- Produce Navajo language and culture teaching materials, K-12+ and
establish networks for dissemination.
(Diné College- Tsaille hosts an Annual Cultural & Language
Conference which highlights such things as; A multi-media Diné language cd was
created & produced out of the former NCC-Shiprock language department, Chinle School
District creates Cultural Curriculla for Secondary Navajo students.)
- Identify existing technologies which satisfy immediate needs.
(The implementation of a network was started in 1995, by getting
Internet connection to the existing DEC network. Evans Craig suggested using a Windows NT
server at each department to integrate existing networks, e.g. DEC/VAX LAN network.., to
the TCP/IP WAN network, e.g. Internet.., while creating a user-friendly internal local
area network for faculty, staff, and students. The server also houses information used to
disseminate information to the world via the World Wide Web.)
- Identify existing applications and interfaces to early adopters in the
areas of:
Libraries, Administration, Student Services, Community Services, and Tribal Services.
(Evans Craig will be
needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Promote a technologically appropriate pedagogy.
( The pedagogy being used is called a "Systems Development Life
Cycle," - SDLC. It promotes a four phase approach to developing networks by
identifying the users needs, analyzing the solutions, designing alternatives, implementing
the network, testing and maintenance, and teaching the users it's potentials.)
- Provide active learner involvement.
The College is providing Evans Craig with a person to do the implementation, William, and
a student technician to participate in the analysis and design. Another person will need
to be identified to participate in the active teaching of the technologies.
- Identify the strengths and core competencies of each NCC Center.
Navajo Culture Education, Science & Technology, Humanities, Testing Facilities, Career
Lab, GED Program, Professional Development, Maintenance and Supplies - etc.
(Evans Craig will be
needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Identify income and fund generating possibilities.
Navajo Culture Courses, Grant Writing /Tracking, Machine readable conversions, Economic
Development opportunities, NCI.
(Evans Craig will be
needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Identify linkages to other funding possibilities.
Nat'l Research and Education Network Initiative, Environment, Education, Health, and
Business.
(Evans Craig will be
needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Develop a sustainable enlightenment methodology for the Navajo Community
at large.
( Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility.)
- Propose participation in the long range planning processes of the Navajo
Communications Company and the Navajo Broadcasting Services Company.
( Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility.)
- Identify critical needs requiring immediate funding and implementation.
Library services, NCC faculty and staff connectivity, and Internet access.
(Internet Access funding has been acquired, NCC faculty and staff
connectivity funding has been acquired, and library services funding is ????)
- Develop a migration plan from the existing capabilities to the proposed
systems.
( A plan will be needed to be developed immediately)
- Ensure a compatibility between the proposed implementation and other
existing and emerging systems.
( Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility.)
- Develop a conversion process from existing information to the new
formats.
( The Conversion process plan will need to be designed and
implemented immediately)
- Assure Tribal Council buy-in and Navajo communications on proposal;
apprise tribal council delegates of proposal.
(Evans Craig will
be needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Ensure facilities exist to house the telecommunications equipment and
capabilities.
(Evans Craig will
be needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Ensure compatibility with the other schools, institutions and chapter
houses.
( Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility.)
- Investigate minimum cost options for access and long distance charges.
(Evans Craig will
be needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Implement immediate connectivity for every NCC faculty, and staff member
using LAN's and WAN's.
(NCC/Shiprock is currently in the implementation phase, yet the
analysis and design stage for the users was never addressed formally. Evans Craig will
facilitate the analysis and design of the faculty, staff, developer, and student
interfaces, that can be transparently transported to the other four NCC campuses.)
- Develop an NCC staff Network system modeled after other successful
institutions.
(Get NASA's input on successful institutions so that the model can
be emulated using TCP/IP solutions.)
- Develop inter- and intra-campus (e-mail).
(Mail packages are included with the Windows NT Server, will need to
acquire licensing for all users; Faculty, Staff, and Students)
- Establish a gateway to other programs.
(Diné College is using the Internet as a common equipment gateway
and the World Wide Web as a common user interface.)
- Install UPS systems for file servers and critical systems.
(Diné College is using an UPS for file servers and critical
systems.)
- Provide access to local, regional and national electronic libraries.
(Full Internet tools will need to be implemented on the fireball
server, e.g. Proxy machine)
- Create a CD-ROM Network for existing and anticipated library database
products, provide dial-in to off-campus students.
