In an ever-changing world, Institut Florimont prepares its pupils for the challenges of tomorrow, constantly refining the way it teaches while remaining true to its fundamentals.
This approach rests on a balance between tradition and innovation, neatly captured by Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica in Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education: “Effective education is always a balance between rigor and freedom, tradition and innovation, the individual and the group, theory and practice, the inner world and the outer world..”
It is in this spirit that our Innovation, Research and Development Unit supports reflection on teaching practice across Florimont and helps it to evolve.
Thanks to the contribution of a great many teachers, this momentum has, among other things, earned the school recognition as an Apple Distinguished School, an accolade that celebrates schools committed to educational innovation and to the thoughtful use of technology in support of learning. It is also reflected in our staff’s commitment to developing their own digital skills, with 180 teachers certified to date.
That said, the aim goes well beyond simply introducing new tools. Above all, it is about giving everyone the means to understand, experiment with and use technology in a responsible and meaningful way.
For pupils, this means developing and certifying their digital skills through PIX, as well as using the iPad in a wide range of ways in the classroom – from digital drawing and 3D visualisation of scientific concepts to exercises and activities that enrich their learning.
In the same vein, Florimont has developed Grammabot, a chatbot designed to help pupils learn grammar. Rather than handing them the answers straight away, it encourages them to think for themselves, taking a Socratic approach: it gives concise replies and gradually guides each pupil through their reasoning.
Families are also part of this conversation through our Cafés pédagogiques, hosted by Yann Houry, Head of the Innovation, Research and Development Unit. These informal sessions offer parents a chance to discuss educational practice and the role of digital technology.
Among staff, our “Teach Meets” workshops help to keep this culture of sharing alive. The first session, devoted to artificial intelligence, gave colleagues the opportunity to discover practical ways AI is already being used in their day-to-day work, and to exchange experiences and ideas.
All of this reflects a deeply held belief at Florimont: innovation in teaching is at its most meaningful when it strikes the right balance between the foundations of education and what allows it to move forward.
