Conversations on Indigenous Centric ODDE Design

Abstract

AbstractIn reviewing Indigenous approaches to open, distance, and digital education, the authors found that Indigenous people have been keen to adopt and adapt technologies for their own uses and purposes but are less successful in controlling and creating technologies that dominate the learning landscape. Given the scant literature available on this topic, using the methodologies of kitchen table talks, the authors dialogue their experiences working with Indigenous people and designs in open, distance, and online teaching and education. Through their storytelling, the authors elicit examples of experience in postsecondary education contexts in Canada including the use of talking circles, blended and inclusive learning, development of safe spaces and hubs, and challenges balancing home life and online learning. The importance of relationships, community connection, and validating self and identity in the learning experience were strong themes that emerged from the dialogue. Indigenous pedagogies and knowledges online is a relatively unexplored phenomenon and this initial foray into characteristics, successes, and challenges may be a starting point for future scholars to follow. By sharing highly contextualized narratives from Canada, we aim to increase the global dialogue around decolonizing ODDE and therefore end the chapter by examining our experience against ongoing international discussions.