How can you address unconscious bias in the classroom?

A simple step like setting aside time to go over everyday interactions with others and asking thoughtful questions like What causes my responses to... or What kind of emotion do I usually have when...? could be a way to start this. We can eventually have more dots connected and determine which presumptions we wish to challenge when we consistently reflect on our habits. This beneficial habit could also facilitate lifetime learning by expanding the range of topics to be explored frequently.

Once I did an interactive presentation for a humanities class to show how we subconsciously judge people. I showed a series of just headshots of men and women of various ages and race. The class was asked to answer a series of questions: education level, relationship status, parental status, number of children, criminal background, and occupation. At the end the answers were revealed, and everyone's minds were blown by how different the truth was from their perceptions. Not only did it open up the conversation, but it also served as an excellent intro and segue for the next presenter. It was on how to address and try to correct our own internal biases, and how to deal with it coming from others.

Self-awareness is key in dismantling unconscious biases. As a happiness and mindset coach, I often emphasize the power of reflection. For example, encouraging teachers to journal about their daily interactions with students and identify any subtle biases that may have influenced their decisions. This mindful approach fosters a more inclusive and equitable classroom environment.

Addressing biases starts with self-awareness. Educators should reflect on their own biases through mindfulness practices. Encouraging regular self-reflection helps in recognizing and acknowledging biases. Professional development, focusing on bias awareness, equips teachers with tools to counteract unconscious prejudices. By fostering a culture of open dialogue, educators create a safe space for discussions on biases, promoting understanding. These practices align with embodied education, emphasizing self-awareness and contribute to an inclusive and equitable classroom environment.

The attention of educators, teachers student-teachers and students should be called to the pre-eminence of democratic education and ways to fosters democratic thinking, believes and practices within the classroom. Unconscious biases are products of stereotypes, social stratification, traditional believes and norms which tend to condition teachers and students behaviour in the classroom. These unconscious biases include gender, age, place of origin, race ethnicity, social economic status (SES), above average, average and below average intelligent quotient, and physical, mental, and neurotic challenges. Promoting democratic education in the classroom reduce, if not stop or total control of unconscious bias in the classroom.

The ways to facilitate can be varied and blended to suit the situation. It can start by delivering insightful stories, photographs, or videos via email or group chats, followed by evoking thinking questions to pique the curiosity of individuals. The content can also be organized into bite-sized topics that can be discussed on specific occasions. So that we can not only start with small initiatives quickly but also cultivate a positive habit of exploring and learning collectively.

Education is the key to dismantling unconscious bias in the classroom. By fostering awareness about its impact, sources, and effects, we empower ourselves and others to make informed decisions. Sharing resources like books, articles, and workshops can spark valuable conversations, promoting a collective commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment. I recently organized a workshop where we discussed real-life scenarios, shedding light on subtle biases and their consequences. The more we learn, the better equipped we are to foster a fair and supportive educational space.

I always find taking time in researching beyond, so you are able to give a good rounded view. Seeking others perceptions and experience as well.

Implement a variety of differentiated teaching and learning methods in the classroom. Recognize that each student has their own pace and preferred style of learning. While it can be challenging to cater to each individual, my experience shows that students are more eager to learn and excel when their unique needs are met. Often, they mirror the behavior modeled by the teacher, adopting similar approaches with their peers. This not only enhances their learning experience but also turns them into leaders in knowledge sharing and instruction.

Diversifying curriculum and pedagogy is indeed a powerful way to address unconscious bias in the classroom. One example is incorporating literature, history, and scientific contributions from a range of cultures. This not only enriches the learning experience but also promotes inclusivity, fostering a positive mindset among students.

Incorporating diverse perspectives in the curriculum entails selecting materials that represent various cultures, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This approach involves integrating multicultural perspectives into lessons, connecting global and local issues, and ensuring authentic representation in educational materials. By fostering critical thinking and exploring diverse viewpoints, educators contribute to a curriculum that aligns with embodied education and alternative schooling principles. This not only enriches students' understanding but also promotes inclusivity and cultural competence in the learning environment. This leads to the substantial reduction in the unconscious biases.

I always look at keeping things live in the curriculum, providing diversity in different ways using I.T., guests, and not relying on one thing, or the same things.

Seeking feedback and actively tracking improvement are key steps in dealing with prejudice. We can acquire different viewpoints on our teaching techniques and relationships by asking for?feedback from students, colleagues, and experts, which helps detect unconscious biases. Using data and evidence to evaluate results provides for an objective assessment of the influence of our teaching approaches. This assessment aids in identifying trends or gaps that may suggest the presence of bias. The feedback and statistics should guide our actions and adjustments, allowing us to modify our behavior, teaching tactics, and classroom atmosphere to reduce bias.

Point 4 notes “You can solicit feedback from your students, colleagues, and experts on your teaching practices and interactions,…” I would add it’s important to seek diverse feedback within those subgroups and constituents. For example, seek feedback from students in different courses/ context, from different backgrounds, with diverse experiences in their engagement with you—specifically, you may glean more from a student or colleague with whom you’ve had differences of perspective. Attending to unconscious biases and blind spots requires insights from those who can ‘see’ our gaps and/ or see us and our engagement through diverse and critically-informed lenses.

Seeking feedback opens up valuable perspectives and helps create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. I often encourage my clients to implement a "feedback loop" in their mindset journey. Just like in the classroom, regularly seeking feedback allows for continuous growth and ensures that biases are addressed promptly. I remember working with a teacher who started collecting anonymous feedback from students to understand their diverse experiences better. This simple yet powerful step led to adjustments in teaching methods and ultimately fostered a more positive and unbiased classroom atmosphere.

Asking how students think things went, getting colleagues in to observe to give feedback, gaining feedback from guests. Taking time to reflect as well on aspects, as an on going thing.

Teamwork is so important. Gaining others perspectives, experience and advice, even as a guest in the lessons as an expert, or to share their experiences. Gaining feedback from colleagues observations can also be really helpful. Collaborative teaching is also great.

Collaboration is a powerful tool to address unconscious bias in the classroom. When educators support and collaborate with one another, they create a synergistic environment where diverse perspectives and ideas flourish. An example could be forming a cross-disciplinary team to develop inclusive curriculum materials, ensuring a comprehensive approach that reflects the richness of diverse experiences.

Modeling diversity and inclusion can be particularly fun for everyone. One of the better examples I’ve always seen has been the expression of the different types of food, and or dance that we bring to the table in diverse cultural elements. Leaning into the fascinating differences and respectful tones of the classroom culture can be a truly effective way to encourage belonging.

Promoting critical thinking with diverse viewpoints is a potent strategy for modeling diversity and inclusion in education. Educators, by presenting varied perspectives, empower students to analyze information critically, question assumptions, and grasp a nuanced understanding of the world. This enriches the learning experience, fostering empathy and an appreciation for peers' unique backgrounds. Embracing diverse viewpoints enables students to navigate complexity, challenge stereotypes, and contribute to a more inclusive dialogue. The classroom transforms into a microcosm of the diverse world, promoting belonging for students of all backgrounds and cultivating a culture actively celebrating respect for differences.

Apart from all of above suggestions, Cultivating mindfulness practices in the classroom should also be considered. This involves promoting self-awareness among educators and students. Incorporate brief mindful moments like focused breathing or body awareness exercises to enhance consciousness. These practices enable individuals to recognize and acknowledge their biases. By integrating mindfulness into the daily routine, educators foster a non-judgmental atmosphere, encouraging a deeper understanding of personal biases. This approach aligns with embodied education principles, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in addressing unconscious biases, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.