assignment 6 dec 7 webversion

8/10/2019 Assignment 6 Dec 7 Webversion

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December 7, 2014Ebony MorganYukon Education

1000 Shadowfax Blvd.Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 3H9

RE: ANCESTRAL TECHNOLOGY 10 BLENDED LEARNING PILOT PROJECT

Dear Ms. Morgan,

The Technology Assisted Learning and First Nations Programs and Partnerships units are

seeking the support of Yukon Education to implement the Ancestral Technology 10 Blended

Learning pilot project during the first semester of the 2015-2016 School year. The objective of

the program is to enhance Yukon First Nation student engagement and achievement by

integrating traditional ways of knowing with contemporary technology to create an authentic

learning experience that connects students to their cultural roots while they actively participate in

cultural preservation and revitalization. The program will keep students in their home

communities while they pursue their secondary education and engage them in culturally relevant

programming designed to improve First Nation student outcomes and close the gap between First

Nation and non-First Nation student achievement. The Ancestral Technology 10 Blended pilot

program is the most practical and cost effective way to accomplish this objective.

Funding in the amount of $13,700 is requested for project implementation to cover the travel

expenses for students and teachers to attend the week long experiential camp, materials and

honoraria for elder-experts to guide the creation of ancestral technology in the schools and the

cost of hiring a teacher to create an online Moodle component for the Blended Learning pilot.

We acknowledge the work of Yukon Education in improving outcomes for First Nations students

by developing holistic programs that support the intellectual, social, emotional and cognitivedevelopment of each learner and believe that this program would complement this work.

Thank you,Zoe Ravensong


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Ancestral Technology 10 Blended LearningPilot Project: Enhancing First NationStudent Engagement and Achievement

Submitted to: Director Learning Support Services, Yukon Education

Date: December 7, 2014

Zoe RavensongTechnology Assisted Learning Support OfficerYukon Education1000 Shadowfax Blvd.

Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5V1(999) 667-1968


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Ancestral Technology 10 Blended Learning Pilot

The Rationale: Enhancing First Nation Student Engagement and Achievement

Comprehensive research and consultation have documented the disparity between First Nation

and non-First Nation student achievement with First Nation students achieving lower completionrates and lower achievement rates overall. (Yukon Education Strategic Plan 2014-2019) The

objective of the Ancestral Technology 10 Blended Learning pilot program aligns with the

strategic goal of Yukon Education to enhance First Nation student engagement, achievement and

future opportunity. First Nations, Inuit and Mtis advocate learning that includes their own ways

of knowing, cultural traditions and values. Without reflecting this vital connection to cultural

roots in our educational environments, First Nations learners will be unable to find relevance and

meaning in their academic pursuits. The overwhelming consensus [is] that improving

educational outcomes is absolutely critical to the future of individual Aboriginal learners, their

families and children, their communities, and the broader Canadian society as a whole

(Canadian Council on Learning 2007 Report: Redefining how Success is Measured in First

Nations, Inuit and Mtis Learning, p. 2) Educational environments that reflect two ways of

knowing1, foster the necessary conditions for nurturing healthy, sustainable communities and

closing the gap between First Nation and non-First Nation achievement. The success of the

Ancestral Technology 10 Blended pilot program will be a crucial step in improving outcomes for

First Nation learners while acknowledging the value of Aboriginal holistic lifelong learning as

an essential human endeavour that can benefit us all (p. 3). (See Appendix A: The Ancestral

Technology 10 Resource List for a graphic representation of the holistic lifelong learning model)

The Initiative: The Ancestral Technology 10 Blended Learning Pilot Program

The Ancestral Technology 10 Blended Learning pilot proposal targets three rural Yukon

community schools that belong to the Northern Rural Hub2and are presently participating in the

second wave of Blended Learning pilot programs (2014-2015). These particular schools are well

suited for selection to this initiative because they fit crucial criteria: isolated rural Yukon schools

1Learning that affirms their own (First Nations) ways of knowing, cultural traditions and valuesalongside Western knowledge and skills required for active participation in Canadians society.

