Distance Education in the Gwich'in Settlement Area: Its Current Status and Potential Role
Principal Investigator: Cayen, Liz (1)
Licence Number: 12943
Organization: Athabasca University
Licensed Year(s): 1997
Issued: Aug 27, 1997
Project Team: self

Objective(s): The objectives of the study are to review the current status of distance education in the Gwich'in Settlement Area and to investigate the role that distance education could play in the future education and training of aboriginal people. The investigation centres around the fact that the Gwich'in people need to find new and effective ways to meet their educational and training needs with distance education being a possible vehicle for meeting these needs. The researcher will look at what distance education has been used in the past and how effective or ineffective it has been.

Project Description: The purpose of the study is to determine the current status of distance education in the Gwich'in Settlement Area, to analyse the existing education/training needs and to make recommendations about the use of distance education methods and strategies to meet those needs. This will involve surveying people who are presently or have recently pursued education through this delivery method. Data collected will include information about the types of courses/programs, reasons for taking particular courses, structure of the course, support offered by the institution, how helpful the support was to the student and the outcome of the course. There will be complete anonymity and confidentiality of the respondents participating in the survey. A report will be developed from the data and recommendations will be developed which may be used to develop a model of distance education to provide appropriate education and training endeavours to meet the needs and desires of the Gwich'in people.