships and cooperation. In early childhood education, helping children recognize the importance of honesty is fundamental. Victoria Talwar, professor in McGill’s Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and lab director of the Talwar Child Development Research Lab, recently published a paper in Developmental Psychology[Read More…]
Post-secondary education is a right that must be asserted
Is McGill already not expensive enough? For many, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ)’s announcement of a tuition hike and the requirement of French language proficiency is a definitive sign of the increasing precarity of higher education. Potential out-of-province students will simply be priced out of attending university in Quebec. This[Read More…]
‘What Rough Beast’ explores the power and pitfalls of political discourse
Universities often reflect our broader society in terms of both shared values and differences, creating a privileged microcosm of the world. By setting her newest play, What Rough Beast, on a college campus, playwright Alice Abracen condenses complex political dynamics into a conversation between seven characters. Her script examines the[Read More…]
Disney’s support for ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill contradicts their alleged values
Considering that Disney owns a theme park that they call the “happiest place on Earth,” it is disappointing that the company currently supports several legislators who want to silence 2SLGBTQIA+ people and make Florida the most heterosexual place on Earth. Disney made headlines after the Orlando Sentinel and other news[Read More…]
The cancellation of the Dawson expansion cuts deeper divides
On Jan. 28, the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government announced its decision to pull the $100-million grant dedicated to funding the expansion of Dawson College. Under the leadership of former Premier Philippe Couillard, the Quebec Liberal Party initially approved the project in 2018 to address the college’s overcrowded campus. Plans[Read More…]
Standardized testing is a perpetuation of white supremacy
As students near the end of their degrees, whether high school or university, many opt to continue their education. And for those whose dreams involve college in the United States, law school, or medical school, a terrifying barrier to entry stands in their way: Standardized tests. Despite being known for[Read More…]