(Accessible information via CD-ROM has been implemented on a Proxy
machine with a stack of CD players and dial-in capabilities were instigated with NMT's
guidance.)
- Provide "virtual library" services to the NCC campuses, the
local community, the Navajo Nation, and other institutes.
(Get NASA's input on successful institutions so that the model can
be emulated using TCP/IP solutions.)
- Provide gateways to other libraries within the immediate areas and beyond
through access to other networks, particularly CARL, the Colorado Alliance of Research
Libraries, which presently supports 142 libraries, and MELVYL, the database of the
University of California complex.
(Full Internet tools will need to be implemented on the firewall
server, e.g. Proxy machine)
- Support Inter Library Loan services through the use of systems such as
Uncover2 which can provide journal articles within 24 hours or less.
(Get NASA's input on successful institutions so that the model can
be emulated using TCP/IP solutions.)
- Ensure that NCC students are provided the use of electronic information
access and retrieval systems as a part of NCC's bibliographic instruction.
( Evans Craig would be willing to facilitate the analysis and design
of the faculty, staff, developer, and student interfaces, that can be transparently
transported to the other four NCC campuses.)
- Provide random keyword or natural language access for card catalogs.
(Get NASA's input on successful institutions so that the model can
be emulated using TCP/IP solutions.)
- Provide conversion of library records, bibliographical data, and
historical Navajo history to digital format.
(Get NASA's input on successful institutions so that the model can
be emulated using TCP/IP solutions then identify funding to provide this service.)
- Ensure NCC access to the Navajo Tribal Library and Museum resources in
Window Rock.
( Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility.)
- Provide access for primary and secondary schools to the NCC library
services and other NCC information services.
( Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility.)
- Develop interactive video teaching capabilities.
( Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility. NCC will be needing to either hire a Distance
Educator to design and implement a system or hire a consulting firm to start the process.
Evans Craig would be willing to bid on starting the process.)
- Provide interactive course delivery between sites.
(Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility. Navajo Broadcasting can be approached to
design a plan that can be implemented with the Navajo Nation Network.)
- Use capabilities to offer NCC courses to off-reservation remote sites.
(Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility.)
- Develop teacher education services.
(Evans Craig will
be needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Implement systems to produce knowledge (i.e. Place and Names Project)
using technology such as desktop publishing, interactive learning systems production, and
cd-rom systems development.
(NCC/Shiprock has started to address this approach with the design of
the Place and Names Project.)
- Provide services for adult education, continuing education, and
para-professionals.
(Get NASA's input on successful institutions so that the model can
be emulated using TCP/IP solutions then identify funding to provide this service.)
- Establish a mobile uplink and downlink capability for "shut in"
students, for occasional course offerings at remote locations and as a back-up capability.
(Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility. Navajo Broadcasting can be approached to
design a plan that can be implemented on the Navajo Nation Network. Northern Navajo
University is currently supplying downlinked classes via a closed microwave network to the
Navajo Nation.)
- Enhance the services offered in the Learning Center:
Student Testing, Career Lab, GED Tutoring Program, Learning Center Classes, Literacy
Programs coordination, Professional development, and Public Schools cooperation.
(Evans Craig will
be needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Develop / Install student support services;
Advisement, Financial Aid, Student registration and enrollment, Career planning.
(Get NASA's input on successful institutions so that the model can
be emulated using TCP/IP solutions then identify funding to provide this service.)
- Develop interactive video communications for NCC business meetings.
( Evans Craig will be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Networking Project to ensure compatibility. Navajo Broadcasting has been approached to
design a plan that can be complimenting to the Navajo Nation Network.)
- Provide a training / enlightenment process for staff, administration, and faculty
members
( Pathways would be willing to bid on starting the process.)
- Ensure transfer of the knowledge to operate and maintain systems.
( Evans Craig would be willing to help on starting the process.)
- Ensure adequate security systems are in place; provide protection of NCC's intellectual
property.
( Evans Craig would be willing to design the protections needed , after an
assessment is completed.)
- Document and provide where able, services that address social issues - alcohol, aids,
fetal alcohol syndrome, environment, etc.
(Evans Craig
will be needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Provide Internet access to primary and secondary school systems in the community; act as
the local Internet service provider.
