Teachers' Institute on Canadian parliamentary democracy.

• Author: Leman, Marc

Marc Leman is Director of the Political and Social Affairs Division with the Parliamentary Research Service, Library of Parliament. From March 1 to December 31, 1997 he was seconded to the Library's Public Information Office, as coordinator of the Teachers' Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy.

Launched in the fall of 1996 on the initiative of House of Commons Speaker Gilbert Parent, the Teachers' Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy is an opportunity for social studies teachers from across Canada to come to Parliament Hill to experience the workings of our parliamentary democracy, to share insights and expertise with colleagues, and to learn about and exchange new teaching strategies in this important area. This article by the Co-ordinator of the 1997 Institute offers an insider's view of this unique programme of professional development for teachers.

In November 1997, sixty-five social studies teachers from across Canada and the presidents of the provincial associations of social studies gathered on Parliament Hill to participate in the second Teachers' Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy. These teachers had been selected beforehand on the basis of their professional excellence by a committee composed of representatives of the teaching community. They came to Ottawa to experience firsthand the workings of our parliamentary democracy, to exchange views, and to learn about and develop new teaching strategies in this crucial subject area.

Origin and Highlights of the Programme

While various opportunities exist for Canada's youth to experience and witness the workings of Parliament, (1) few are offered to teachers. Yet, to teach effectively about modern Parliament and its intricacies, teachers must rely on creative and firsthand materials. Moreover, to present information in a way that will make their students eager to learn more about this institution, they need to rely on innovative teaching strategies. With these principles in mind, House of Commons Speaker Gilbert Parent, who had a long career as a school teacher, launched this unique four-day professional development opportunity in 1996 with the support of the Speaker of the Senate, Gildas Molgat. The inaugural session of the Teachers' Institute was attended by participants from all provinces. From all accounts, it was a resounding success.

The main goal of the Institute is to provide teachers with a hands-on experience of our parliamentary democracy and thereby stimulate them to implement and share innovative teaching strategies with colleagues in their schools and regions. Additional goals are to stimulate discussion and critical analysis of fundamentals of parliamentary democracy and the parliamentary system and to give teachers opportunities to share research, resources and methodologies as they develop effective teaching strategies. Networking is an important dimension of the learning process during and after the Institute. The idea is to foster a network of ambassadors who, in turn, will be able to assist teachers at the regional, board and school levels in developing and implementing new strategies for teaching students about parliamentary democracy and civic education. During the week participants are also introduced to the wealth of resources provided by Parliament and other federal agencies to enhance their teaching in this area.

Over four intensive days, teachers work through a busy programme of activities. These range from meetings and interactive sessions with Members of the House of Commons, Senators, experienced parliamentary staff and senior public servants; briefing sessions with the Speakers of the House of Commons and Senate as well as procedural officers of both Houses; plenary sessions on the public policy process, particularly the legislative process, and the role of the executive branch of government; and small group work on sharing ideas and developing teaching initiatives. Each group is chaired by a facilitator familiar with the programme who helps teachers articulate their parliamentary experience and begin development of effective pedagogical strategies.

Interaction with parliamentarians and staff is a vital component of the Institute and is rated highly both by teachers and politicians. Participants are given the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a Senator or a Member of the House of Commons, usually in his or her parliamentary office, to discuss such issues as personal experiences in the Chamber and in committee work; how issues are dealt with in their constituency or region; how personal beliefs, public opinion and party solidarity are balanced; and how the job affects family life.

Prior to the Institute, teachers are asked to choose a parliamentarian they would like to meet. Sometimes participants are matched with parliamentarians who expressed an interest in meeting with teachers. Last-minute cancellation of a scheduled meeting because of an unforeseen parliamentary duty...