Getting Connected: Improving Online Distance Education for rural and remote First Nations

Geographic isolation hinders many First Nation communities’ ability to provide their students with access to K-12 educational services. Online distance education is a delivery model used in various First Nation communities to mitigate the issues of remoteness and accessibility to education services. This study examines the policy levers to support the establishment, expansion, and improvement of online education services for rural and remote First Nations. The study uses a review of academic literature on online distance education (ODE) as it relates to First Nation students, as well as expert interviews to provide a background on the policy issue. Further, an analysis of the gathered data provides various policy options. An evaluation of these options offers a recommendation on the optimal model for First Nations to use for their online distance education programming in order to provide their students access to education services.