Abstract
A cornerstone of the Indigenous Strategy at Macquarie University (MQ) is the Gunya Model. A Gunya, in Darug language, is a traditional structure used by Aboriginal peoples as a home and shelter. In building the Gunya Online program MQ is building an online culturally safe place for distance Indigenous students to come together, connect with staff, services and each other as they journey through Higher Education. This poster outlines the early development of the project presenting initial findings from a research report that draws on literature and interviews with staff and students in the development of a model of best practice.
Keywords
Distance education, Aboriginal, Indigenous, tutoring, mentoring, higher education, equity, learning communities, ITAS, access, pathways, rural, remote, eLearning, enabling course.