Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Dehcho Region, North Slave Region
Tags: social sciences, education, students
| Principal Investigator: | Balanoff, Helen (5) |
| Licence Number: | 14278 |
| Organization: | NWT Literacy Council |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2008
|
| Issued: | Feb 05, 2008 |
| Project Team: | Suzanne Robinson (Coordinate & assist with project in her program, Aurora College, Inuvik), Margaret Field (Coordinate & assist with project in her program , Aurora College, Fort Providence) |
Objective(s): This study will examine non-academic outcomes among Aboriginal learners in an effort to reframe notions of success.
Project Description: Success in adult education is measured by academic achievement, but other benefits for learners exist. This study will examine non-academic outcomes among Aboriginal learners in an effort to reframe notions of success. The project will involve learners and instructors from three adult education programs: campus, community learning centres, and community-based non-government programs. Participation is voluntary, involves informed consent, and participants may withdraw at any time. Former learners will also be invited to take part. Non-probability sampling will be used to ensure that the sample is representative. Samples will consist of 5-10 people, and be as diverse as possible. Learners will decide if they wish to remain anonymous. The research team will meet to develop an introductory session, consent forms, and support materials, and to frame interviews. Instructors perspectives will be compared with the learner's perspective. Instructors will conduct introductory sessions with current learners. Prompts, such as photographs, presentations, and cue cards will be available. Session materials will be revised as necessary. The PI will conduct private sessions, while the PI and the instructors will conduct the group sessions. Current learners will take part in two group sessions followed by individual sessions. Former learners will have only one session. Instructors will conduct follow-up activities. Sessions will be recorded digitally and transcripts provided back to the learners for verification. Wherever possible, learners will be included in the analysis component of the research. Feedback from instructors and learners will be analysed in an effort to translate the findings into practice. A support tool for the approach will be developed, along with a training plan. A final report and a plain language summary will be distributed to learners, educators, administrators & policy makers, government, community organizations, and literacy organizations and social science researchers across Canada. Updates on the project will be available through newsletters. Fieldwork will be conducted from February 05 to December 31, 2008 in Inuvik, Fort Providence, and Yellowknife.
