In Canada, Indigenous people have a lower high school completion rate than the completion rate for non-Indigenous people. This leads to unemployment, poverty and unrealized potential in Canada’s fastest-growing demographic.
In 2000, members of the Sunchild First Nation considered the lack of education in their community and decided alternative methods were needed to reach Indigenous students. They discovered that:
- Indigenous students faced unique challenges including family and legal situations, time away from class and relocating to new homes.
- Many Indigenous students were adults. These students wanted to upgrade and build a better future while meeting their current schedules and responsibilities.
Any successful education program would have to overcome these challenges with a new way of teaching. In addition, high quality education and experienced teachers would have to be brought to small numbers of students in remote locations — without exceeding limited education budgets.
The SCcyber E-Learning model was adopted as a solution.
A MODEL OF SUCCESS
SCcyber E-Learning is different from conventional distance learning programs in that it creates accountability and interaction between student and teacher. Students are able to be logged into Zoom during frequently scheduled homework help times and can speak with the teacher through text messaging or a microphone and use tools such as a shared whiteboard to get help on questions. In most cases, our students work from a classroom environment in their home community where a Mentor addresses technical concerns and ensures student participation. Students may also communicate with their teacher via email or phone to get help with their courses.
Experienced teachers with a passion for teaching Indigenous students head the online classes, providing a level of education that is the same as or better than that found in urban schools. Students who miss class time or change residences can easily catch up by reviewing archived classes. This system also allows students to work at a comfortable pace. Achievement is tracked on a weekly basis so that intervention and support can be provided as soon as it becomes necessary.
The SCcyber E-Learning Community has met with remarkable success over more than two decades of operation. In record numbers, students have re-entered the school system and stayed in school. They’re gaining valuable experience with computers, graduating and moving on to rewarding jobs or post-secondary education.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE
Graduates of the SCcyber E-Learning Community are educated and competent — the kind of employees who make corporations successful. When companies contribute to the SCcyber program, they help to create skilled candidates for scholarships, advanced training and employment. In this way, they are investing in their own future.
Because SCcyber E-Learning creates such positive results, corporate sponsors are excited about being part of the program. More and more corporations are signing on to support First Nation schools.
FIND OUT MORE
For more information about the SCcyber E-Learning community, contact SCcyber principal, Karol Kamieniecki, via email at kam@sccyber.net or phone at 1.780.836.5544
A complete list of available courses can be found on this web site.
Courses follow and are accredited and approved by Alberta Education and lead to the Alberta High School Diploma.