T-08: Fostering Digital and Academic Literacy

Enhancing student engagement in technical writing courses remains a key challenge in engineering education. This talk explores three initiatives designed to address this issue by providing meaningful publication opportunities to students. These include supporting student publication in a university magazine, launching a portfolio website to showcase high-quality assignments, and organizing a contest to recognize outstanding submissions beyond coursework. Implemented in a second-year technical writing and communication course at an English-medium engineering school in Montreal, these initiatives aim to boost student motivation, professional development, and visibility. The talk will also reflect on the impact of these efforts, including student feedback, scalability, and sustainability, while highlighting key successes and areas for improvement.

Many CEGEP students struggle with math leading to disengagement and dropout (Baurhoo-Gokool, 2020). Traditional math instruction remains rigid, failing to accommodate diverse learning needs. An AI-based tutoring system offers a solution by providing personalized, adaptive, and supportive learning experiences. This presentation aligns with the conference theme by exploring lessons learned in constructing an AI-based tutoring system and its potential in inclusive teaching. Using Engeström’s (1987) activity theory, the system adapts to students’ real-time performance, fostering confidence and mastery. Insights from our interdisciplinary team provide a roadmap for integrating AI into higher education math instruction.<

This project investigates the acquisition of 37 key digital literacy concepts, as outlined in the Digital Competency Framework, through the use of a serious digital game. It responds directly to the call from the Quebec Innovation Council’s Ready for AI (2024) report to enhance digital and AI literacy among students and learners—a crucial step toward the responsible integration of technology and artificial intelligence in society.

The presentation will outline the project’s theoretical framework, research methodology, and the design of the digital learning tool. It will also emphasize the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in driving educational innovation. The project is led by Sophie Marier, in collaboration with Maude Bonenfant (UQAM) and Patrick Plante (TÉLUQ), and supported by five college partners from the greater Quebec City area: Cégeps Sainte-Foy, Garneau, Limoilou, Lévis, and Collège Mérici.