From AI to Holography: A Recap of the Journée du numérique

by Marc Vézina
November 2024

The Journée du numérique en éducation et en enseignement supérieur offered a unique dive into the world of digital transformation in education. For those working in vocational training, the event provided a powerful look at the tools, strategies, and critical thinking needed to meet today’s digital challenges head-on. This annual gathering brought together innovative ideas and forward-thinking perspectives, making it clear that integrating digital tools effectively requires more than just technology—it requires a balanced, thoughtful approach. Here’s a closer look at some standout sessions that revealed new directions for vocational training and digital education, including the cybersecurity session offered by the RÉCIT VT consultants.

Keynote
The day began with a keynote by Nelly Brière, who challenged participants to adopt a “balanced approach” to digital integration. As a technocritic, Brière underscored the importance of navigating digital spaces thoughtfully, ensuring that technology in education serves learning goals, not the other way around. Her insights provided a crucial framework for the rest of the day, setting a tone of reflection on how we use digital tools in schools.

Deep Fakes
One standout session, IA et hypertrucages à l’école, explored how deepfake technology is impacting education and public life. This session equipped educators with essential strategies to teach students critical thinking about AI-generated media. In vocational training, where hands-on skills are core, such critical media literacy becomes a valuable skill that extends far beyond the classroom. The workshop emphasized how these skills help students navigate and evaluate digital content, an asset in today’s media-rich environments.

Holographic Pedagogy
Another fascinating presentation, La pédagoholographie by France Lafleur, highlighted the potential of holographic technology in distance learning. Holography opens new avenues for vocational training, especially where students need to visualize complex three-dimensional structures. Lafleur’s session demonstrated how holograms could bring immersive environments into remote learning, making vocational training accessible to students who can’t always be physically present. This blend of hands-on learning with remote flexibility shows the power of holography in making technical training available to a wider audience.

Learners' Experience Podcast
During the lunch break, the Balado du midi podcast offered an informal discussion on the realities of digital competency for learners from different age groups. The vocational training student was particularly eloquent about how well he was prepared for his stage through simulations in virtual reality. This candid exchange connected teachers with fresh ideas for enhancing digital literacy, showcasing the diversity of digital needs and skills among learners.

Cybersecurity
Rounding out the day, a hands-on workshop on cybersecurity by RÉCIT VT’s consultants, James and Marc, underscored the importance of digital safety. Covering password protocols, phishing awareness, and secure online practices, the session reinforced the need for cybersecurity in all areas of education. An infographic, a desktop wallpaper, and the sideshow used for the workshop can downloaded from this ressource page.

Attending the Journée du numérique was more than professional development—it was a reminder of the power of shared learning experiences. For consultants and educators alike, events like these inspire us to bring practical, innovative solutions back to our classrooms, equipping students and educators to navigate and thrive in a digitally complex world. 

(Artificial intelligence was used to write and edit this text for clarity, coherence and phrasing.)