NTEP News

Page 1

Nunavut Arctic College

NTEP News

Faculty of Education

Nunavut Teacher Education Program 2011-2012

Cover: NTEP students from Iqaluit, Nunavut attended a spring course at the University of Regina (see p. 14).


D

irector’s Message For the 2011 – 2012 Academic Year

and challenging to a degree that will prompt a love of learning. Therefore, we need to ensure that the program provides a profitable and satisfying experience for our students. Our program, from its foundation, has stressed academic excellence and linguistic/cultural awareness—in this there is no compromise or change. Nunavut Teacher Education Program can take pride in its highly qualified and dedicated faculty. These educators are concerned and they view Brian Manning, Director of Education education as a partnership Programs, NTEP between Nunavut Arctic College and the communities we We at Nunavut Arctic College serve. Over the years, the spirit and the Nunavut Teacher Eduand tradition that is NTEP has cation Program, continue with played a key role in shaping the our efforts to enhance learning educational experience. Each opportunities for the students class profits from the example entrusted to our care. of those who have gone before Our program’s reputation and them. Ours has been a tradisuccess rest, in large measure, tion of students committed to on faculty concern and involve- the proposition that involvement. We seek to afford each ment in NTEP carries with it the student an education commen- obligation to do the best they surate with his or her abilities, can. These are important years relevant to Nunavut’s needs, and it is reassuring to work with

students who see a challenge in their potential—to become the best they can. Consequently, our goal remains to provide the best possible education for each student. Each year brings with it new challenges and fresh opportunities for each of us to grow as professionals. So, we embark with confidence and a sense of purpose. If we continue to work with determination, direction and drive our students will grow in appreciation of our efforts. We have to embrace the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Chief among them is Pijitsirniq—providing a service.

The Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP), in partnership with the University of Regina, Faculty of Education, offers a campus- and community-based program which prepares Inuit to become classroom teachers in Nunavut schools. NTEP’s emphasis is on training primary and elementary teachers, but a middle years program is currently being developed. The program has a strong focus on practice and theory which is learned in courses and then applied in classroom situations through observation and teaching.

Page 2


Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

Table of Contents Director’s Message

Monica Ittusardjuat retired December 31, 2012. For many years, Monica taught Inuktitut and Culture with NTEP, as well as serving in the role of Acting Director for 2010-2011. She has 31 grandchildren and two great grandchildren to enjoy in her retirement. Qujannamiik, Monica!

NTEP Community Learning Centres map Greetings from the NTEP Community Learning Centres Graduation moments Year 3 Iqaluit students take ERDG 215 course at the U of R Middle years program development Symposium 2012 Symposium reflections Graduates of NTEP: Role models for current NTEP students Award winning film: Amaqqut Nunaat Science online Common Insects of Nunavut: A new reference book

2 4 6 -11 12-13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20

Third Year Nunavut Teacher Education Class at Nunavut Arctic College, Nunatta Campus, Iqaluit held an Art Exhibit to profile some of the styles they had studied under the direction of our Fine Arts faculty member, Gyu Oh.

Page 3


NTEP

Community Learning Centres map

The 2011-2012 Academic Year

Cambridge Bay Kugluktuk

Margaret Bentham (Yr. 4) Amaiya Emingak (Fdn)

Tara Muise (Yr. 2) Gjoa Haven

Susan Dunn (Yr. 1 Kugluktuk

Cambridge Bay

Gjoa Haven

Baker Lake

Eva Noah (Yr. 2)

Northwest Territories

Baker Lake

Rankin Inlet Rankin Inlet

Mike Pickles (Yr. 4) Saskatchewan

Page 4

Manitoba


1)

Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

Nunavut

Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet

Ainsley Hunt (Yr. 2)

Pond Inlet

Qikiqtarjuaq

Craig Decker (Yr. 2) Baffin Island Hall Beach

Stephen Snowball (Fdn) Hall Beach

Pangnirtung

Qikiqtarjuaq

Amy McCall (Yr. 2)

Pangnirtung Cape Dorset

Eileen James Je (Yr. 2)

Cape Dorset Iqaluit Iqaluit (Yr. 1-4)

