The effectiveness of web-delivered learning with aboriginal students: Findings from a study in coastal Labrador

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology / La revue canadienne de l’apprentissage et de la technologie
• Main Authors: David Philpott, Dennis Sharpe, Rose Neville
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; French
• Published: The Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE) 2010
• Subjects: Education; L; Newfoundland; Canada; Terre-Neuve
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.21432/T2T01T; https://doaj.org/article/8828b16af2e648098bd41ec560d79db4

This paper outlines the findings of a study that explores perspectives of e-learning for aboriginal students in five coastal communities in Labrador, Canada. The rural nature of many communities in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, coupled with a dramatically declining enrollment, has resulted in expanding use of e-learning as a means to provide quality high school curriculum. Recently, a Community University Research Alliance partnered with stakeholders to explore the success of e-learning in the province. Through one of the projects of this alliance, the authors examined the success of this mode of delivery for aboriginal students from the perspective of the students themselves, as well as the perspective of parents and educators. Additionally, student performance was examined in comparison to provincial peers. A wealth of data emerged which affords insights into factors that support and hinder e-learning in coastal areas and also informs educators about the diverse learning characteristics and needs of aboriginal students. As Canadian educators are increasingly challenged to address achievement issues that continue to characterize aboriginal populations, this study offers important data on the viability of e-learning as a mode of curriculum delivery. Résumé : Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude qui explore les perspectives de l’apprentissage en ligne pour les élèves autochtones dans cinq collectivités côtières du Labrador, Canada. Le caractère rural d’un grand nombre de collectivités de la province de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, jumelé à une baisse spectaculaire de la scolarisation, a mené à une utilisation accrue de l’apprentissage en ligne comme solution permettant d’assurer un curriculum de qualité au secondaire. Récemment, une alliance de recherche université-communauté a travaillé de pair avec les intervenants afin d’étudier les résultats de l’apprentissage en ligne dans la province. Grâce à l’un des projets de cette alliance, les auteurs ont examiné le succès de ce mode de prestation ...