In Savoonga, Allen Akeya and Violet Kingeekuk set up their laptops with the help of Community Education staff Auk Tozier and Colleen Adams as a part of the Project Remote program.
In September 2021, Kawerak Inc. was awarded $3.8 million in funding for Project Regional Educational Model for Online Technology Engagement from the Dept. of Education, Alaska Native Education Program (REMOTE). Project REMOTE's goal was to increase online learning opportunities over three years for 555 Alaska Native learners in the Bering Strait Region. Project REMOTE successfully advanced remote learning capacity by reducing the technology access gap for Alaska Native residents in the Bering Strait Region.
While the project initially focused on supporting youth, young adults and adults who are Alaska Native residents in rural areas, we identified a service gap in our offerings for elders (those age 50 or older) by the second year. Often on fixed incomes and without home internet, elders benefited significantly from newfound access to the online world, which positively transformed their daily lives.
This group was termed "Lifelong Learners" and over the course of two years, Project REMOTE gifted 382 seniors technology products and paid internet services. The "Tech Box" consisted of a new laptop, noise-cancellation headphones, thumb drive, notebook for passwords, surge protector, Bluetooth wireless mouse, sweatshirt, hat and stickers.
In addition, to help learners become successful with the new technology, our program offered multiple webinars each week. Learning topics included Zoom and basic digital literacy training, internet safety, and informational and guest speaker webinars on regional issues. We also hosted a "Coffee with Katie" hour, where participants could jump online to talk about whatever was on their minds.
As seniors often feel disconnected, an online community was started, utilizing Nearpeer, Inc. In total 85 Lifelong Learners chose to join. Through this program, participants were able to chat with other Lifelong Learners in the region and start subgroups for their interests, like camping, hunting, boating, grandchildren, cooking, beading, skin sewing and birds.
Our program also offered Lifelong Learners the opportunity to get some exercise. We contracted with Impactiv, Inc, VIVO for online exercise classes. Each participant met individually with a VIVO professional for assessment, and then VIVO shipped participants weights, ropes and other exercise items. Participants would meet twice a week as a group with an online instructor via Zoom and work on chair, rope and weights exercises. We had one participant who never missed a class they enjoyed it so much. What made it all worthwhile for our program staff was having one elder tell us he no longer needed assistance with getting out or in bed or getting up from his chair. This course changed his future.
According to some grant evaluations, the elders indicated they really enjoyed the use of the internet. Some pointed to the benefits of daily living, such as online shopping. Others noted it was helpful to have access to learn more about their hobbies such as truck maintenance or traditional healing. Others stated how much it helped them keep connected with family and friends. Overall, the program was so popular in our rural communities we had to close the application, as there were more people (households) interested than we could financially serve.Although the program saw much success, this was not obtained without its challenges. Our geographical location and weather are always a challenge, but in addition, Project REMOTE faced ordering and delivery logistical issues as well as identifying how to successfully connect rural participants with technical skills training and support.
Part of dealing with this was to just get boots on the ground. Program staff traveled to 15 of our rural communities to assist elders in applying for our program, and revisited communities to disseminate the "Tech Box" and teach basic computer skills, so that participants could connect with staff via Zoom. We contracted local people to help with Starlink Satellite setup and to offer face-to-face assistance with digital literacy skills. In places we couldn't hire someone local, our team traveled to that community to assist.
Looking forward
Intended as a pilot project, REMOTE recently wrapped-up. Going into the future, if additional funding is found to continue the program in 2025, we would like to assist our elders, who are interested, in enrolling in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Hopefully we receive the NTIA Digital Literacy Grant, to address continued Digital Literacy Skills training and region-wide Tribal Government Office technology upgrades.
The impact of this project has been enormous. Students in remote villages have gained access to the same quality of education as their urban counterparts. Adults are discovering resources at their fingertips and using them.
