A report on the development of materials to accompany an instructional unit entitled "Labrador peoples"

• Main Author: McLean, Stephen
• Other Authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Education
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1983
• Subjects: Inuit > Newfoundland and Labrador > Labrador; Social sciences > Study and teaching > Newfoundland and Labrador > Labrador; Labrador (N.L.) > Population; Canada; Indian; Newfoundland; inuit; Newfoundland studies; University of Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses2/id/159953

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1984. Education Bibliography: leaves 54-57. The purpose of this study was to develop an instructional package about the different peoples of Labrador. The instructional unit was developed as supplementary resource material for the Grade Six program of social studies. The package is multi-media in format with a series of four slide-tape presentations and an accompanying student booklet. -- It has been well documented over the last decide that Labrador students face unusual problems in terms of the curriculum offered within the Newfoundland and Labrador social studies program. A survey of the current curriculum materials by the developer identified the need for more accurate and current materials about Labrador. This was especially true of the materials which described the Indian and Inuit people of Labrador. A survey of the literature and reports about schooling in Labrador confirmed the need for more relevant materials about the Labrador portion of the province. - An instructional package was developed which focussed on the Indian, Inuit, and white groups of Labrador. When the package was completed, two content specialists, two media specialists, and a learner specialist were consulted to evaluate the content and technical quality of the package. Based upon their recommendations, a number of changes were made in the instructional unit. -- The package was piloted in three Grade Six classes in Indian, Inuit, and white communities of Labrador. A total of 43 students received the program. -- Two main tools were employed to gauge the success of the "Labrador Peoples" program as a teaching unit. A pretest/posttest instrument was used to evaluate the achievement of the students. Secondly, questionnaires were completed by the participating teachers and students to determine their attitude towards the program. -- Results of the pretest/posttest instrument showed that the students made significant gains on the material presented by the media package. Not only did the unit promote effective learning, but also both teachers and students held positive attitudes towards the content and technical aspects of the instructional program. - In summary, the instructional unit has been presented and evaluated. The unit materials have been effective in bringing about student gains. Both student and teacher response to the "Labrador peoples" unit of social studies has been positive.