NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area, North Slave Region

Tags: social sciences, literacy

Objective(s): To identify and train a cohort of community-based digital literacy instructors; and to co-develop a suite of digital literacy resources customized to the unique needs of these regions, and taught by instructors trained through this project.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.4885. Along with research outcomes regarding digital technology adoption and use, this project provides a strong foundation for sustainable, appropriate digital literacy training in the NWT, at a time of rapid development of digital infrastructure (through the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link and other major investments). It involves two primary activities: 1) identifying and training a cohort of community-based digital literacy instructors; and 2) co-developing a suite of digital literacy resources customized to the unique needs of these regions, and taught by instructors trained through this project. This Tides Canada Initiatives project was developed by the DigitalNWT partners, who compose the project Advisory Board and Steering Committee: Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, T’licho Government, NWT Computers for Schools, Aurora Research Institute, Aurora College, and University of Alberta. This project's research activities focus on digital technology adoption, development and use in the context of the NWT communities. Data collected through the procedures described in this application will also inform research outcomes (presentations, papers, etc.). In-person/online/paper surveys will be conducted in the communities involved in this project. All research participants will be provided with information about the study, and will indicate their informed consent. Researchers are available to answer questions about the project by phone or in person (local researchers). Information about the project will be provided by DigitalNWT partner organizations in newsletters or other media (e.g. radio), via email and social media, and/or through locally distributed posters. Local coordinator(s) in Wekweeti will conduct surveys either in a central location or by visiting households and asking residents to complete a survey. Surveys will be completed in-person, by paper, or by using a data collection application such as Open Data Kit (see: https://opendatakit.org/) loaded on a tablet. The local researcher(s) will then either input survey results into a secure survey program (e.g. Google Forms) and delete paper originals, or mail paper originals to the UAlberta Research team. Public outreach is a core component of this initiative, which heavily involves various NWT-based organizations and communities. The Project Description and Rationale sections provide details about engagement with individuals and communities in the NWT, including through digital literacy workshops and curriculum. Public outreach is a core component of this initiative, which heavily involves various NWT-based organizations and communities. The Project Description and Rationale sections provide details about engagement with individuals and communities in the NWT, including through digital literacy workshops and curriculum. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from February 16, 2021 to December 31, 2021.