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An Exploration of Impacts of a Culturally Relevant Online Orientation Course for Indigenous American Students at a Tribal College

  • Melanie F Wilson

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

Abstract

The problem addressed was the low level of technology skills and access to technology among Native American students entering tribal colleges. The purpose of the quantitative study was to examine the impact of the culturally relevant Jenzabar Online Orientation Course on tribal college students’ preparedness for participation in online courses and use of the learning management system (LMS). Impact of the orientation course as well as the impact of the 7 Anishinaabe cultural values incorporated into the course were examined. Data were collected by administering a survey. Participants for the study were 45 freshmen and transfer students at the target tribal college who completed the 2016- 2017 Jenzabar Online Orientation Course. A descriptive analysis of the data revealed that the Jenzabar Online Orientation Course positively impacted students’ preparedness for participation in online coursework and had an overall positive impact on students’ understanding of the seven Anishinaabe values. The inclusion of the 7 Anishinaabe values in the Jenzabar Online Orientation Course had a moderate to high impact on students’ behaviors while using the LMS for online coursework and related activities.
Date of AwardDec 31 2016
Original languageEnglish
SupervisorJames Ferguson (Supervisor), Donald C. Lueder (Advisor) & Lynne Schrum (Advisor)

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