Media.Knet.Ca

As part of his GLOBAL HEALTH: EMBEDDED LEARNING EXPERIENCE, Michael submitted his final 74 page report reflecting on his three month placement (Sept 8 to Dec 13) at KO-KNET in Sioux Lookout. He titled the report "THE NATION WITHIN OUR OWN: THE JOURNEY WITH REMOTE AND RURAL FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES IN ONTARIO".

The following projects highlight the practical applications that Michael successfully worked on over the 3 months he was in Sioux Lookout. Of course, there is a lot more work that was done during his placement that he details in his report. Check out each of these great resources that Michael created with the KO-KNET team for everyone to use!

He writes in his report ...

To me, an ELE is not only about the joys of being able to travel – it is also a great opportunity to make a positive and sustainable difference in the lives of others. Many of the projects listed below are the products of hard work and collaboration between me and the ever supportive staff at KNet. Current initiatives include:

1. The ELDER Project - www.elderproject.knet.ca

With ELDER, I intend to provide educators and students with the educational software tools necessary to transform their classroom computer into a healthy learning environment where everyone can learn, create and share for life. The ELDER project also extends beyond software – it is about creating better access to educational and job opportunities, creating a medium for health information dissemination and health literacy for youth, finding ways to preserve First Nations culture and language, and providing tools to direct attention to other social determinants of health such as poverty and inadequate housing conditions. ELDER is community owned and with the generous support by KNET, we hope to see the software being delivered or installed in communities which request it. Most of all ELDER will remain free and open source, so that everyone can contribute, have access to, and improve for generations to come!

 2. The DiabeTEXTs project - www.diabetexts.knet.ca

Goals:

• To create an active, effective and long-term diabetes education project through cellular SMS texting and other information avenues to promote healthy living habits, carbohydrate counting, medication information, reminders for blood-glucose testing and other related information or community diabetes events
• Perform research on the effectiveness of the above service in a remote and rural First Nations context
• Explore and develop the necessary infrastructure within existing mobile networks of KM and DMTS to send diabetes information texts to a greater number of First Nations patients and caregivers
• Explore and develop a software interface for healthcare providers to send both texts and emails through a computer terminal

This site includes the first place award winning submission to the AGFA Innovations in eHealth competition.

3. An OLPC initiative - www.littlegreenmachines.knet.ca

This site can assist educators and students into maximizing the learning potential of the XO laptop in their classroom, as well as promote the 5 principles of the One Laptop Per Child Organization. The site is divided into 3 sections: About OLPC, where you can learn more about the organization and First Nations initiatives, The XO Laptop where you can learn and get tips on the XO laptop and its hardware, and SUGAR OS, where you can find information on the unique, award winning SUGAR operating system and activities on the XO laptop and how it might be utilized in the classroom. PDF manuals are available for download on the bottom right. Please enjoy, and most of all, please enrol! By enrolling, you'll get updates when new content is posted, and you can post questions on the discussion form to get help, ideas, or contribute your ideas from community members.

4. Here for You - www.hereforyou.knet.ca

A Sexual Health and Wellness Circle - The availability of First Nations-centric sexual health education is minimal, as well as scattered across the web. In late October, I worked with Northwestern Health Clinic to compile up-to-date, culturally appropriate information on HIV, STIs, and other sexual-related topics. The final product was Here for You, a site that contains:
∙ Workshop Materials for Educators
∙ Sexual health information for First Nations teens and parents
∙ HIV and Me, a First Nations guide to HIV and AIDs for youth
∙ A collection of useful print outs for health professionals as well as educators
∙ An anonymous question form that goes directly to a nurse at Northwestern health clinic
∙ Links to important organizations and other websites for more extensive info

5. KO Health Careers - www.kohealthcareers.knet.ca

The KO Health Careers site was developed to promote the pursuit of health careers for First Nations students, especially in the areas of nursing and medicine. Information such as career profiles from current health care workers in the field, scholarship information, medical school application tips, will be posted in a concise, user-- ]friendly format. It will also document my continued journey into applying for medical school, especially pursuing my acceptance to NOSM.

6. KNET Videoconferencing Site - www.videoconferencing.knet.ca

This was a great opportunity to ... familiarize myself with the videoconferencing equipment used and supported at KNET.

7. Social Determinants of Health Essay

Submitted to an essay contest from the McMaster University Medical Journal