ICTs in Teaching and Learning Women's Studies: Perspectives and Practices in Europe: The Use of New Information and Communication Technologies in Women's Studies Teaching

This book has come out of the work of the European ‘ATHENA’ Network, which is a network of higher education institutions involved in feminist research and in delivering Women’s Studies and Gender Studies programmes. Women’s Studies have developed a particular pedagogic focus that values both recognition of the ‘personal’ and critical reflective thinking in learning communities. Feminist epistemology holds a sophisticated critical perspective on the relationship between technology and gender. These two factors combined with the pragmatic constraints of being a poorly resourced academic discipline have made Women’s/Gender Studies at times circumspect about taking up opportunities for using ICTs in teaching. The contributors to this book believe that there are productive opportunities for ICTs and that ICTs can, if used well, expand our students’ learning opportunities, as well as provide University teachers with opportunities to develop our feminist pedagogic praxis. If used badly they can restrict learning, and be a source of frustration and exploitation for staff. This book is therefore a timely intervention in the developing pool of expertise in this particular academic teaching area. It warns of ‘elephant traps’ and ‘potholes’, as well way-marking the route around at least some obstacles for those who come after. It provides signposts and encouragement for those who want to journey further