Hands Back, Hands Forward: First Nations New Learning Technologies Project

TitleHands Back, Hands Forward: First Nations New Learning Technologies Project
Faculty/College/UnitFirst Nations House of Learning
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2001
Completion03/31/2002
Project Summary

Objectives:

  1. First Nations graduate students with information technology skills will work with the Native Indian Teacher Education Program (NITEP) faculty to enhance its First Nations courses by using WebCT.
  2. Two undergraduate students with IT skills will be hired to tutor and mentor First Nations students using the Longhouse Computer Lab. They will tutor and mentor students on various levels of computer software (word processing, email, internet research, power point and other forms of computer media). They will also introduce WebCT skills to computer lab users.

Rationale:

NITEP offers a number of First Nations courses: EDUC 140 Introduction to First Nations Studies; EDUC 141 A Cultural Study; EDUC 240 Issues in First Nations Education; EDCI 396A First Nations Curriculum. All courses are program requirements. EDCI 396A is open to any Education student. None of these courses have web based components and none of the current faculty have the necessary IT or Web CT skills. NITEP is currently exploring ways to expand their program offerings. Designing web-­based features of these courses will help provide flexibility in distance and distributed learning. The courses also require updating of course references to include material accessible through the World Wide Web. There is currently a shortage of First Nations teachers in the province. NITEP usually enrols up to 120 students per year. If more of the program's courses could be offered through web based learning, more students may be able to begin part-time studies, allowing them to start academic studies. The FNHL has a network of graduate students with appropriate IT and Web CT skills and research skills that will work with NITEP faculty.

The FNHL continues to provide a computer lab for Aboriginal students to complete research and their course assignments. The Aboriginal students require tutoring and mentoring for basic word processing to advanced computer media usage.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2001/2002
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorJo-ann Archibald
Year 1: Funded Amount25,000
Year 1: Team Members

Jo-ann Archibald, First Nations House of Learning
Felicity Jules, Native Indian Teacher Education Program