Statement linking Weblog to Research

Using Technology to Support Community-based Traditional Knowledge Education:

At my school in the NWTs and at our Board we are working to integrate technology in a meaningful and supportive way into the schools and classroom. This year, with support of community members, I secured funding from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for a 2 year project – and hopefully indefinite – to develop technology based curriculum and resources emphasizing the preservation, valuing and passing on of traditional land-based knowledge and language. One of the things I want to do is get some direction and focus for our efforts.

Over the past 7 years we have tried many great strategies to immerse the school in the life of the community including weeks out on the land in the Barrens and recording all this, elders and community members in the school for language, stories, and values education support; on line repositories and resources, SMART Board language learning lessons etc. But I hope technology can help us make some real ‘shift’ in the way we work in the community.

I want to look at strategies used by other indigenous people and develop ideas for our community.  Being aware of the possible harmful effects of technology alongside the many clear benefits we want to develop some practical strategies we can use to guide our development of resources in a way that maximizes involvement and integration of the community, and helps the students be more successful in school and their community.

Sheila