Tackling Culture and Diversity in Distance

Learning

Lessons from Northwest Indian College

Remember to show video

Who We Are

HEADCOUNT BY LOCATION

Extended Campus, 73%

Lummi Campus, 27%

Every Student Takes Distance Learning Classes

Females, 66%

Males, 34%

HEADCOUNT BY GENDER

Challenges

We have been successful educating students wheremainstream institutions haven’t.

Can this be done online - at a distance?

Can we maintain close relationships?

How do we integrate culture into the classes?

How do we incorporate local, cultural knowledge?

Can we bridge the technological divide?

Not so much

But what ARE some strategies to increase success?

The Challenge

Increasing Self-Confidence So That Success Can Be Achieved

• Decrease apprehension about technology• Encourage Engagement

– Capture Attention– Maintain Interest

– Increase Motivation for the Long Haul

Underpinning Awareness

Family and Community

Engaging BusyStudents In Online Modalities

Is DifficultBUT

Engaging Students To Go Beyond Their Fear of Failure Is the Real

Challenge

I Try to Engage Students in All Venues(Pick and Choose!)

Visual Use images and graphics to supplement text Video: a familiar modality

Technology: can be plus or minus: could encourage an achievement gap

Audio: Some students learn better this way

Excellent Success Comes From…..

An Attractive Interface

• An Organized Approach

Excellent Success Comes From…..

Make it clear how to START!

• An Organized Approach

Excellent Success Comes From…..

• An Organized Approach

Excellent Success Comes From…..

Repetition in the flow of lessons

Encouraging Participation

HOW?

Teacher As GuideBUT

Mandate it if you have to!Self-revelation: don’t be a pedagogue!Involve family and community (elders)

Excellent Success Comes From…..

In Other WordsTeach from the Bottom Up

Allow Students to Participate in the Learning Process

Discussion Forums

Elder/Family Interviews: Video/Audio

We Use Technology

To Connect Learning to What Students Already Value and Know

Connect learning to cultureConnect learning to family/community

Connect to direct experienceConnect to beliefs