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Module 1: Understanding and Overcoming Implicit Bias

Outcomes

  • Gain a deeper understanding of implicit and unconscious bias.
  • Recognize how biases tied to race, religion, gender, age, neurodiversity, and other factors can impact students.
  • Consider how to manage and address bias in day-to-day work situations.

Overview

Can you think of a situation when someone’s bias—conscious or unconscious—influenced an interaction with a student? Perhaps the student's appearance, manner of speaking, response (or lack of response) led someone to jump to a conclusion or interact with the student in a way that did not achieve the best outcome.

Blind spots and snap judgements can impact our interactions with others. Brain science can help us understand why we have biases. We all draw upon our personal beliefs and experiences when we interact with others. Our highly personalized set of filters that we carry with us wherever we go, shape our perceptions, and prepare us to navigate interactions.

We can have better interactions with students, and coworkers, when we increase our awareness of our biases and manage our responses.

The content in this module can help users:

  • Develop a deeper understanding of implicit and unconscious bias.
  • Recognize how bias may impact students’ experiences.
  • Learn techniques to manage bias in day-to-day work environments.
  • Consider how to modify systemic processes, communications, and interactions to minimize effects of bias.

Tips for Using This Module

  • Group Meetings and Staff Training: Select and share videos that support your goals during staff meetings. Use the Featured Video Worksheet with groups, or as an individual.
  • Onboarding New Staff: Integrate resources into onboarding materials for new hires.
  • Individual Professional Development: Provide access to resources to staff to support their personal learning goals and professional growth.

Introducing the Topic of Bias

Use these brief videos to kickstart the conversation during your staff training session.

Implicit Bias Matters: Thinking Under the Influence (T.U.I.)

This video is (3:58)

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How We Make Decisions and How Unconscious Bias Affects Judgement

This video is (1:07)

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Reflection Questions

After watching the introductory videos, encourage participants to think about or share their thoughts.

  • Can you think of examples of "Cognitive Short-Cuts" you have seen people take in their interactions with each other?
  • If you catch yourself operating with blind spots, what are they?
  • What could you do to minimize or eliminate your blind spots?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Featured Video

Use this video and worksheet to support staff development on the topic of bias. This video and activity can be used in a staff meeting, or by an individual as an independent activity.

Featured Video: Why We Are Wrong When We Think We Are Right

Chaehan So | TEDxMünchen (13:37)

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Follow-up Worksheet

Use this worksheet as a follow-up activity with your team or staff members.

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In-Depth Videos

Use these videos to take a deeper dive into the topic of bias during your staff training.

Did You Judge Me? Transform Stereotype, Racism, and Your world

Zamina Mithani | TEDxStanleyPark (15:56)

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What I Have Learned as a First-Generation College Student

Lyric Swinton | TEDxUofSC (4:51)

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I Got 99 Problems....Palsy Is Just One

Maysoon Zayid (14:14)

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I Am Not Your Asian Stereotype

Canwen Xu | TEDxBoise (9:39)

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What Being Hispanic and Latinx Means in the United States

Fernanda Ponce | TEDxDeerfield (11:51)

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Additional Resources

Access these resources to use in staff-trainings or as an individual.

Books

Explore available books and resources to continue learning and expanding your knowledge about bias.

Group

Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do

By: Dr. Jennifer L. Eberhardt

With a perspective that is at once scientific, investigative, and informed by personal experience, Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt offers us the language and courage we need to face one of the biggest and most troubling issues of our time.

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Group

The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias

By Dolly Chugh

An inspiring guide on how to confront difficult issues including sexism, racism, inequality, and injustice so that you can make the world (and yourself) better.

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Online Portals

This online resources is an in-depth look at systemic racism and how to address it.

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Project Implicit

Project Implicit is a non-profit organization and international collaborative network of researchers investigating implicit social cognition, or thoughts and feelings that are largely outside of conscious awareness and control.

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UnboundED

UnboundEd provides professional learning and free resources to teachers and leaders that address racism, includes culturally responsive strategies, and stresses the importance of grade-level instruction.

Access Now