The Eyes have it: using experiential learning to explore bias
Conference Tracks
Learning Theories and Pedagogy – Research
Abstract
Experiential learning involves experiences and processing of those experiences, so learners gain meaningful knowledge, skills, and insights. In this study, researchers examined the effects of adding an experiential component to a lesson on diversity on student learning and commitment to addressing personal biases. Participants were engaged in a“brown eye/ blue experience” and debriefing similar to one first conceived by Jane Elliot. The experience was intentionally designed to create discomfort. Quantitative comparison of control and experimental groups and qualitative analysis of open-ended responses indicate that the experiential component led to better understanding of and commitment to addressing personal biases.
Session Format
Research Brief and Reflection Panels
Location
Room 2
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Bloom, Lisa; Notselmyer, Candy; Rush, Charmion; Hahn, Sur Ah; Buskey, Pam; and Westbrook, Tonya, "The Eyes have it: using experiential learning to explore bias" (2019). SoTL Commons Conference. 22.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2019/22
The Eyes have it: using experiential learning to explore bias
Room 2
Experiential learning involves experiences and processing of those experiences, so learners gain meaningful knowledge, skills, and insights. In this study, researchers examined the effects of adding an experiential component to a lesson on diversity on student learning and commitment to addressing personal biases. Participants were engaged in a“brown eye/ blue experience” and debriefing similar to one first conceived by Jane Elliot. The experience was intentionally designed to create discomfort. Quantitative comparison of control and experimental groups and qualitative analysis of open-ended responses indicate that the experiential component led to better understanding of and commitment to addressing personal biases.
