Creating A Better Learning Environment

This section has articles on teaching, on systemic changes needed in universities and colleges, on counselling, on Maslow's theory of needs, on safety in the classroom.

Sharon Ferguson-Hood describes life writing and suggests how you can use it. Patricia Daughton takes a thoughtful look at art and how it can be used by anyone, even non-artists, to create a more realistic self-image and generate higher self-esteem. Wanita Koczka describes how correctional institutions can meet the educational needs of incarcerated women. Marilyn Boechler describes some of the ingredients of a program for women who have experienced so much violence that they were unable to get even a basic education. Moon Joyce uses her experience as an instructor in an Outward Bound program to describe how physical challenge, in a woman-positive environment, promotes learning. Paula Pasquali considers some of the barriers created by program and funding requirements. Kathy Story reflects on several decades of teaching woman-centred courses at the University of Saskatchewan and on what universities must do to make education more woman- positive.

Counseling is the focus of two articles. J. D. Inamuco describes her experiences with counseling in "Reclaiming my Life" and suggests that good counseling services are an essential part of any educational institution or program. "Choosing a counsellor" is a checklist you might want to share with your students or use as a writing or discussion prompt.

Safety is the overwhelming concern of all survivors. Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs" theory is a way to describe and understand why this is so, and how the need for safety takes precedence over all else, including learning. "Making Learning Safer: A checklist for teachers" focuses on things you can do to make your classroom or program safer. You might want to share it with your colleagues. Three articles focus on various aspects of safety audits. We have summarized several of the audits METRAC describes in more detail in their own publications. As we point out in the summaries, safety audits are a way for all women, including women learners, to take control of their environment, to empower themselves.