Technology-Based Curriculum Development in Native Language Learning: How Computer-Assisted Cultural Education Supports Contemporary Native Youths

Abstract

Linguistic and cultural education supports the success and well being of Native youths in contemporary society. Many Indigenous communities struggle to stimulate interest among young pupils to learn their Native language and ancestral heritage, suffering from detrimental losses of Indigenous knowledge as a result. Technology-based methods can generate appealing, engaging and educational lessons for Native youths to encourage student participation in learning and creating linguistic, culture-based material. Especially fascinating is how this work contributes to an Indigenous group’s effective Nation Building concepts and practices, by nurturing future tribal leaders through educational means. This piece explores the integration of Omaha-specific technology-based materials into the Umóⁿhoⁿ Íye Language and Cultural Center’s language lab curricula, examines how these efforts support the center’s preservation and revitalization endeavors, and analyzes how this work reflects effective, and tribally-specific Nation Building.