Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2004 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation is providing Native Americans living in rural communities with the cutting-edge technology necessary to compete for jobs. Using satellite technology, the Cherokee Nation’s Career Service department created a high-tech classroom on wheel called the Mobile Learning Unit. The unit will provide career training, job search tools and specialized workshops to rural communities in the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county jurisdictional area.
Cherokee Nation's
Mobile Learning Unit
"The Mobile Learning Unit allows the Cherokee Nation to be on the cutting edge of technology with the use of wireless equipment," said Melanie Dodge, Cherokee Nation employment and training specialist. "It is a perfect way to directly serve Native Americans in need of training assistance."
The Mobile Learning Unit, which looks like a bus or recreational vehicle (RV) on the outside, looks more like a classroom on the inside. It is equipped with 12 wireless laptop computers and coordinating work stations. There is plenty of room for an instructor to address the class and a mounted television with VCR to assist with instruction.
The Mobile Learning Unit will house classes in basic computer skills, basic software training, drug awareness and prevention, and Cherokee language and culture. The laptop computers will also be able to access the "World of Work" program that assists individuals with job searches and resume preparation and the Internet via satellite connection.
"Career Services will now be able to provide the same services to clients throughout the Cherokee Nation’s jurisdictional boundaries as those that we provide in the office," Dodge said.
The Mobile Learning Unit will also be used to show a live broadcast of Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meetings as they occur each month. Satellite access will allow Tribal citizens to view and hear these meetings, while seated comfortably in the office-style chairs on-board the unit.
"This will allow our tribal citizens the opportunity to stay current on Cherokee Nation events and issues," said Diane Kelly, executive director of Cherokee Nation Career Services.
Cherokee Nation Career Services will showcase the new Mobile Learning Unit throughout the month of December in hands-on tours designed to allow the public to experience first-hand what the Mobile Learning Unit has to offer.
The showcase tour will begin on Tuesday, December 14, at the Cherokee Nation Health Clinic in Salina from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Then it will roll into the Oakhill-Piney Community Building for viewing at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, December 15, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the Mobile Learning Unit will be showcased at the Sam Hider Clinic in Jay and on Thursday, December 16, the unit will be at Chopper Heights in Grove.
For more information on the Cherokee Nation Career Services Mobile Learning Unit, please call Melanie Dodge, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2866) or George Roach, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2793).
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |