How can instructors avoid biases in the classroom?
To avoid biases, instructors can:
- Educate themselves on their own cultural background and the cultural background of their students.
- Understand biases and the effects of their biases when interacting with students.
- Examine the needs of their students in relation to their cultural background.
- Understand the cultural biases that their students may have.
- Intervene immediately should a student disparage the culture, language, and lifestyle of another student.
- Provide opportunities in the classroom of learning about different cultures in a sympathetic and effective manner.
- Review materials that are used in the classroom for any biases. Select materials that represent the variety of groups and individuals that comprise of America as a pluralistic society. Also, ensure that the inclusion of these groups is done in a non-biased manner. Look for inappropriate language and terminology which may result in stereotypes or omissions of an individual or group. Base instruction and activities on a wide variety of views and information that are built on sound evidence of the facts.
