Virtual Bridge Sessions: Supporting Trans and Gender Diverse Students to Learn Online
Channel: ColDevNet
Date: 2021-01-16

Trans, non-binary and gender diverse learners often have a much poorer learning experience in education than their cis-gendered peers. McKendry and Lawson (2017) found that 86% of trans staff and students had faced barriers to their learning and work in HE and FE in Scotland which they attributed to their gender identity or trans status. 

The transition to online and blended learning presents opportunities to improve inclusion and raise awareness of gender diversity but there are also challenges for trans learners in such a learning environment. This short workshop will reflect on those challenges before discussing ways of providing effective support to learners and strategies for engagement.

Links to Resources:

 - TransEDU website: https://trans.ac.uk/
 - Email trans.edu@strath.ac.uk if you would like to join the TransEDU Community of Practice
 - Shout - Mental Health text-based support for students: https://giveusashout.org/ 

Presentation delivered by Stephanie McKendry, University of Strathclyde; Sara Turkington, Ayrshire College; Mel McKenna, Glasgow Caledonian University, as part of the Virtual Bridge Session series.

Follow along at https://twitter.com/Virtual_Bridge and see what's coming up next at https://bit.ly/VBsessions