2The Northern Rural Hub is an interconnected group of schools that was created to encouragerelationship building across diverse populations that share a common goal.


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with a modest number of predominantly First Nation students, the schools are located in

communities that have high speed Internet (fiber optic infrastructure support), the students have

access to and are familiar with proposed devices (have been assigned a MacBook Air for the

2014-2015 school year), have experience with online courses delivered via the Yukon Moodle

Learning Management System (LMS) and have access to highly qualified elder-experts and the

support of their communities. The pilot project will facilitate the exploration of cultural traditions

and values while creating a community of learners, in essence, finding ways for Indigenous

forms to play a role in emerging technology and contemporary modes of cultural expression

(Robbins, 2010, p. 118). The pilot will utilize the existing Yukon Moodle as a framework for

course delivery with support from established technologies that facilitate communication (Skype,

Mobile Technologies, videoconferencing), collaboration (Yukon Moodle, Web 2.0) and

community building (Skype, videoconferencing, Mobile Technologies). The pilot program will

make use of readily available technologies many of which are currently used in the target schools

and include:

Yukon Moodle Learning Management System

Mobile Technologies (iPads, mobile phones)

Personal Web Conferencing (Skype)

Room-Based Videoconferencing (Tandberg)

Web 2.0 technologies that facilitate blogging, wikis, mind mapping and othercollaborative and creative tools. Ex. Learning Journey App. for documenting the

Ancestral Technology 10 journey.

The pilot program will be launched at a weeklong experiential camp at Nanak Cheholay, the

traditional meeting place of theTr'ondek Hwch'in First Nation where relationships will be

established, ancestral technologies examined and knowledge acquired that will provide the

foundation for the Ancestral Technology 10 modules that follow. Students will continue their

individual journeys in their home communities with the knowledge that counterparts are within

reach by Skype, videoconferencing, email, and discussions on the Yukon Moodle. Group

videoconferencing sessions at strategic intervals throughout the course will encourage

community building and strengthening of relationships. Existing Yukon Education support

systems for this initiative include the First Nations Programs and Partnerships Unit (FNPP),

Technology Assisted Learning Unit (TAL), Information Support Services Unit (ITSS) and a
http://www.cyfn.ca/ournationsthfn?noCache=776:1221408569http://www.cyfn.ca/ournationsthfn?noCache=776:1221408569


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2. Mobile Technologies

Mobile Technologies are an integral part of daily life and the majority of pilot participants will

already be experienced users. Students and teachers will have access to a global network of

information anywhere, anytime on devices that are simple, intuitive and have a common

interface across all Yukon Education platforms. (Mac) Using Mobile Technologies provides

authentic real-world experiences that will prepare students for active participation in an

interconnected world that is becoming increasingly complex.

3. Personal Conferencing

Skype, our personal conferencing platform of choice, has been extensively used in education in

fact, 98,808 teachers use Skype in their classroom worldwide. (Skype, 2014) Skype is free,

multifunctional (chat, videoconferencing, text chat, file exchange), is ultra simple to use,

ubiquitous and the majority of students and teachers are experienced users. Skype works on all

devices with an Internet connection and is an exceptional tool for communicating, collaborating

and building relationships between individuals and communities. The simplicity of Skype allows

students to take an independent role in their learning tasks and promotes the development of self-

directed learning. Peer mentorship can provide a bridge between experienced and novel users.

4. Room-based Videoconferencing

Tandberg videoconferencing equipment has been used in community schools successfully forover 10 years, is constantly being upgraded and support is available from the ITSS and TAL

units. Room-based videoconferencing facilitates group meetings with multiple connections and

has the capability for onscreen graphic presentations. The platform is highly user friendly and

many teachers are experienced users. All community schools have videoconferencing suites and

adequate high-speed Internet connections to use the platform. Having larger group meetings at

strategic points in the program strengthens relationships and builds a sense of community.