Quebec

Hudson Bay

Monica Ittusardjuat (Retired Dec. 2011), Leigh Clark (Chairperson, Professional Standards), Kaviq Kaluraq (Mathematics/ Science Instructor), Andrea Burry (Education Psychology Instructor), Mary Flaherty (Educational Professional Studies), Jim Legge (NTEP Manager, Qikiqtaaluk), Ooraima Holland (Inuktitut/Culture) Neil Christopher (Educational Media/ Social Sciences)

Photos credit: Vi Maeers

Page 5


G

reetings from the NTEP Community Learning Centres

Pangnirtung Community Learning Centre Instructor: Amy McCall (Year 2) especially enjoyed the Mayan number system.” –Sheepa Kuluguqtuq “I was happy to take the Physical Education course-it involved selfdirected physical activity for thirty minutes each day. This has made a very big difference in my life.” –Jeanie Nakashuk

Pangnirtung’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program: (Front row, l-r) Sheepa Nowyook, Sheepa Kuluguqtuk, Jeanie Nakashuk, and Rita Nookiguak; (Back row, l-r) Tim Alivaktuk, Lynn Kilabuk, Mary Etuangat, Alice Kuluguqtuk, Kelly Karpik, and Amy McCall (Instructor). Missing from photo: Maggie Ishulutuk Students in Pangnirtung have feelings of accomplishment, pride, and nervousness knowing that in 2 short years they will realize their dreams of becoming classroom teachers. Year 2 has been full of challenges and rewards. Students had the wonderful experience of participating in an online pilot project with students from four other communities across

the territory, and were able to create ties and share work. Some highlights for the class throughout the year: “I learned the value of exercise.” – Tim Alivaktuk who participated in Movement Education “I liked math this year, it was very interesting and challenging. I

“Finishing year two and moving forward is my highlight!” –Rita Nookiguak “I enjoyed the whole year, especially working with other students in different communities while taking Ecological Studies.” –Lynn Kilabuk “I really enjoyed Movement Education and also learning how to adapt activities for children with special needs.” –Alice Kuluguqtuq The students are anticipating a productive and positive experience.

Baker Lake Community Learning Centre Instructor: Eva Noah (Year 2)

Top Left Photo: Baker Lake’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program: (Front row, l-r) Joanne Quinanqnaq, Eva Noah (Instructor), Jeannie Tapatai; (Back row) Marvin Mannik, Maggie Perkison, Leah Aittauq, Sandy Tagoona, and Sara Arnirniq. Missing from photo: Mary Phillips. Top Right Photo: Sandy Tagoona presenting her author profile to her classmates. Baker Lake NTEP students finished off their year having read 13 chapters from Essentials of Childrens’ Literature. They also read 40 books

and shared one book per day to the whole group. They wrote wo radio plays, five book summaries, and one critique along with their

Page 6

reflective journals. Everyone contributed well during class discussions and book sharing.


Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

Pond Inlet Community Learning Centre Instructor: Ainsley Hunt (Year 2)

Pond Inlet’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program: (l-r) Ainsley Hunt (Instructor), Helen Apak Qamaniq, Natasha Mablick, (standing) Reoma Pewatualuk, Reepa Ootoova, and Eleanore Arreak Pond Inlet NTEP just wrapped up its 2nd year. After months dedicated to coursework and studying, the students are eager to spend some much needed time with family and friends and to get out on the land. There were a few highlights from our year that the students feel really contributed to making it successful. In February, the students took part in a pilot project for an ecological studies course. This course was offered

online and enabled them to be connected with other NTEP students and faculty in four other communities through a virtual classroom. Being a class of only five students, this virtual classroom enriched their learning as they were able to share ideas with a much larger group of students. Also, the students performed a Readers Theatre for children at the Nattinnak Centre. For this performance, the students wrote a script for a traditional Inuit legend

and performed it in Inuktitut to an audience of approximately 50 captivated and engaged children. Another highlight for the year was the opportunities the students had to visit classrooms at the elementary school. During these visits, the students were able to apply the concepts and practice the pedagogy they were learning in their courses. With family and friends, we ended the year by celebrating the successes of the past 9 months, sharing food, stories, laughter and our goals for Year 3 of the program. On Friday, March 23rd the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Federal Minister of Health, was in Pond Inlet for the opening of our new arena (see photo below). She took some time out of her busy schedule to come by the Community Learning Centre to meet the students from the three Nunavut Arctic College programs running there (Nunavut Teacher Education Program; Environmental Technology Program; and Office Administration).

