August 24, 2007
Contributed by Liz Ahana
"Receiving the national Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Course award as one of the very best of e-learning is a great honor for the VSDL team," said, Hirata. "Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop wanted to provide a good education to the children of Hawai'i and we at VSDL feel very blessed to be able to continue her legacy via our distance learning programs."
The online course teaches high school English by focusing on literature by writers of Hawaiian and other Pacific island descent.
"The HPL course development team felt that teaching students English by focusing on literature written from a cultural perspective would not only increase cultural knowledge but also make learning more relevant to students' own life and experiences," explained Dukelow.
"It was our hope that students would be motivated to make connections with the literature studied if the people, places, conflicts and themes were familiar to them. We also tried to accomplish this goal by including projects that encouraged students to practice their English skills and learn about their culture from their parents, grandparents and community."
KS believes that a well-rounded education doesn't only happen in a classroom, but in all aspects of learning, one being through the ever-changing world of technology.
"Distance learning is increasing rapidly across the nation and worldwide. I feel that it is important for us to move Hawai'i's youth forward by equipping them with skills to succeed in the 21st century," added Hirata. Our 'Ike Hawai'i Distance Learning Program provides the opportunity for high school students to learn about their culture while gaining valuable technology skills." For more information on KS' VSDL programs visit Distance Learning. Applications for the 'Ike Hawai'i Distance Learning Program are available now and are due by September 29, 2007.
Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling more than 6,700 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i and at 31 preschool sites statewide. Thousands of additional Hawaiian learners are also being served through a range of other Kamehameha Schools outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai'i and across the continental United States.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
