Tackling Unconscious Bias in Further Education with Online Learning
As the CEO of an online college, I have seen firsthand (and I’m sure my colleagues would agree) how online learning can help combat unconscious bias in further education.
Unconscious bias is a pervasive problem in our society and it can have a significant impact on how people are treated in many areas of society. It can also lead to missed opportunities and lack of diversity in further education.
Unconscious bias is defined as a type of bias that we are not consciously aware of. It is an automatic and often subtle response to a situation, based on preconceived notions and stereotypes that we have developed over time and never challenged ourselves on. It impacts how we perceive and interact with others and can lead to unequal treatment of individuals based on things such as gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status and/or other personal traits.
In the context of further and even let’s also say higher education, unconscious bias can lead to missed opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
For example, a teacher might unconsciously assume that a student from a particular racial or ethnic background is less capable of academic achievement and give that student less attention or support – sometimes the opposite is also true. Similarly, a teacher might unconsciously favour students who share their background and certain characteristics to unequal treatment of students based on their identity.
Online learning can help tackle unconscious bias in further & higher education in several ways.
Firstly, online learning is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their backgrounds and characteristics. This means students from all walks of life have equal opportunities to participate in online courses and programmes without being subject to unconscious bias from teachers or administration.
Secondly, online courses can be used to provide training supports to teaching personnel to recognise unconscious bias in their teaching environment. Educators can learn strategies to promote a more inclusive learning environment and also connect with other educators and share best practices for promoting inclusivity and addressing bias in education.
Thirdly, online courses are designed to be self-paced which allows students to progress through the course at their own speed. This is particularly helpful to students who may need additional support or who may not have access to traditional classroom settings. eLearning allows students to connect with one another, fostering a sense of community and promoting a more inclusive learning experience.
Finally, e-learning can help promote a more diverse faculty with online courses which can be designed by educators from diverse backgrounds, including those who may not have had access to traditional academic pathways.
By promoting a more inclusive learning environment, providing training and support to educators and, providing a more equitable learning experience for learners, online learning can help tackle unconscious bias and promote a more diverse and inclusive learning experience.
As the CEO of an online college, I am committed to promoting inclusivity and addressing bias in education and I believe that online learning does play a critical role in achieving this goal.
Joe Walsh
Director
The Open College