About The Project

In March of 2020, when schools across Nova Scotia shut their doors as a response to COVID-19, students and teachers were abruptly transitioned into a new teaching and learning environment (DoEECD, 2018, 2019). Prior to this shift caused by COVID-19, an achievement gap was already evident among African Nova Scotian (ANS) learners, Mi’kmaq learners, and learners experiencing poverty. This pre-existing achievement gap, combined with a seismic shift in the learning environment, is a cause for concern for ANS learners and learners of African descent as they move forward with their learning within the prolonged COVID-19 crisis.

We foresee a new post COVID-19 normal where the education system relies more heavily on technology innovation in the delivery of education materials. Our goal is to gain an understanding of the experiences that ANS learners and learners of African descent have had with online/distance learning and to understand the hesitancies these learners may have when they think about a new normal that is more reliant on the use of technology.

With appropriate policies and procedures in place it is possible to ensure ANS learners and learners of African descent succeed in this new normal.< It is our hope that this study can provide evidence to policy where stakeholders integrate evidence from research that was conducted during the COVID-19 closures about best practices and possible opportunities.

Our Team​

George

Dr. George Frempong

Director of Research ​The Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute

Joyline

Dr. Joyline Makani

Assistant Professor Dalhousie University School of Information Management​

Michelle

Michelle McPherson

Research Assistant

Timi

Timi Idris

​​Research Project Manager The Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute

Our Supporters

The Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI)
The DBDLI ​is the center of knowledge and research on Africentric theories and practices endorsed by the provincial government. It seeks to understand and improve the standard of education for African Nova Scotian learners from preschool to adult education (formal and informal) and for educators through Africentric Educational Research and practices.
Dalhousie University 
Dalhousie University  is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded in 1818, it is one of Canada’s oldest universities. Dalhousie attracts more than 19,000 students from around the world. 
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences.