During interviews with device recipients,
some students emphasized the importance
of taking into consideration the relative
needs of each household, such as multi-
member households or those with multiple
school-aged children who find it difficult to
share one laptop and internet bandwidth.
Therefore, the provision of the laptop helped
the entire family (not just the receiving
individual) because it freed other devices
already in the home for other members who
needed to use it simultaneously.
Almost all interviewees emphasized that
receiving the laptop allowed them to
complete school work more efficiently, which
in turn motivated them to continue earning
their degree and inspired others to apply
to new programs after the completion of
their degree. Many learners explained that,
prior to receiving the laptop, they would rely
on public internet access and devices at
school or public libraries, which closed at
set times, and was inconvenient for learners
with children who could not access these
spaces easily without childcare and learners
who had jobs outside of school hours and
could not easily find the extra time to visit
the library within its opening hours. With the
only source of internet and device access
being outside of the home, many learners
expressed their relief in having the ability
to now complete school work flexibly and
having access to learning materials to study
any time.
To what extent did your ability to complete school work
improve after your participation in the program?
0
20
40
60
80
Rating ( 1 = not at all; 5 = a great deal )
2 1 3 4 5
%
Impact of Connected North's Digital Inclusion Grant on IndigenousStudents' Learning, Social Connection and Community Involvement 18
