The Certificate in Aboriginal Health and Community Administration provides an excellent example of flexible learning and continuing professional development for Indigenous adult learners that links campus with community and workplace needs. Offered in partnership between the University of British Columbia Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Heath and University of British Columbia Continuing Studies, this blended-learning program draws approximately two-dozen learners annually from urban and rural settings who are interested in building administration skills in communication, leadership, human resources, information management, policy development and research, in order to strengthen the health and capacity of Indigenous communities. In this session, the certificate partners will use group discussion and case studies to highlight the design elements that facilitate the success of the program for this group of learners, noting how Indigenous approaches to teaching and learning are woven throughout the ten-month, blended-learning experience. They will explore the benefits of the online format (Kawalilak, Wells, Connell & Beamer, 2012) and how having Elders and instructors grounded in Indigenous andragogy leading the sessions and opening circles, ensures there is space for the learners to bring their whole selves to the experiential residential components.(Chase, Charnley & McLean, 2010) The presenters will outline how the program design supports participants to bring their extensive work experience to the courses, as they integrate and apply the new concepts to their home communities through the assignments. Case studies highlighting challenging moments in program implementation will also be shared for group discussion, analysis and consideration for those thinking of designing similar programs at their home institutions.
Chase, M, Charnley, K. & McLean, S. (2010). Recognizing Aboriginal oral tradition through blended learning: A success story. In F. Sudweeks, H. Hrachovec & C. Ess, (Eds). Proceedings Cultural Attitudes Towards Communication and Technology (pp.19-27). Murdoch, Australia: Murdoch University.
Kawalilak, C., Wells, N., Connell, L. & Beamer, K. (2012). E-learning access, opportunities, and challenges for Aboriginal adult learners located in rural communities. College Quarterly, 15 (2).