(Left to right): Ainsley Hunt (NTEP: Instructorr), Reoma Pewatualuk, Natasha Mablick, Honorable Leona Aglukkaq, and Eleanore Arreak. Page 7


Greetings from the NTEP Learning Community Centres continued

Cape Dorset Community Learning Centre Instructor: Eileen James Je (Year 2)

Photo Top Left: Cape Dorset’s Teacher Education Program:( Front Row, l-r) Mary Taukie, Ningiukuluk Teevee, Saizula Putuguq, Saimaiyu Akesuk; (Back row) Eileen James Je (Instructor), Rebecca Hutchings, Jefferson Uttak, Mary Laisa , and Silaqqi Alaria. Photo Top Right: Appreciation Day for the Elders was held for Elders who were invited into the classroom for various courses throughout the year. Though Cape Dorset students in 2nd year did not have an opportunity for practicum, this did not keep them away from the schools. They participated in Sam Pudlat school winter carnival activities, shared their stories

created in Children’s Literature class and also performed their Reader’s Theatre production to elders in the community. In celebration of Education Week and Canadian Children’s Book Week, students invited

award-winning children’s author, Allan Stratton to our class. The course students were learning at that time was called “The Teaching of Writing” and having a noted author in the classroom was a welcome resource.

Rankin Inlet Community Learning Centre Instructor: Mike Pickles (Year 4)

Photo Top Left: Rankin Inlet’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program: (Front row, l-r): Morris Manilak; (Back row) Kayylyn Kusugak, Laura Merritt, Ellen Rumbolt, and Blandina Airut Photos Top Right: Year 4 student interns in Rankin Inlet are pictured in their practicum experience :(First row, left) Morris Manilak and (right) Kayylynn Kusugak; (Second row) (left) Blandina Airutand and (right) Laura Merritt Two Photos Bottom Right: (left) Morris Manilak with students and (right) Ellen Rumbolt and Blandina Airut.

Page 8


Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

Hall Beach Community Learning Centre Instructor: Stephen Snowball (Foundation Year) Hall Beach’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program: Louise Flaherty (Baffin Coordinator), Steve Snowball (Instructor), Alice, Stacey, Tristanne, Connie, Marlene, and Manasie Missing from photo: Linda and Suzanne

Gjoa Haven Community Learning Centre Instructor: Susan Dunn (Year 1) Gjoa Haven’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program: (Front row, l-r) Susan Dunn (NTEP Instructor), Eleanor Cipriano, Susie Ikkutisluk, and Ken Bell (NTEP Instructor); (Back row) Rita Porter, Catherine Eleehetook, Abby Anavilok, Rhonda Nimiqtaqtuq, and Patty Qamukkaq

Qikiqtarjuak Community Learning Centre Instructor: Craig Decker (Year 2) Qikiqtarjuak’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program: (Front row, l-r) Eena Qappik, Lisa Kooneeliusie; (Back row) Tina Alookie with Mike Pickles (NTEP Instructor). Missing from photo: Lisarala Kooneeliusie

Page 9


Greetings from the NTEP Learning Community Centres continued

Cambridge Bay Community Learning Centre Margaret Bentham (Year 4)

Doris Cambridge Bay’s Year 4 Teacher Education Program: (Front row, l-r) Daisy Evegetok, Emma Pauloosie, Monica Kigutak, Doris Angohiatok; (Back row) Terry Aknavigak, Brenda Manning (NTEP English Instructor), Fiona Buchan-Corey (Kivalliq Dean), Jim Legge (Manager, NTEP)

Monica Kullik Ilihakvik staff and NTEP interns: (Front row) Mary Gillis (Teacher), Monica Kigutak (Intern), Doris Angohiatok ( Intern), Ruth Roberts (Teacher), and Cathy Rowan (Principal); (Back row) Daisy Eyegetok (Intern), Sheldon Reid (Teacher), Roni Ohokannoak (Vice Principal), and Brian Manning.

