Tag Archives: culture

Post #2- Designing learning environments for cultural inclusivity: A case study of indigenous online learning at tertiary level

Web-based instruction design is based on the particular epistemologies, learning theories and goal expectations of the designers themselves. In this paper, the authors trace the design processes involved for indigenous Australian learners preparing to enter university and the importance of cultural localization, which incorporates local values, styles of learning and cognitive preferences of the target population.

McLoughlin, C., & Oliver, R. (2000). Designing learning environments for cultural inclusivity: A case study of indigenous online learning at tertiary level. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 16(1).

Retrieved from https://ajet.org.au/index.php/AJET/article/view/1822/887

Post 4- Limited Teaching about Residential Schools

“Teachers lack confidence to talk about residential schools, study says” (CBC)

 

When an article has a headline like the one above, I find that it is directly pointing out the challenges with the education system. Many provinces require education about Residential Schools, but there are limited resources for teachers to use and teachers do not feel comfortable leading discussions on such a traumatic event. I personally struggle to teach my students about residential schools. I can read Shi Shi Etko, I can share Phyllis’ Story, we can watch a video, but to lead a deep and meaningful conversation about the trauma and atrocities experienced in these buildings is extremely challenging. I fit in with many of the non-indigenous teachers who lack the confidence to discuss and teach this topic, and it’s something that I need to learn how to do.

 

CBC News Article, August 20, 2017: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/residential-schools-edmonton-1.4254947

Post #5: Muskrat Magazine

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From the website:

“MUSKRAT is an online Indigenous arts and culture magazine that honours the connection between humans and our traditional ecological knowledge by exhibiting original works and critical commentary. MUSKRAT embraces both rural and urban settings and uses media arts, the Internet, and wireless technology to investigate and disseminate traditional knowledges in ways that inspire their reclamation.”

Muskrat Magazine will be accompanying me on throughout ETEC-521 and beyond. As a researcher from the outside looking in, this will be baby steps for tapping into the broader tapestry of indigenous culture, and media through technology. Being informed in an up-to-date way will be important for understanding ongoing shifts, developments and frames of reference.

POST #3 “To Wake Up the Nakota Language” – Video

https://www.nfb.ca/film/to_wake_up_the_nakota_language/

An excellent video from PBS about being one of the last members of a language group. The interviewee discusses the connections between his language, his land,  and his identity. Through this video, viewers can start to understand the perspectives of the members of the Nakota. It also features scenes of people learning the language and the efforts to keep the language alive. At only 6 minutes long, it is a good primer on the importance of language in indigenous communities. Featuring Armand McArthur of the Pheasant Rump first nation Southern Saskatchewan, it is a very personal look into the intersection of these issues.

“When you don’t know your language, you don’t know who you are.”

First Voices #1

https://www.firstvoices.com/

With the push to save endangered Indigenous languages, this site has been designed to archive and record as well as engage in cultural revitalization by providing teaching resources for Indigenous language learners.

This site is still in beta preview and is an improvement over the old version of the site.  It has been developed with the input of over 50 community partners.

You can choose to listen to the recorded words, play a game, there even is a “Kids Portal” which includes, words, phrases, games, songs & stories for student learning.  The Kids Portal can be accessed here:  https://www.firstvoices.com/kids/FV/sections/Data/