5. Web 2.0

Web 2.0 technologies are multi-functional, multifaceted and interactive. They facilitate

collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking and reflection through blogging, wiki

creation, creative product development, curation and peer feedback and assessment. The majority

of students and teachers have experience with Web 2.0 applications and skills are highly


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transferable from platform to platform. Tools are intuitive, easy to use; facilitate collaborative

group tasks and holistic, self-paced, independent learning. Tools work across platforms and

devices and multiple apps are available at all community schools. The use of Web 2.0 tools

promotes the development of vital contemporary learning skills that will allow our students to be

active and effective participants in the global knowledge economy. (See Appendix A: The

Ancestral Technology 10 Resource List for resources that define the rationale)

Evaluation: How Success will be Measured and Future Implications

Comprehensive program evaluation will be an integral component of course delivery, occur

continuously throughout the pilot project and include qualitative (anecdotal) and quantitative

assessments (completion rates). Observations and interviews during consultant visits to program

schools along with an online course evaluation questionnaire and course completion data will

provide a framework for assessing if program goals were achieved and for making

recommendations for the future of Ancestral Technology as a blended program. A meeting will

be scheduled with participating consultants, support staff, teachers, a student representative and

the Director of Student Achievement to review the data collected in preparation for the final pilot

project report, which will inform the development of future programs that target enhancing First

Nation student engagement, achievement and future opportunity.

References

Canadian Council on Learning. (2007).Redefining how success is measured in First Nations,

Inuit and Mtis learning. Ottawa, Ontario.

Fullan, M. & Langworthy, M. (2014)A Rich Seam: How New Pedagogies Find Deep Learning.

London: Pearson.

Fullan, M. (2013). The New Pedagogy: Students and Teachers as Learning Partners. LEARNing

Landscapes. 6(2).

Government of Yukon. (2014). Yukon Education Strategic Plan: 2014-2019.

Robbins, C. (2010). Beyond preservation: New directions for technological innovation through

intangible cultural heritage. International Journal of Education and Development using

Information and Communication Technology. 6(2).


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Skype in the Classroom. (2014). https://education.skype.com/

Sraub, E. (2014). Understanding Technology Adoption: Theory and Future Directions for

Informal Learning.Review of Educational Research. 79(2).

Project Implementation Framework

Goals and Objectives

The objective of the Ancestral Technology 10 Blended Learning pilot is to enhance First Nation

student engagement, achievement and future opportunity by focusing on three vital issues:

1. Providing an opportunity for students to complete their secondary education in their home

communities where they have the support of family and friends.

2. Creating culturally relevant and authentic educational experiences that connect traditionalways of knowing with contemporary technological innovation.

3. Creating a sense of community and providing opportunities for students to build relationships

across rural schools.

Ancestral Technology 10 Blended Learning Pilot Implementation Schedule

3 Steering Committee: Director of Learning Support Services, First Nations Programs and Partnerships,participating First Nations representatives, principals of the three schools involved in the pilot project,TAL Unit, ITSS Unit, Northern Rural Hub Curriculum and Technology consultants.

Activities

Submit Grant Proposal December 31, 2014

Expected Grant Notification January 31, 2015

Steering Committee Initiation Meeting February 9, 2015

TAL and ITSS Units TechnologyRequirements and Support Meeting

February 16, 2015

Curriculum and Technology Consultants PilotProject Strategy Meeting

March 1, 2015

AT10 Online Moodle Course is created bycontracted teacher

March 16-27, 2015 (Spring Break)

Steering Committee Meeting June 23, 2015

Moodle Training for Pilot Program Teachers June 10, 2015

Experiential Camp Steering CommitteeMeeting

July 25, 2015


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Ancestral Technology 10 Pilot Project Budget

The budget includes travel expenses for students and teachers to the weeklong experiential camp,

materials and honoraria for elder-experts to guide the creation of ancestral technology in the

schools and the cost of hiring a teacher to create an online Moodle component for the Blended

Learning pilot. Curriculum consultant visits costs are covered in the 2015-2016 budget.

