A New Model in Online Training for Developing and Indigenous Communities

Hewitson JM¹*

1. Cicada.net.au/QUT, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Responding to requests for training from remote Indigenous and marginalised communities, presents major challenges. These communities are commonly characterised by instability, conflict, poor resources, poverty, illiteracy, high mortality, unemployment, health problems and other associated issues.

The model of Online Documentary Training (ODT) was created in Australian remote Indigenous communities. It addresses the above issues through bringing together the diverse fields of filmaking, (Guerilla TV production), and health, (Community Based Rehabilitation). These professional models developed ODT’s online training framework. The resulting strategies included real time delivery; local storytelling; live online interactivity; documentary film; visual based communication; and the integration of low and high end technology. ODT’s ability to create an entertaining, absorbing interactive story, (largely unconfined by technology, resources, location and culture), provided a safe space for marginalised people to direct their own learning and through participation create their own learning resources. Hence the training was current, relevant and culturally appropriate.

The outcomes demonstrated an increase in local motivation, problem solving and adoption of life long learning practices. The participants established networks and access to expertise and resources, whilst also trialling local knowledge with intercommunity sharing and mentoring. In the end, they could safely experiment in a virtual world, to finally be transfer skills and ideas into the community’s daily life.

This open, holistic training platform sets out to achieve sustained changes in the every day life of both the participants and their communities.

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