V I D E O  

The Office of the Status of Women. Inequity in the Classroom I En toute egalite. Montreal, Quebec: 
Concordia University, 1 992, $80.00, ISBN 0·88947·042·1 . 

Inequity in the Classroom/En toute egalite consists of a 
videotape and training manual designed to help professors and 
adult educators recognize and deal with subtle, inadvertent forms 
of discrimination in the classroom. The unique feature of this 
audio-visual package is that it concentrates primarily on "the 
chilly climate" for women in higher education. Since sexism is 
so intertwined with our notions of sexuality, it is one of the most 
difficult discriminatory practices to address. To its credit, 
Inequity in the Classroom responds to the question, how does 
differential treatment of men and women adversely affect s tudent 
learning? 

The videotape (VHS) (English version: 26 min. 41 sec.; 
French version: 26 min. 48 sec.) can be used separately or in 
combination with the manual . It features student testimonials, 
dramatizations of sexist classroom interactions, and thought­
provoking analysis of equity issues by university professors and 
renowned North American scholars. Although the focus is 
primarily on classroom interactions, issues such as curriculum, 
grading, academic freedom, and the dynamics of power and 
knowledge are also addressed. 

The manual (English version: 131 pages; French version: 
135 pages) complements but is different from the videotape. It 
consists of a training manual for a one-day workshop together 
with supportive materials that define and highlight the conse­
quences of, and alternatives to inequity in the classroom. Accom­
panying "Fact Sheets" provide written information on sexism, 
enthocultural discrimination, racism, heterosexism, sterotypes, 
non-verbal behaviour, language, and other forms of discrimina­
tion in the curriculum and in the classroom. In addition, an 
annotated bibliography and a selected bibliography provide 
further information on each topic. 

Because most professors were themselves educated in an 
androcentric and eurocentric tradition, the need for inclusive 
teaching strategies is at the forefront of educational reform. To 
this end, Inequity in the Classroom is a particularly valuable 
resource. Designed to inform rather than to provoke controversy, 
it provides a non-threatening, research-based forum for con­
sciousness raising. Importantly, both the videotape and the 
manual provide teachers with concrete strategies for making 
their classroom environment more inclusive. It should be noted, 

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however, that while the video tackles the complex issue of sexism 
in an objective and thorough manner, other forms of discrimina­
tion are not examined. To discuss issues such as racism, ageism, 
and homophobia, for example, one needs to make use of the 
manual and its Fact Sheets. 

In May 1993, Inequity in the Classroom received official 
recognition for its excellence in content and presentation when it 
was awaraded the ADATE Prize for the video and special 
mention for the manual by L' Association pour Ia Developpement 
et L' Application de Ia Technologie en Education in Quebec City. 
The need for and timeliness of this topic are also reflected in the 
demand for this audiovisual package. More than 850 copies have 
already been purchased by college and university libraries around 
the world. Clearly, Inequity in the classroom is a valuable yet 
affordable ($ 80 for both the videotape and the manual) resource 
for both secondary and postSecondary institutions. 

Marjorie MacKinnon is an educational consultant and the Assist­
ant Director of the Learning Development Office at Concordia 
University, Montreal, Quebec. 

Educlltlon Llbrarl- • Vol 17, No.3