Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1505559
Methodology This program evaluation was completed in three phases: research and literature review; survey and interview administration; and synthesis of findings to enable report writing. Each step of this program evaluation was guided by the following questions: 1. What are the metrics of success for Connected North's device provision and digital access programs? a. How many students have been helped by the program? b. Among which Indigenous communities has the program had the greatest perceived impact? c. What impact did the program have on student engagement and success? 2. What programs, services and investments are currently provided to address digital gaps in education for Indigenous youth by community, industry and government? What gaps still exist? 3. What recent trends in the digital divide with respect to Indigenous youth education are emerging and how do they present challenges and opportunities for Connected North? 4. What resources are available to expand the provision of digital technology to Indigenous youth and what type of digital educational content is best suited to support Indigenous students' learning and educational outcomes? In the first phase of the project, we consolidated existing research to better understand the digital gaps facing Indigenous youth, identify how Indigenous communities face greater gaps in digital skills and access, and examine what community initiatives and formal programming have been developed to address this problem, including where programming gaps remain. This phase involved synthesizing evidence by collating the following forms of knowledge: • Peer-reviewed publications by experts in digital and home internet access, and barriers to education related to the digital divide for Indigenous youth, accessed through electronic databases; • Gray literature including scholarly information not formally published, or peer-reviewed, found in conference proceedings, presentations and working papers; • Legal and policy frameworks from peer jurisdictions and international organizations that address barriers to education and the digital divide for Indigenous youth; • Media reports, federal and provincial government reports, briefs, memoranda, and websites on the right to digital access for Indigenous youth and impacts on education. Impact of Connected North's Digital Inclusion Grant on IndigenousStudents' Learning, Social Connection and Community Involvement 14