BRIGHT Start Booklet

BRIGHT Start A project funded by the Indigenous Targeted Initiatives Fund (ITIF)

2 0 2 4 Prepared by: Lisa Dietrich, Project Lead Centre for Teaching & Learning, Six Nations Polytechnic

Table of Contents Page 2 - Purpose of Project Page 2 - Participating Institutes and Training Centres Page 3 - Project Objectives Page 4 - Acronym Page 5 - Project Details Page 6 - Initial Timelines Page 6 - Module Categories Page 7- Module Topics Page 7 - Module Format Page 8 - Module Completion Page 9 - Module Excerpts Page 12 - Quality Assurance Page 13 - Sample Schedules Page 14 - National Indigenous Education Symposium 2023 Page 15 - Student Feedback 1

Purpose of Project To leverage the expertise of seven Indigenous Institutes and Training Centers to grow a series of in-person and online modules for use during orientation week and throughout the student lifecycle.

To create a retention strategy in the form of a centralized repository of support resources available both online and in a format for in-person delivery, to ease the transition for Indigenous students embarking on their Postsecondary Education (PSE) learning journey.

Participating Institutes and Training Centers

Anishinabek Educational Institute (AEI)

Kenjgewin Teg

Iohahi:io Akwesasne Education & Training Institute

Oshki-PimacheO-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute

Ogwehoweh Skills And Trades Training Centre (OSTTC)

Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP)

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG)

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Project Objectives To encourage communication and collaboration between academic and student support staff to increase confidence.

To provide information about oncampus wellness and academic resources alongside culturally rooted events and activities.

To equip students with the information and tools they need to successfully transition into postsecondary studies.

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Acronym B

Building Cultural Connection: Fostering a sense of identity, pride, and connection to Indigenous culture and heritage.

R

Resilience and Empowerment: Developing resilience, selfconfidence, and empowering students to overcome challenges.

I

Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives: Incorporating Indigenous knowledge, history, and perspectives into the curriculum and learning experiences.

G

Goal Setting and Growth Mindset: Encouraging students to set academic and personal goals, and promoting a growth mindset that embraces continuous learning and improvement.

H

Holistic Well-being: Nurturing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of students, integrating holistic practices rooted in Indigenous traditions.

T

Transition Support: Providing support and resources to help students successfully transition into the school year, ensuring a smooth adjustment and positive academic experience.

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Project Details Modules are designed to take students approximately one hour to move through online or through in-class delivery Each Indigenous Institute/Training Centre creates one module The project represents a focused retention strategy in the form of links to various resources, activities, and workshops (in-person and online) to support students' transition to PSE The development of all project elements is guided by the engagement of student service providers, community Elders, and Indigenous educators connected to the Indigenous Institutes and through Program Advisory Committees Contact information for key support staff including Accessibility Navigator, Student Success Officers, Peer Tutors/Mentors, and Cultural Advisors to be included in one centralized location Six Nations Polytechnic is responsible for Project Management Teaching resources/activities for in-class delivery are included in a hidden file folder within the module in the Learning Management System Indigenous learners benefit from the implementation of supports that build upon existing student orientation practices and follow the principles of Universal Design for Learning Modules are made available for students the week before classes commence and throughout the academic year with schedules advertised on social media

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Initial Timelines May 2023

June 2023

July 2023

Project overview meeting Module topic allocation SNP Template access granted Module development begins

Weekly meetings Module Development

Bi-weekly meetings Module Development

August 2023

September 2023

October 2023 – April 2024

Develop Marketing Materials/ Social Media Promotion Welcome Letter/Create Schedule Deliver BRIGHT Start Training

Deliver BRIGHT Start Training Collect feedback Project team meeting to discuss modifications as per feedback

Continue Ongoing Delivery Collect Feedback Improve Curriculum Resources Assess Successes

Module Categories

Academic

Wellness

Career Preparation

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Module Topics Goal Setting for Post-Secondary Success Identity and Connection to Community Digital Fluency: An Introduction to College/University Technology Wellness Toolkit Being Safe Online Importance of Self-Care Resume Building and Career Preparedness Academic Toolkit: Effective Note-taking, Study Strategies, & Exam Preparation Coping with Stress These are the initial core modules. Each Indigenous Institute continues to build out its repository of modules.

Module Format Modules contain an online version and offer a fully formed delivery model for in-class facilitation complete with a Lesson Plan, PowerPoint, and suggested activities Facilitators are welcome to utilize previously created materials or modify those provided Export can accommodate multiple LMS formats Educational programming is created collaboratively, to deliver content grounded in Indigenous communities and cultures

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Module Format

1. Learning Outcomes

2. Read

3. Watch

4. Resources

5. Activity

6. Checklist

7. Module Survey

8. In-class Resources for Facilitators

Module Completion Students will self-select the modules they are most interested in learning, and they will have the option to complete each module online or in person Institutional incentives can include badge allocation to promote engagement as well as contests and giveaways for session attendance Modules are not mandatory however students are strongly encouraged to complete online and/or attend sessions to improve academic outcomes as well as to meet and engage with campus staff/peers Delivery of modules continues at specific times throughout the year (e.g.: lunch and learns) and can be delivered to specific classes as required

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Quality Assurance END OF MODULE SURVEYS To be completed by students immediately following module delivery (in-class) DATA ANALYTICS Captured via the LMS for Online version GRADUATE SURVEYS Reflective feedback from graduates as to how modules prepared them for PSE STUDENT SUCCESS SURVEYS Targeted questions will capture students’ reception of modules

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Sample Schedule: Pre-Start-Up

Sample Schedule: Ongoing Targeted Sessions

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National Indigenous Education Symposium 2023 Presenters

Kelly Dejong Academic Manager Iohahi:io

Lisa Dietrich Unit Manager – Centre for Teaching & Learning, Six Nations Polytechnic

Kelly Fossum Program Coordinator, OshkiPimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute

Megan Stevens Student Wellness Coordinator, Anishinabek Educational Institute

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Student Feedback https://youtu.be/HwUPnp3e36U

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