Online Program for Native American Head Start Educators

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Thursday, July 13, 2006
This presentation is part of 3: Poster Sessions
Online Program for Native American Head Start Educators

Description: The MSU-ECE program enables Native American Head Start Educators to complete an online Bachelors degree program in Early Childhood Education via WebCT. Dismal economic realities and the cultural factors of many Native American communities deterred these educators from furthering their education. Learn how cultural and technical challenges were addressed, structural design and support were adapted, and a mandate by the National Head Start initiative was met through a collaborative effort.
Presentation Format: Poster
Topic: Enabling learning: Effective instructional practices and student support models
Target Audience: Course Designers, Faculty and Other Instructors, E-learning Managers, K-12 Educational Staff
Appropriate Audience Level: Beginning or new users of WebCT, Experienced WebCT users
WebCT Version: Both WebCT Vista and WebCT Campus Edition
Abstract Text: Since the inception of Head Start in 1965, Native American reservations across the nation have operated Head Start programs in their communities. Many of the women who started with the programs have remained in their positions for 30-40 years with no increase in salary. Geographically, reservation communities in Montana are situated great distances from each other and from major educational institutions that offer four-year degrees in Early Childhood Education. Given the depressing economic realities, familial, and cultural factors, opportunities to pursue further education have been challenging to non existent. In response to a mandate by the National Head Start program, a partnership between Montana State University and three Montana tribal colleges was developed to provide Native American Head Start Educators a complete bachelor's degree program in Early Childhood Education delivered solely via WebCT. The major obstacle of the program is that many of these rural students do not have phones in their homes, let alone a computer. Therefore, the students technological needs are assessed prior to any training in technical skills such as emailing, word processing, discussions, and the submission of course work. Students are uniquely mentored and provided vital support by a technical team that addresses day to day technical issues that can arise when taking an online course. This team also provides the instructor with the necessary technical training that allows for them to successfully instruct their WebCT courses. From a methodological stand point this technical team has provide a high tech, soft touch approach that has proven successful. In the fall of 2006 the first cohort of this program will graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. The impact of this program has been far reaching as yet another tribal college is waiting to enter a new cohort in the fall of 2006.

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Description:	The MSU-ECE program enables Native American Head Start Educators to complete an online Bachelors degree program in Early Childhood Education via WebCT. Dismal economic realities and the cultural factors of many Native American communities deterred these educators from furthering their education. Learn how cultural and technical challenges were addressed, structural design and support were adapted, and a mandate by the National Head Start initiative was met through a collaborative effort.
Presentation Format:	Poster
Topic:	Enabling learning: Effective instructional practices and student support models
Target Audience:	Course Designers, Faculty and Other Instructors, E-learning Managers, K-12 Educational Staff
Appropriate Audience Level:	Beginning or new users of WebCT, Experienced WebCT users
WebCT Version:	Both WebCT Vista and WebCT Campus Edition
Abstract Text:	Since the inception of Head Start in 1965, Native American reservations across the nation have operated Head Start programs in their communities. Many of the women who started with the programs have remained in their positions for 30-40 years with no increase in salary. Geographically, reservation communities in Montana are situated great distances from each other and from major educational institutions that offer four-year degrees in Early Childhood Education. Given the depressing economic realities, familial, and cultural factors, opportunities to pursue further education have been challenging to non existent. In response to a mandate by the National Head Start program, a partnership between Montana State University and three Montana tribal colleges was developed to provide Native American Head Start Educators a complete bachelor's degree program in Early Childhood Education delivered solely via WebCT. The major obstacle of the program is that many of these rural students do not have phones in their homes, let alone a computer. Therefore, the students technological needs are assessed prior to any training in technical skills such as emailing, word processing, discussions, and the submission of course work. Students are uniquely mentored and provided vital support by a technical team that addresses day to day technical issues that can arise when taking an online course. This team also provides the instructor with the necessary technical training that allows for them to successfully instruct their WebCT courses. From a methodological stand point this technical team has provide a high tech, soft touch approach that has proven successful. In the fall of 2006 the first cohort of this program will graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. The impact of this program has been far reaching as yet another tribal college is waiting to enter a new cohort in the fall of 2006.