Student Engagement - Many of those in the sharing circles expressed
the difficulties that come with student engagement. There is lower than
usual student attendance at many events, some students might not be
comfortable or able to turn on their videos and, for some, low
engagement means little feedback from students.
Policies and Procedures - Navigating safety protocols and the
uncertainty of when they will change is perceived as a common
challenge. Many are "at the mercy" of restrictive safety protocols. Many
are finding student engagement to be difficult virtually. Staff and faculty
are required to be innovative and try new things, but there is not always
the support needed to do this in an effective way for Indigenous
students. Some are experiencing limitations depending on the program
predominately used at the institution (Zoom, Teams, WebEx, etc.).
Fostering Belonging - Building an environment for students to feel a
sense of belonging can be difficult in virtual spaces. There are some
important aspects of belonging that cannot be fostered in a virtual
setting and, because of this, it is difficult to recreate those moments of
"coming together."
Experienced by Staff and Faculty
Challenges and Barriers
