Indigenizing Curriculum Development and Online Course Design: a Caribbean Study

Abstract

This article reports preliminary findings of a research project that used participatory action research (PAR) methodology. The PAR methodology gives voice and ownership to prospective students and other stakeholders in the design of a culturally sensitive library science program and its related online courses in the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean. The paper emphasizes and explores the criticality of indigenizing/localizing research and addresses various considerations in engaging inclusive research and practice. Preliminary findings of this study indicate that the combination of PAR, the CoI framework, and “Third Space” sensitivity resulted in developing an enthusiastic researcher-practitioner community focused on integrating technology into an indigenous library science program.