( Evans Craig will be working directly with the Navajo Nation Networking Project, to
ensure compatibility. Get New Mexico Technet's input on successful implementations so
that the model can be emulated then identify funding to provide this service.)
- Provide educational programming to the local cable television system.
(Navajo Broadcasting can be approached to design a brochure that can be implemented
with the Navajo Nation Network)
- Analyze possibility of providing community information services for roads, planning and
zoning.
(Navajo Broadcasting can be approached to design a process that can be implemented
with the Navajo Nation Network)
- Provide linkages to the IHS medical facilities, both as information resources and as
teaching services.
(Evans Craig would be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation Networking
Project, to ensure compatibility. The Navajo Nation has already started negotiating
possibilities.)
- Investigate and document other tie-ins to other capabilities, such as tele-medicine.
(Evans
Craig will be needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Understand Navajo Communications long range directions.
(See Citizens Telecom - Navajo Communications)
- Understand Navajo Broadcasting Service's long range directions.
(Evans Craig
will be needing this information sent to him immediately.)
- Provide interconnectivity to 29 Tribal colleges.
( Evans Craig is currently working directly with AIHEC, to ensure compatibility.)
- Link chapter houses to NCC where possible.
( Evans Craig would be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation Networking
Project, to ensure compatibility.)
- Provide off reservation access to the NCC information center for Navajo knowledge and
experts.
( Evans Craig would be willing to work directly with the Navajo Nation
Learning Network Project, to ensure compatibility.)
- Develop an information center for economic development.
( The Navajo Tribe has already started by putting the Navajo Nation Department of Tourism
on-line. Now they need a way to directly contact them via e-mail. )
- The sustained success of an undertaking of this magnitude is dependent upon a well
funded and administratively supported program. It is suggested that a Director of Computer
and Communications Services, or similar consultant type of services be employed to oversee
the implementation, migration and development of the information infrastructure at NCC.
( Diné College has already hired a Director of Computing Services to oversee the
development of the information infrastructure.)
- It is also recommended that routine meetings be conducted between the technical and
academic factions to ensure an effective transfer to the technology.
( Steve Grey of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories
has already implemented the use of Academics, e.g. American Indian Programs to meet with
technical individuals. )
- The implementation of advanced capabilities will have limited effect unless used by the
entire staff. It is suggested that a policy be initiated that requires use of the e-mail
system for all institutional correspondence.
( All participants would be willing adopt the current process of utilizing e-mail.
Diné Colleges' e-mail address for educational use is: education@shiprock.ncc.cc.nm.us
)
- As the proposed system will undoubtedly be the most advanced communications within the
Navajo Nation, it would be to the benefit of all if the Tribal Council, the Tribal Council
delegates, the Navajo Communications Company and the Navajo Broadcasting Services Company
were apprised on a routine basis of the directions and progress of the proposal.
( Diné College should implement the current process of reporting by utilizing Diné
Colleges' e-mail address and creating mail lists: e.g. NN_council@crystal.ncc.cc.nm.us
)
- Both LAN/WAN capabilities have been funded, an integrated strategy needs to be
adopted:
- Develop Local Area Networks within the school campuses.
A common consultant needs to be selected to be Lead Consultant to provide internal
implementation consultation within the Navajo Nation Schools.
- Develop Wide Area Networks to connect the school campuses.
A common consultant needs to be selected to be Lead Consultant to provide external
implementation consultation between the Navajo Nation Schools, Navajo Nation Tribe, Hopi
Schools, Hopi Tribe, Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, NAU, Navajo
Broadcasting Services, and Navajo Communications Citizens Telecom Company.
- Develop Interactive video delivery systems have yet to be developed, but are being
discussed with Navajo Broadcasting Services and NAUNET.
A common consultant needs to be selected to interface with the Lead Consultant
between the Navajo Nation Schools, Navajo Nation Tribe, Hopi Schools, Hopi Tribe, NAUNET,
and Navajo Broadcasting Services.
- Initial findings have been assembled, network funding has been established, and network
implementation is ongoing. All requested information on this update will be needed to
project a timeline, but initially parts of the Navajo Nation LAN/WAN have been implemented
over the last five years. Integration of all the presented Technology Plans will need to
be designed to meet the Goals 2000 schedule.
- Establish updated contact with all of the above mentioned entities.
Evans Craig, Educational
Technology Consultant
Copyright © 1997-2000
All rights reserved.
Revised: July 06, 2000.
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