A last note...

You made it to your last day of the module...congratulations! I hope that, now, you are able to see the wide array of simple possibilities current technology offers. Good luck on your test!

-towya-

p.s. oh, and don't forget about the wiki-wiki ;-)

What about wikis??

I thought a lot about whether I would include this post because a wiki, by definition, changes constantly. In class, we reviewed and modified the entry for Qikiqtarjuaq many times. However, by tomorrow our changes could be altered; there is never a way to know if the information is absolutely accurate.

As an educational tool, a wiki is more dynamic than other sites since it has multiple authors, but that is often stated as its weakest aspect. Fortunately, as was stated in your textbook (page 56), "there are vastly more editors who want to make it right than those who want to make it wrong...the collaborative efforts of the group set it straight, usually very quickly." Do not discount the value of wikis in the classroom; they can often be invaluable as an internal class project.

In preparation for your test on Tuesday, review chapter 4...we will be creating and using a basic wiki site throughout the rest of our courses. You have to use it to learn it. You have to learn it to develop a fair judgement on whether it's useful in a northern context; I cannot answer that question for you (though I'm sure you all know my opinion).

Have a great weekend!

-towya-

Blog assignment...

I just finished reading through your group blogs and, I have to say, they look fantastic. I like how you both took an element of traditional Inuit culture - sealskin cleaning and seal hunting - and expanded on that topic. Check the links I added to the sidebar! It's all you...

Group Blogs...

Well, it's finally Friday, and you have done so much this week! Today we're going to go a bit further with blogs (please, please, please...computers work!). This time, however, we're going to get into the 'meat' of your assignment.

Each of you, working in groups, will be responsible for developing a blog focusing on some part of Inuit culture. Perhaps making a parka? The correct way to prepare the skin? Dog teams? Traditional hunting? The possibilities are endless, and I'm sure you'll come up will better ones than I can. We will be begin to prepare today because, in all likelihood, we will be inviting an expert (eg. elder) into the class to help us out.

More explanation of this will follow and, this afternoon, you'll be given a rubric which will explain the marking for this particular assignment. Right now, though, I want you to take out the handout I gave you yesterday, head on over to this video if you can't remember what we did, and try accessing your account again.

Enjoy!

-towya-

Can you be a blogger?

As our experience this afternoon showed us, sometimes computers leave us feeling like this:

Don't get too depressed just yet! I'm sure our viruses will be cleaned out soon enough.

The short reading I gave you mentioned starting small when you work with blogs, so perhaps we should limit this lesson to comments...think about the post, then let me know what you come up with.

-towya-

Can blogs preserve culture?

Check out the title of this post. What do you think? Perhaps...

Try reviewing this site, and we'll talk about it in our next class together:

http://arctickingdom.com/blog/category/inuit/inuitculture/

-towya-

Welcome to the blogosphere!

Learning to use a blog can be confusing sometimes...it may leave you wanting to stick your hand in a polar bear's mouth. Don't!! Blogs are only as scary as you let them...and as I heard one elder say, if you punch a polar bear in the nose, it will run away.

In the classroom, Weblogs can be extremely powerful tools; your students will experience a type of global learning that is unique to the 21st century. It is our responsibility, as educators, to learn how to use this resource to its full potential.

You might ask yourself, "how is this relevent to the traditional knowledge we want our children to claim?" What about the traditional way of learning which underscores the concept of IQ? What about Inuglugijaittuq? Although my Inuktitut isn't really great, I was told this refers to 'the collaborative and collective process that emphasizes the interdependence, growth, success, and importance of the group'. What about Pivallianginnarniq?Sivuniksamut ilinniarniq? Aajiqatigiingniq?

...and you know what's great about a blog? You get to read those last few sentences, process the information, then tell me whether this is a correct interpretation. You get to teach me. A class blog should be interactive.

Right now, I would like you to take some time to read 'The Pedagogy of Weblogs' handout that I had provided in the classroom. It gives a list of five attractive traits to such a user-friendly tool:

1. Weblogs are a constructivist tool for learning.
2. Weblogs truly expand the walls of the classroom.
3. Weblogs archive student/teacher learning allowing for greater reflection.
4. Weblogs are democratic tools that support different learning styles.
5. Weblogs enhance the development of expertise in a particular subject.

What do you think? Is this something that has any relevance in a northern context? Perhaps it can be the subject of your first post...

-towya-

NTEP, Year 1...We are here!

The Qikiqtarjuaq NTEP class is finally up and running, and I really think this year's will be a great one. Classes started a few days ago, so we're still getting used to the changes, but I the community has already been so supportive success is surely in our future.

Today we hosted a barbeque for family and friends to celebrate this new beginning. Check out a few of our pictures!

We had a brief scare when we couldn't get the BBQ to start, but eventually our mad skillz got every ready. Here are Eena and Suzie, making sure everything goes as planned.

Yes, the 2 BBQ ladies again.

Dora stayed outside for moral support...doesn't she look cold?!

Lizzie, preparing for her photo...

Lisa Iqqalik gave a wonderful blessing of the food and a big 'thank you' to the community...

...and Towya...sitting back and enjoying the party.

We had a wonderful afternoon, and are looking forward to many more!