First Nation and Inuit governments are using broadband-enabled applications to support the delivery of services like health care and education.
Equitable access to education is lacking in many of these communities. While primary and elementary schools are often available locally, many communities do not have on-site high schools. Historically, this meant senior students traveled away from their homes to finish school, and some faced challenges when they did so. However, those students who stay at home to study lack access to the teachers, support staff, courses, and other resources available to their counterparts in less remote regions of Canada.
In this context, broadband-enabled education applications can support educational services in remote and rural communities. Broadband-enabled applications help students of all ages gain access to course materials. Distance learning can expand education beyond schools, supporting the formation of networks where students, teachers and facilitators collaborate and learn from each other. Teachers use online applications to encourage student engagement, and to access learning resources and curriculum. Online applications also connect students to support staff like councillors or psychologists, and assist with administrative and professional development.
One example of a First Nations education application is the Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS). KiHS provides services to several remote and rural communities in Ontario. Watch a video created by Craig Gray, a recent graduate of KiHS from Saugeen First Nation. Craig uses Skype to interview KiHS principal Darrin Potter. Darrin talks about the KiHS model and the benefits of connectivity to KiHS students and teachers. He stresses how access to broadband services and infrastructure managed by KO-KNET enabled KiHS students to virtually attend high school from their home communities.
For a lighthearted peek inside a KiHS classroom, check out the video below created by Tyrell Kowtiash and Myron Tait from Sachigo Lake First Nation.
Broadband-enabled educational applications include resources for young parents and working professionals. Many examples exist across Canada, from programs like the Keewaytin Career Development Corporation in Saskatchewan to Ogoki Learning Systems in Manitoba, where mobile apps support the Ojibway language.
The flexibility of digital technologies allows educators to shape teaching and learning tools to support personalization, individualization, and localization. Programs like the Masters of Education, Educational Intervention Program train teachers to creatively integrate ICT into their classrooms. Read about this program.