Blended Learning Pilot Budget

Teacher Moodle Training 1 Day/3 teachers @ Whitehorse @$250 $750.00

Online Course Creation 10 Days @ $500/day $3,700.00

Experiential Camp Costs covered by the CHAOS Program. $0

Return Travel Costs forExperiential Camp

Haines Junction-Dawson returnCarmacks to Dawson return

$1500.00$750.00

Hardware/Software Purchases Existing MacBook Air Computers $0

Program Delivery and Support Covered in existing 2015-2016 budget $0

4CHAOS is an experiential program offered to Grade 9 and 10 students in collaboration with the FirstNations Programs and Partnerships Unit of Yukon Education. "CHAOS" stands for Community,Heritage, Adventure, Outdoors and Skills.

TAL/ITSS Meeting to Finalize TechnicalRequirements and Support

August 1, 2015

Steering Committee Meeting August 8, 2015

Experiential Camp at Nanak Cheholay August 24-28, 2015

Implementation Phase Begins/Pilot ProgramActivities

September 2, 2015

Consultant/TAL/ITSS Unit representatives onsite to support the start of the pilot

September 2 & 3, 2015

Consultants visit pilot schools for support/Assessment

October 15, 2015

Consultants visit pilot schools forSupport/Assessment

December 11, 2015

AT 10 Course End Date January 23, 2015

AT 10 Online Evaluation Questionnaire January 2329, 2015

Evaluation/Assessment Meeting February 12, 2015

Pilot Project Final Report/Recommendations February 28, 2015


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Elder-Expert Honoraria 10 days @ $100/day x 3 schools $3000.00

Ancestral Technology CreationMaterials

$1000/school x 3 $3000.00

Contingency Funds $1000 $1000.00

Total Budget $13,700.00


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Appendix A: The Ancestral Technology 10 Resource List

Ancestral Technology 10 Course Framework Templatehttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/staffroom/pdf/13-14/da_atech_10.pdf

Ancestral Technology 10 In Depth Course Module Descriptionshttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/at10_modules.html

Ancestral Technology 10 Preliminary Test CampsMay and August 2013 Module VideosFeaturing Elder-expertshttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/ancestral_technology.html

First Nations Holistic Lifelong Learning Modelhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccessModelsFirstNations.html

Download the Holistic Lifelong Leaning Model PDhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/pdfs/RedefiningSuccess/CCL_Learning_Model_FN.pdf

Holistic Lifelong Learning Model Graphic Canadian Council on Learning
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/staffroom/pdf/13-14/da_atech_10.pdfhttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/at10_modules.htmlhttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/at10_modules.htmlhttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/ancestral_technology.htmlhttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/ancestral_technology.htmlhttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/ancestral_technology.htmlhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccessModelsFirstNations.htmlhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccessModelsFirstNations.htmlhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccessModelsFirstNations.htmlhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccessModelsFirstNations.htmlhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/pdfs/RedefiningSuccess/CCL_Learning_Model_FN.pdfhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/pdfs/RedefiningSuccess/CCL_Learning_Model_FN.pdfhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/holistic_ll_model_lg.jpghttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/pdfs/RedefiningSuccess/CCL_Learning_Model_FN.pdfhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccessModelsFirstNations.htmlhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccessModelsFirstNations.htmlhttp://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccessModelsFirstNations.htmlhttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/ancestral_technology.htmlhttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/at10_modules.htmlhttp://www.yesnet.yk.ca/staffroom/pdf/13-14/da_atech_10.pdf


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Appendix B: Ancestral Technology 10 Blended Learning Pilot Conceptual Map

Ancestral Technology 10 Concept Map PDF
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/at10_map.pdfhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/at10_map.pdfhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/at10_map.pdf

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