Daisy Daisy Dyer-Eyegetok, a 4th-year NTEP student in Cambridge Bay was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for dedication and contributions to community. Pictured are Commissioner Edna Elias (left), Daisy Dyer-Eyegetok (center), and MLA Keith Peterson. Page 10


Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

Cambridge Bay Instructor: Amaiya Emingak (Foundation Year) Cambridge Bay’s Foundation Nunavut Teacher Education Program: (Front row, l-r) Abbey Kakkianiun (Kugaaruk), Nadine Evetalegak (Cambridge Bay/ Iqaluktuuttiaq), Bella Kapolak (Bathurst Inlet/Kingaut), and Kathy Ullulaq (Gjoa Haven/Uqhuqtuuq); (Back row) Brian Manning and Jim Legge

Kugluktuk Community Learning Centre Instructor: Tara Muise (Year 2)

Top Left: Kugluktuk’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program: Nuka Bolt, Tara Muise, (Instructor), David Topilak, Melissa MacDonald. Top Right: Students and Dignitaries: (l-r) Nuka Bolt (NTEP Student), Frank Pearce (Board Chairman, NAC), Michael Shouldice (President, NAC), and David Topilak (NTEP Student). Bottom Right: In April, the Board members of Nunavut Arctic College and NTEP students met together at Kan’nguayaq Illihavik Centre.

Iqaluit, Nunnatta Campus (Year 3)

Photo Left: Iqaluit’s Year 3 Nunavut Teacher Education Program: (l-r) Craig Decker (NTEP Instructor) and students: Gloria Putumiraqtuq, Cassie Wilson, Nadia Mike-Dulmage, Stuart Crose, Ashleigh Wesley, and Joanne Peters. Photo Right: In April, the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program was delivered at Nunatta Campus, Iqaluit: (Front row, l-r) ASIST Team: Tutalik Boychuck, Malaya Qaunirq Chapman, and Jack Hicks; (Second row) Joanne Peters (NTEP), Andrea Burry (NTEP Instructor), Gloria Putumiraqtuq (NTEP), and Cassandra Wilson (NTEP); (Back Row) Ashley Wesley (NTEP), Nadia Mike Dulmage (NTEP), and Stuart Crose (NTEP). Page 11


G

raduation moments

Iqaluit

Top Left: Jolene Itkilik (NTEP) the recipient of the Teacher Practicum Award. Top Right: NTEP graduates Dwayne Haqpi, Jolene Itkilik, Emily Joanasie with Michael Shouldice (President, Nunavut Arctic College). Bottom Left: Emily Joanasie, Dwayne Haqpi, and Jolene Itkilik. Bottom Right: Brian Manning (Director, Education Programs, NAC), James McNinch (Dean, Faculty of Education, U of R), and Michael Shouldice (President, NAC)

Rankin Inlet

Top Left: Kayylyn Kusugak receives the Inuit Language Proficiency Award from Brandi Rochelle (Registrar, NAC). Top Right: (Front row, l-r) Laura Merritt, Blandina Airut, and Kayylyn Kusugak; (Back row) Hon. Daniel Shewchuk (Minister, NAC); James Legge (Manager, NTEP); Morris Manilak; Mike Pickles (NTEP Faculty); Michael Shouldice (President, NNAC); James McNinch (Dean of Education, U of R) Bottom Left: Laura Merritt and Blandina Airut; (Back row) Morris Manilak and Kayylyn Kusugak. Bottom Right: Laura Merritt receives the NTA award for Highest Academic Performance in the B.Ed. program for Nunavut and the Teaching Practicum Award for the Kivalliq Region.

Continued on page 13

Page 12


Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

Cambridge Bay Photo Top: (l-r) Doris Angohiatok, Monica Kigutak, Emma Pauloosie, and Daisy Eyegetok. Emma Pauloosie is the recipient of the Inuit Language Proficiency Award for Kitikmeot Campus

Bottom Left: James McNinch (Dean, Faculty of Education, U of R), Monica Kigutak receiving Teacher Practicum Award for the Kitikmeot Region. This award and cheque for $250 is sponsored by the Kitikmeot Regional School Operations. Monica also won the Inuit Language Proficiency Award sponsored by Kenn Harper, Arctic Ventures. Bottom Right: Daisy Eyetok receiving the Pijitsirniq Ward (Volunteerism and Service). Presenting the award of $250 is James Legge (Manager, NTEP).

