What Can We Do?

While the issue of student-to-teacher harassment and its effects on webbed pedagogy require much more investigation, there are a number of things we, as a community, can do to promote safe learning environments.

Temper Optimism with Critical Analysis

Train and Prepare Instructors

Train Students

Create and Enforce a Discipline Plan

Ensure Safe and Supportive Administration

 I do not believe that virtual space is either evil or inherently masculine and patriarchal. What bother me is not the medium, but the lack of attention paid to how that medium may perpetuate sexism and violence against women. I agree with Lari Kendall who says, "the online environment is not itself a solution. Understandings of gender and the hierarchical arrangements based on these understandings do not simply disappear in forums where we can't see each other. We carry these understandings with us and re-create them online. Therefore, the appearance of more women on MUDs, and online generally, is likely to help only if both women and men make specific efforts to counter . . . stereotypical understandings" (222-23) . Working together, perhaps we can create egalitarian spaces on line.

 

Works Cited
Temper Optimism with Critical Analysis | Train and Prepare Instructors | Train Students |
Create and Enforce a Discipline Plan | Ensure Safe and Supportive Administration | Back to Introduction