Native American Research Initiative

Culture and Tradition

1. Do teachers take into consideration cultural issues?
2. How do 21st century skills align with the Diné philosophy of life and education?
3. How do youth relate to traditional ceremonies?
4. How do youth fit into the assumptions of tradition and culture?
5. How are cultural values changing with the generations?
6. What generalizations can be made across settings and what differences exist across settings (rural/urban/remote)?

Family roles and connections

1. What enrichment can be developed/provided for parents of gifted students?
2. Many children lack basic supplies (e.g., desks, chairs, a place to study, lights, paper, school supplies, technology) needed to do their school work at home. How can these basic needs be addressed? Could Chapter Houses play a role in helping children focus on their studies?
3. What role does family play in school success?
4. How can home-school connections be strengthened?
5. What methods can be used to effectively connect students (and/or their families) to the “outside” world?

Gender

1. Are male students at risk?
2. What methods best address the needs of gifted Navajo boys?
3. What implication does gender have on educational services and their delivery?
4. How does the matriarchal society affect the social and emotional development of the whole child, boys and girls?

Curricular and instructional considerations

1. How can the non-verbal, visual, and spatial strengths of these youth enhance their learning and success?
2. How do the spatial strengths of these children fit with STEM education, specifically engineering?
3. How can curriculum be adapted to fit the knowledge, background, and experiences of the children?
4. What is the role of problem-based learning in educating this population?
5. In what ways can teachers’ use of non-verbal strategies encourage communication?
6. How can non-verbal communication and activities enhance learning?
7. Can teachers’ better meet students’ needs through accountability, goal setting, and reflective practice?

Technology

1. What is the role of technology in this generation of learners?
2. How can technology bring learning to the reservation?
3. How does technology inform the culture of today’s generation of Navajo students?
4. What about the technological divide, its effects, and how can it be addressed?
5. How can the need for infrastructure in many schools be addressed?

Connections to the future

1. How can innovation and creativity be promoted among this generation of learners to improve infrastructure and living conditions on the reservation?
2. What steps can be taken to address the tension between educational attainment and the poor job market on the Reservation?
3. How can educated young people effectively bring their knowledge and skills home to the Reservation?
4. What tensions exist between education and the job market?