Indigenous Perspectives - Generative Curriculum Model and Constructivist Learning

 

                                                                                                              

     In the article “As if Indigenous Knowledge and Communities Mattered: Transformative Education in First Nations Communities in Canada (2004), Ball describes a “generative curriculum model” which brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledges using a constructivist “community of learners” approach in “community-based education partnerships between First Nations and postsecondary institutions in Canada”(p.454). The author points to the failure of Eurocentric education for First Nations peoples by almost every measure, while noting that this novel approach which co-creates learning in “living systems” (p.466), is a process of “continual emergence” and “positive transformation” in community, based on dialogue, on-going reflection, and rooted first in First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing.  In this model, Elders are co-instructors with post-secondary instructors, and these instructors require new skills sets such as “a willingness to be open to the possibility that they too might be transformed” (p467), as well as “to be open to not knowing, and to be open to learning from the students” (p.470).  This generative model of learning is based on a curriculum which is “relevant and personally meaningful and that affirms the student’s own identity and experiences” (p.472); it is empowering.

 Figure 1 [video] Indigenous Community Research Partnerships provides online training resources for researchers starting out to create community based research partnerships like the one discussed in this paper. (Queens ASO, 2021)

This article introduced me to ideas of “generative curriculum” as well as a “constructivist” approach to learning, which takes place in community.   I really enjoyed the description of learning and community as a “living system” (p.466) which the author beautifully explained for us noting “points of instability in the history of a community are of special importance since they represent the points where new forms of structure, behavior, and knowledge unique to that community can emerge – indeterminacy being a key feature of living systems”. (p.466) It seems that such times of instability are where creativity and innovation may emerge.  

Figure 2: The Ktunaxa Nation's advice (2019) for developing partnerships through building good relationships with First Nations. While this is focused on health care, the advice can be applied to education.

 I would like to know more about this idea of “constructivist” learning, and I wonder how I can implement this more into my own practice?  I would love to work more with local Indigenous Elders and community members to implement a similar kind of “generative curriculum model” within the public system of schooling.  I wonder how we could move towards these kinds of respectful, collaborative relationships within my own community, honouring and involving local Elders, who unfortunately often have a challenging past relationship with public schooling? I also wonder how I can continue to cultivate humility and more comfort with a sense of not knowing, seeing myself as a co-learner and co-teacher with my students?

Figure 3: [video] Trying to find examples of co-created generative curriculum model and constructivist learning, I found this inspiring project at the University of Arizona. (Global Silicon Valley, 2018)

References

    Ball, J. (2004). As if Indigenous knowledge and communities mattered: Transformative

     education in First Nations communities in Canada. The American Indian Quarterly, 28, 454-

    479.

First Nations Health Authority (2019, July 16) Building partnerships. [video] 

      https://youtu.be/_yklWpOV9Vc?si=ugMvnXF_S4URukYg

Global Silicon Valley (2018, April 26) ASU GSV Summit: Building Collective Power for radical 

     change.[video] youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4zl4wgHbR4&t=427s

Queen's ASO (2021, ) Indigenous community research partnerships. [video] 

        Youtube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3hHtKb9VU8&t=81s