In October 2006, the Institute initiated a one-year special project funded by FedNor for the development of an e-learning delivery system required by the Institute for the expansion and delivery of new online educational programs, courses, and services being offered for the 2007/2008 academic year.  This project has since been completed and a final report was submitted to FedNor in January 2008.

The use of virtual learning environments for post-secondary education program and service delivery has become widespread at colleges and universities.  Web-based tools and technologies such as student portals, learning management systems, and live synchronous tools enable both instructors and students to teach and learn online.  Within this expanding digital, online education realm, OSHKI itself must build capacity to design, develop, and deliver our own unique e-learning program, including the technological infrastructure and pedagogical framework, which best meet the needs of the First Nations communities and learners that we serve.  This project addressed this need by promoting and developing e-learning at OSHKI to ensure that all learners have equal access to OSHKI’s current and future educational opportunities.

OSHKI’s E-Learning Coordinator was responsible for managing and implementing this project in collaboration with a project implementation team.  Project results included:

•    Upgraded network cabling and security at OSHKI’s new campus facility.
•    Upgraded staff computers and equipment.
•    Established a new up-to-date computer lab for students.
•    Conducted an environmental scan to examine the state of e-learning within the Aboriginal post-secondary education context.
•    Formulated an e-learning strategy for the Institute based on environmental scan results and freely available open source software.
•    Deployed two pilot web servers using Windows XP, Apache, MySQL, and PHP (WAMP) technical framework to host OSHKI’s new virtual learning environment.
•    Developed a new e-learning@OSHKI portal for students to access e-learning tools and resources at OSHKI.
•    Piloted Moodle, an online learning management system, including other e-learning tools such as student webmail, weblog, and wiki to help facilitate online teaching and learning.
•    Designed and developed in collaboration with Northern Links a framework for Moodle-based online courses at OSHKI.
•    Trained students and instructors in the access and use of Moodle and other e-learning tools.
•    Collaborated with instructors and facilitated online course development and delivery for AFEP and IWAP semester one (Sep – Dec 2007) courses.
•    Marketed e-Learning@OSHKI through OSHKI Four Seasons newsletter and 2007/2008 Program Calendar.
•    Evaluated the effectiveness of courses online.
•    Reintroduced Contact North’s Centra system to facilitate the delivery of live virtual classes.

This project focused on e-learning provision for the Institute.  This project successfully achieved its aim of demonstrating that it is within the capabilities for an Aboriginal post-secondary education institution like OSHKI to build capacity for the provision of e-learning to remote First Nations communities and learners using completely free open source software products and solutions.  This should be positive news for the Aboriginal post-secondary education sector as it shows that institutions will be able to embrace e-learning without the high cost of capital equipment and annual software licensing and maintenance fees.  However, like any other program, we feel funding is required to sustain the resources necessary for the continued design, development and delivery of e-learning (both technical and pedagogical) for the Institute.