Problematizing Common “Ground Rules” Toward More Equitable (Virtual) Classroom Discussions

Faculty often establish ground rules for classroom discussion with the goal of creating “safe spaces” for students. Unfortunately, when safety gets equated with comfort and power dynamics go unexamined, classrooms can be very dangerous places for students. In this session, Drexel University faculty teaching online and blended courses share how they invite students to problematize common ground rules like “assume good intentions” through an equity and social justice lens; use common ground rules like “treat everyone with respect” to explore issues of power and privilege; and invite students into “brave spaces” (Arno & Clemens, 2013) (some of which are virtual) to collectively challenge the status quo.