Kwok J and Mak H W (1999), Using Internet databases in teaching "Discrimination and Society" New Technology in the Human Services 12 (3 & 4), pp. 5-11 Abstract‘Discrimination and Society’ is an elective course offered by the authors to all students in the City University of Hong Kong. The aim of the course is to raise students’ awareness and knowledge of discriminatory attitudes and behaviour towards disadvantaged groups in society, including women, older people, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities, as well as current measures in dealing with discrimination. Students are also given the opportunity to experience first-hand discrimination in society through role-play and other experiential and interactive activities. An interesting finding in the teaching of the course is that there is an abundant supply of information on the Web, offered by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, including advocacy groups. The databases have been found to be most stimulating to students. However, web-based databases are mainly generated in western and developed countries, and are still very much dominated by western perspectives and values. Students from Asia and the Pacific Region have to find a balance of information from other sources, mainly news reports and other media. Furthermore much effort is needed to improve students’ skills in utilizing web-based databases, so as to give due attention to the world’s growing concern for discriminatory attitudes and behaviors. This paper will discuss the challenges and issues in using web-based databases in teaching and learning about discrimination in society. |
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