Congratulations GraduatingClass of 2012

Page 13


Y

ear 3 Iqaluit students take ERDG 215 course at the U of R

Introductions and welcome breakfast included a presentation by Miali Coley

ERDG 215 class with instructors (Leigh Clark, NTEP; Karen Lind, U of R)

Joanne Peters, Stuart Crose, Ashleigh Wesley, Cassie Wilson, and Nadia Mike-Dulmage at the U of R

Ashleigh Wesley, Cassie Wilson, Miali Coley (U of R, B.Ed. student from Nunavut), and Nadia Mike-Dulmage at Mother Teresa Middle School

Cassie Wilson Joanne Peters, Ashleigh Wesley, Nadia Mike-Dulmage, Stuart Crose, and Leigh Clark (Instructor) at Albert Community School

Joanne Peters with Mother Teresa Middle School students

In May 2012, Year 3 Iqaluit campus NTEP students took ERDG 215 at the University of Regina. Their time in Regina included classtime with Instructor, Karen Lind, along with field experiences such as visits to

Mother Teresa Middle School and Albert Community School. Students enjoyed tours of Gabriel Dumont Library, and First Nations University of Canada. The students also joined the ELIB 216 class for

Page 14

two evening classes. NTEP Faculty, Leigh Clark accompanied the students. Michael Tymchak, Julie Machnaik, and Rochelle Fenwick (Faculty of Education, U of R) were involved in organizing this event.


M

Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

iddle years program development

Photos: In the first week of May, Bonita Tucker, Co-Chair of 7-9 Teacher Education Program Working Group, travelled to the U of R to meet with Julie Machnaik, Faculty of Education, U of R, NTEP Liaison. They met to discuss recommendations for the Elementary Program, Middle Years (7-9) Concentration Group and to design possible implementation plans to begin Fall 2012.

(L-R): Michael Shouldice , President, NAC; Jim Legge, Co-Chair, Manager, NTEP; Mike MacIntyre, Kitikmeot Region Representative; Nancy Makpah, Kivalliq Region Representative; Trina Sallerina, Kitikmeot Region Representative; Bonita Tucker, Co-Chair, Curriculum and School Services; Ainsley Hunt, NTEP; and Heather Campbell, Nunavut Teacher’s Association. Missing from the photo are: Julie Machnaik, University of Regina and Denise Cooper, Kivalliq Region Representative. This academic year, there has been increased encouragement and emphasis pertaining to the development of a Middle School Education delivery system. The focus of this program is to increase the number of bilingual (Inuktitut/English) teachers prepared to teach at the 7-9 grade level in Nunavut. Consequently, a Grades 7-9 Teacher Education Working

Group was established to study and present proposals to the partnership Committee. The working group was composed of representatives from NTEP/Nunavut Arctic College, the Department of Education, the University of Regina, Nunavut Teacher’s Association, and Kivalliq and Kitikmeot teacher representatives. Two chairpersons were appointed to lead the discussions: Jim Legge

Page 15

(Manager: NTEP) and Bonita Tucker (Middle Years Teacher Training Coordinator / Curriculum and School Services, Dept. of Education). The Elementary Program with a Middle Years Concentration begins in fall 2012 with full implementation planned for fall 2015.


S

ymposium 2012 The Annual NTEP Symposium was held February 22- 24, 2012 in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Michael Tymchak (Director, SIDRU, U of R), Vi Maeers (U of R), Tracey MacMillan (Principal , Nakasuk School), and Julie Machnaik (U or R)

Jim Legge (NTEP Program Manager) and Leigh Clark (NTEP Faculty)

Louise Flaherty (NTEP)

Emile Hatch (Exec. Director, NTA), Michael Tymchak (Director, SIDRU), and Robin Langill (President, NTA)

Mary Flaherty (NTEP, EPS Faculty), Julie Machnaik (NTEP Liaison, U of R), Tracey MacMillan (Principal , Nakasuk School) and Robin Langill (President, NTA)

Symposium participants

Page 16

Honourable Eva Aariak, Premier of Nunavut, Minister of Education


Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

S

ymposium reflections

“What I’ve heard”: Summary of the Day by Linda Pemik, Senior Academic Officer/NAC

Education Act calls for 250 bilingual, bi-cultural teachers by 2019, a mere 7 years from now. We also heard that we are projecting 62 grads for next year, a goodly number and more to follow in the coming years, but there will be a huge shortfall—where are these new bilingual teachers going to come from? We also heard from our President, that our mandate is greater than simply training teachers—we are called upon to prepare our grads to be a major tool in the preservations of language and culture, or as he put it “the preservation of Inuit intellectual property” and we are to do this in the midst of changing the social landscape, where youth are bombarded on all sides by pressures to conform to the dominant mainstream culture. We heard about the need and value of partnerships. No one institution can accomplish these tasks. We need the synergy that comes from creative, dynamic partnerships—working with our University partners, the Department of Education, in fact with the entire Government of Nunavut, and of course the Nunavut Teachers’ Association, and the schools and communities where we and our students live and work. We heard a number of presenters talk about preparing our graduates to be ABLE teachers—there were many ideas presented. I have picked only a few that stood out for me:

