Improving Tribal-State Relations through Transformative eLearning for State Employees
Abstract: This presentation offers an analysis of how the learning designs for the Minnesota Tribal State Relations Training (TSRT) program’s four current and three in-development eLearning courses foster transformative learning. The eLearning courses are developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Office of Tribal Affairs in partnership with tribal leaders and American Indian Studies scholars, and are now open to 32,000 State of Minnesota employees across all state agencies. The analysis includes examples of how the impactful elements of the program's in-person Government to Government course, which has fostered transformative learning for state employees since 2012, have been adapted and extended for eLearning. The design analysis includes video excerpts and screenshots of eLearning courses, focusing on the application of two widely accepted core techniques for fostering transformative learning: critical reflection and dialogue. Preliminary evaluation data is shared that demonstrates transformative learning outcomes. The presentation will be of interest to practitioners of workplace learning and organizational change, educators and instructional designers implementing transformative learning via eLearning, and anyone interested in improving relations with tribal nations. By sharing the work of the TSRT program we wish to open lines of communication with other trainers and learning experience designers to strengthen our industry’s work in transformative learning.