Last month, I spoke on bias in learning design at the ATD Conference 2023 in San Diego, CA on. My exact title, “Could Your Bias Be Derailing Your Talent Development Brand?” I chose this topic to bring your attention to that impacts the quality and inclusivity of our instructional design efforts: bias in instructional design.
Understanding Bias in Learning Design
Whether you are a full-time Learning & Development professional or it is a portion of the work that you lead, we must create learning experiences that cater our learners’ diverse needs and backgrounds. However, bias can unknowingly seep into our design processes, potentially marginalizing individuals or perpetuating inequalities.
Recognizing the consequences of biased instructional design is crucial. For example, when instructional materials and assessments fail to consider the unique perspectives and experiences of learners from different cultures, ethnicities, or socioeconomic backgrounds, it can hinder their learning and contribute to inequitable outcomes.
Strategies for Inclusive Instructional Design
I want to propose some strategies for promoting unbiased instructional design:
Diverse Perspectives: Encourage collaboration with a diverse group of instructional designers and subject matter experts. We can identify and address potential biases in our instructional materials by incorporating a wide range of perspectives.
Culturally Responsive Design: Embrace culturally responsive design principles by acknowledging and respecting our learners’ diverse backgrounds and experiences. Incorporate inclusive language, diverse images, and examples that reflect various cultures and contexts.
Implicit Bias Training: Provide training on implicit bias to our instructional design team. Increasing awareness of our biases can help us make more informed design decisions and mitigate unconscious biases that may influence the learning experiences of our students.
User Testing and Feedback: Actively involve learners in the design process through regular user testing and feedback sessions. By listening to their perspectives and experiences, we can identify and address potential biases, ensuring that our instructional materials are relevant and engaging for all learners.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly evaluate our instructional materials and assessments for bias. Seek feedback from diverse stakeholders and be open to making necessary revisions to eliminate bias and promote inclusivity.
These strategies help us work towards creating a more inclusive learning environment where every learner feels seen, heard, and valued.
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