I am going to try and synthesize what stands out for me as the key points— a verbal mash-up as it were. First, we heard from the Premier who told us that she sees NTEP as a vehicle to help Nunavummiut realize the promise of Nunavut. Later, Kathy Okpik also reminded us about that dream of Nunavut and how it came about as more than 40 years ago a handful of visionaries, Inuit leaders, were not afraid to be movers and shakers, were not afraid to stand up and stand out. We all know that this was accomplished often at great personal cost for many of these leaders; we must keep on working towards making that dream a reality, and that we need to prepare our NTEP grads to take on a leadership role in their schools, their communities, and in Nunavut. The Premier also reminded us that the continued development of Nunavut calls for a weaving together of two • sets of expectations based on two very distinct worldviews. • In response to this integration of worldviews, the education system is faced with a huge challenge: the new

Graduating teachers need to hold high expectations for themselves and their students. They need management skills— self-management, time management, and the ability to manage the planning and curriculum.

Page 17

• • •

The need to be able to work together—TEAMWORK, to work collaboratively. To have confidence , tempered with humility. To be the new “movers and shakers” the leaders of today and tomorrow.

Our graduates need to be able to take risks and have the confidence to speak up and stand out on occasion, actions that may challenge traditional Inuit expectations or at least the postcolonial learned behaviour that may be perceived as self-aggrandizement. Able grads need the ability to adapt and change in a world where change is the constant, as Brian mentioned; they need to be able to accept differing opinions and respect diversity, not only between races but also accept differences between Inuit. As a College and the home of NTEP, we need to provide the bi-cultural, bilingual learning environment that nurtures the growth of confident, lifelong learners who will take their place as leaders in our communities and schools. We as faculty, administrators , and managers need to model the empathy and passion that Julie spoke of today, so that our students will in turn pass it on to their students, and so on and so on....“We are all in this together if we want to make a change” Reprinted from http://symposium2012.uregina.wikispaces.net/ Symposium+Connections


G

raduates of NTEP: Role models for current NTEP students

Leeveena Nuyalia and Morty Alooloo The focus of Education Programs and the Nunavut Teacher Education Program, in particular, is to

A

provide quality teaching personnel for education institutions in Nunavut. Two recent graduates of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program are making a positive contribution to Education in the Territory. Leeveena Nuyalia (2010) and Morty Alooloo (2011) are educators at Nakasuk School, Iqaluit. Both graduated with Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Regina and Nunavut Arctic College. Leeveena Nuyalia has just completed her first year as Vice Principal of Nakasuk School— the largest Primary/Elementary School in Nunavut. Morty Alooloo, Elementary Teacher, Nakasuk School, has just taken on a role

with the annual Education Leadership Program (ELP) sponsored by the Department of Education. In that capacity, she will mentor those who want to take on administrative positions in Education in Nunavut. Leeveena and Morty serve as positive role models for students currently enrolled in the Nunavut Teacher Education Program at Nunavut Arctic College. Additionally, their energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism are reflective of their commitment to providing an enriched learning environment for the students entrusted to their care.

ward winning film: Amaqqut Nunaat

Amaqqut Nunaat (The Country of Wolves) is a film inspired by and dedicated to the late author and Arviat Elder, Mark Kalluak. This traditional Inuit story is about two brothers who are adrift on a block of ice while hunting for seal. They drift ashore, finding a strange land in which the men can transform into dangerous wolves. This film was produced by Louise Flaherty and directed by Neil Christopher (both are NTEP faculty) of Inhabit Media. Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, writes that the

film, “celebrated its North American premiere at the imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival last October in Toronto....It was awarded with the honours of Best Canadian Short Drama and the Cynthia-Lickers Sage Award for Emerging Talent, Best Animation at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, California, Best Animated Film at the SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival in Rhode Island, USA, Best Narrative Short at the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival in Austin, Texas. [The film] has been shown at film festivals across Canada and around the

Page 18

world. From places like Quebec, Ohio; California; Colorado; the Yukon; Alaska, Ontario, Scotland and Finland; this film is introducing Inuit stories and legends to audiences all over the world!” (Quote retrieved from www.nunavutecho.ca)


Nunavut Teacher Education Program NTEP News 2011 - 2012

S

cience online

By Kaviq Kaluraq, NTEP Math and Science Instructor

(L-R) David Jr. Korgak , Caroline Meeko, Elissa Sakariassen (Nursing Instructor), and Nadia Sammurtok During the spring session, the Year 1 Iqaluit students in Human Biology experienced blended learning. Course instruction was done on campus and coursework was completed online through the textbook publishers Learning Management System (LMS). There were six students in the course who had not previously taken a course in this format. Students were required to register for a course social networking site and the course LMS site. We used the previously introduced Ning platform as a means of regular communication. With the course LMS site, students had access to all of their course evaluation material such as their research questions, labs, practice assignments, and tests. Other features of the site are the options to link Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds from relevant sites, create website bookmarks, and record lectures. The use of both sites allowed the students to submit

(L-R) Caroline Meeko, Nadia Saamurtok, Louisa Meeko; (Back row), Florence Alooloo (front), Elissa Sakariassen (Nursing Instructor), and David Jr. Korgak

paperless work and share their thoughts. The use of a social site extends student sharing and communication opportunities. They also completed virtual lab activities that were developed for the course textbook. The students were assigned virtual labs and one of them was on blood pressure. The virtual labs are developed to do everything from introduce a topic, explain instructions, demonstrate a lab, and write a lab report. To fill the lack of real life experience from the virtual lab, we had a nursing instructor, Elissa Sakariassen, demonstrate and explain to the class: • • •

how to take blood pressure identify and explain factors that may affect a patient’s blood pressure how to maintain a healthy blood pressure

The students enjoyed the experience and we look forward to col-

laborating more with the nursing program and hope to collaborate with others. The LMS program we used, called CONNECT, was developed by McGraw-Hill Publishers. With the LMS, textbook, and companion site, there are questions already developed by the publisher that are well organized and categorized in various ways including categorization using Bloom’s Taxonomy. The course material can be transferred electronically through the LMS to make it available to share with others to address the requirement for consistency and standards. Using the assessment section, and transferring of material for courses taught asynchronously, we can start to build course material and address the need for more bilingual instruction and evaluation. The final exam was also completed online which allows course exams to become standardized for content courses. The program Continued on page 20

Page 19


Science Online continued

course evaluation form was generated online for students to complete electronically with instantaneous feedback. Outlook

For the 2012-1203 academic year, NTEP will make more use of online tools. Some of our goals for the year are to: •

register all NTEP staff and students on NTEP Online, allow instructors to make use

of the site for course delivery, emphasize and explore the availability of learning management tools from various publishers, deliver at least two courses online in two communities, and build bilingual instruction and assessment material for Human Biology

learners and technologically literate teachers. Taking a step forward in online learning and technology adaptation will start to develop those skills. It is an exciting prospect that will serve to benefit our staff, students, and Nunavummiut.

Our students and potential students need to be equipped with skills to be independent

C

ommon Insects of Nunavut: A new reference book

Common Insects of Nunavut by Carolyn Mallory is an Inuktitut and English publication which brings together science knowledge and Inuit traditional knowledge on

many of the insects that an be found in Nunavut. The book contains hundreds of color photographs and black-line illustrations which will help students identify and learn about these important members of the Arctic ecosystem. The book is currently being distributed across Nunavut by the Department of Education. The Common Insects of Nunavut book project was a large undertaking that was made possible by the cooperation of many depart-

ments and organizations in Nunavut, including Nunavut Arctic College, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, the Department of Education, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Nunavut Bilingual Education Society, and Inhabit Media Inc. The Common Insects of Nunavut project was managed by a team that included two Nunavut Teacher Education Program faculty members.

A publication of SIDRU, Faculty of Education, University of Regina Editorial Team: Kaviq Kaluraq (NTEP), Shuana Niessen (U of R) Photo credits: Brian Manning, Julie Machnaik, Vi Maeers, Shuana Niessen Thanks to Brian Manning for updates and photographs throughout the year. Page 20


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.