Culturally appropriate educational frameworks for indigenous people ensure they are afforded every opportunity to succeed and achieve in educational environments. Such frameworks are also needed in the e-Learning and e-Teaching environments. As relatively new concepts at Te Whare Wānanga ō Awanuiārangi, e-Learning and e-Teaching have been implemented in many of the programmes. Currently, however, there is no framework that is congruent with the needs of Māori learners or Māori lecturers at Te Whare Wānanga ō Awanuiārangi. Students enrolled in the Iti Rearea Bachelor of Teaching and Learning Early Years programme at the wānanga are from various iwi in Āotearoa. An online support system for students in this programme commenced in 2006. In 2008, Te Whare Wānanga ō Awanuiārangi applied to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for mixed mode accreditation for the Iti Rearea programme. This paper outlines some of the key elements for a Māori e-Learning and e-Teaching framework from the personal experiences of a Māori lecturer and e-Educator who has supported students online since 2006. The concepts for discussion include manaakitanga (caring), te taha wairua (spiritual well-being) and the need to establish and maintain online pastoral care of all students.
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