KELSEY COMMUNITY

CIRCLE SUCCESS

PATHWAYS

VOICE- MOBILE TECHNOLOGY AND THE AT RISK LEARNER

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY AND THE AT RISK LEARNERBrief Description of Success Pathway This project proposes using mobile technologies to engage at risk aboriginal learners to attend an alternative

school setting. Research suggests that by participating in student directed learning using mobile technology devices, students will achieve higher baseline scores from previous results in numeracy and literacy. In addition, the plan is to include a Cree language application, called CreeDictionary.com, from the University of Alberta, developed by Dr. Earle Waugh. The application is the first interactive web-based First Nations language portal. It is proposed to improve Cree language skills.

The project proposes to encourage students to participate more fully in current learning opportunities, achieve at higher levels and become life-long learners. By incorporating Cree language learning with the user of the Cree dictionary language application through digital media, it will foster student engagement as well as encourage preservation of the language. The Cree dictionary language application allows students to explore and teach themselves the language and to preserve it as they find new catch phrases and symbols. Each student can create login account and the application tracks their progress.

The plan is to implement the project with approximately 100 at risk students from ages 12 to18. The vast majority of these students are self-declared Aboriginal students. Year 1 would be a pilot experience with a focus on middle years, alternate students at Mary Duncan School. The approximate number of students in this group will be 30. After the pilot, the iPads will also be made available to at risk groups of students in Mary Duncan School and possibly, in other schools.

During a period spanning almost three years, students will be able to access iPad2 technology on a daily basis with a focus on student-driven learning in the Cree Dictionary, English Language Arts and Mathematic curriculum strands.

The iPad2 technology will be integrated with direct classroom instruction in Language Arts and Mathematics classes on a daily basis. Students will receive individualized learning, immediate feedback and collaborative learning experiences.

Team Members: Al Gardiner- Dean of Education-UCN, Gordon Patton-information technology specialist- Mary Duncan School, Tara Manych & Louise Loewen- Mary Duncan School Administration, Christel Smith Instructor – UCN, Charleen Kerr- Brandon University Graduate Studies Student.

Target Audience: 12-18 year old at risk learners- 30 maximum

Implementation DATE: APRIL 15th, 2013

CURRENT INDICATORS OF SUCCESS Attendance Rates (June 2013- not incl.)

Data Collection Methods:School wide assessments, observation, focus group interview, survey & aptitude testing in ELA & Numeracy Outcomes.

2008/09

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

43% 65% 67% 77% 72%

Attendance Summary 2008 - 2013

GE/PACE

DISCIPLINE RATES

Sept. Oct. Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

98

259

4466

4272

152126

33

376

532

413

322

380

421

376

483

537

Mary Duncan Discipline 2012-2013

Reactive Proactive

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BASELINES

Series1

45 5

3

5

2

43

4

6

4

6

4 4 4

67

67

4 4

7 76

5 5 54

5

3

54 4

6

4

8

65 5

7 7 78

6 67

87

Voice Target Group Numeracy Levels

2012-2013

Sept June

Series1

7

4

5

6 6

7

6

7

4 4

5

7 7 7

6 6

4

5

2

4

6

3

2

4

8

6

5

6

7 7 7 7

6 6 6

8

7

8

6

7

4

6

4 4

6 6

2

5

Voice Target Group ELA Levels 2012-2013

Sept June

OTHER PROGRESS A meeting was held with community partners and

research team members attending. The IPads and related equipment have been received by Mary Duncan School. The teachers, who will be utilizing the IPads in their classes, have received training and have been practicing with the IPads. Baseline data related to attendance, classroom discipline and academic achievement has been transferred to a spreadsheet created by a Kenanow Bachelor of Education student.

The research plan will be developed in conjunction with the success pathway. The research project , like the success pathway will be named Mobile Technology and the At Risk Learner.

 

VOICE - MENTORING

THE PAS COMMUNITY CIRCLE

TEAM MEMBERS Volunteer UCN Education students Tiar McGinnis – Student Success Teacher, Scott Bateman

Middle School Al Gardiner – Dean of Education, University College of the

North Kelly Wadelius – Principal, Scott Bateman Middle School Audrey Cable, Teacher, Scott Bateman Middle School and

Graduate Studies Student, Brandon University Barb McLeod – Counsellor, Scott Bateman Middle School Dave Anderson – Kenanow Faculty of Education, UCN Heather Marlow - Counsellor, Margaret Barbour Collegiate

Institute Doug Long, Superintendent of Schools

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUCCESS PATHWAY

Developed at Scott Bateman Middle School to mentor and engage Grade 7 students. Students will be paired with UCN students and participate in activities that will support the development of a belief by the grade 7 students that they can graduate from high school and succeed in post-secondary education. Mentors will follow students through to high school

A pilot is operating currently with a small number of students from Scott Bateman Middle School and Faculty of Education, University College of the North

 INDICATORS OF SUCCESS The indicators of success (Middle Years and High School students): Academic success Further engagement in school More positive perceptions of high school graduation More positive perceptions of post-secondary

participation High school graduation Enrolment in a post-secondary institution soon after

high school graduation

PROGRESS Mentoring activities began in May 2013– UCN students held

sessions with several grade 6 students at Scott Bateman Middle School.

Getting to know you, How to be successful in middle school and Ipad activities have occurred.

Further sessions have been scheduled for the month of June. Year-end meeting between team members will be scheduled to

determine future activities and processes.

This multi-year project (students in grade 7 through grade 12) will see Scott Bateman students engaged in different activities each year with University College of the North Education students that includes creating a digital story about a positive school experience, presentations about college and university, tours of colleges and universities and regular discussions about life planning among students and mentors. This program has been adapted from an evidence-based project previously run in Texas, United States of America.

LAND BASED EDUCATION Kenanow Adventure Education Programme The site for the programme is being discussed by members of the Kelsey Community Circle, but once established will be called the Kenanow Learning Centre. The research component with a focus on instructional practice for current teachers and teacher education students will be developed.

The Kenanow Adventure Education Programme will incorporate existing initiatives like Into the Wild. A summer enrichment programme with an emphasis on addressing learning loss. The programme serves over 300 students each summer and is living laboratory for Education students.A research component will be developed in order for the programme to become part of the land based success pathway.

INTO THE WILD

A Summer Enrichment Programme for Children and Youth

Progress:

The principals in the Kelsey School Division would support the creation of the Kenanow Learning Centre (Ski Chalet). Faculty in the Kenanow Bachelor of Education program would operate/use the Kenanow Learning Centre as a site for shared land-based experiences with students and staff in the Kelsey School Division like the LINKS program.

We continue to work on a proposal to incorporate land based experiences into the Kenanow Bachelor of Education curriculum.