Most training programs in Nunavut end with a round of handshakes and a coffee. The ground-breaking course that wrapped up just before Christmas, however, concluded with a string of happy-face emoticons, as more than a dozen adult students from across Nunavut completed Introduction to Northern Government – on their computers.
The three-week course provided an overview the structure, history and operation of territorial and municipal governments. Students included municipal and government employees from every regions of Nunavut. For roughly three hours per day they participated in online discussion groups, joined presentations from a facilitator thousands of kilometres away, and worked print, video and audio material posted on a special website.
According to Jason Brown, Director of Customized Training for Nunavut Arctic College, the course actually generated more participation than a traditional classroom delivery. “We had very little turnover and an unusually high completion rate,” says Brown, “And at a fraction of the delivery cost we’re used to seeing for a standard workshop.”
The success of the program surprised even its instructor, Michelle Turpin of Aarluk Consulting. An experienced teacher, Turpin gives credit for the success to her students, and to the innovative teaching tools and techniques available through the new learning platform.
“The biggest challenge for learners is trying to connect as a group, and frankly, I was nervous,” she admits. “But within five minutes everyone was experimenting with the new software, laughing, asking questions, and chatting online – and learning. It was a great group, and a great experience.”
Introduction to Northern Government is the first of five courses to be offered online over the next three months, as part of the popular Municipal Government Program (MGP). Additional courses scheduled for delivery this winter include Management Communications, Human Resources, Public Sector Finance, and an Introduction to Computers.
The MGP was launched by the Municipal Training Organization (MTO) and Nunavut Arctic College in September 2004. A combination of five core courses and five specialty courses earns Municipal Government Certification for learners in their chosen profession. Over 1,000 Nunavummiut have participated in courses since the program started.
The Nunavut Municipal Training Organization (MTO) is a non-profit society formed as a partnership between the Nunavut Association of Municipal Administrators (NAMA) and the Government of Nunavut Department of Community and Government Services.
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