ERIC Number: EJ1216599
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-2984
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Available Date: N/A
A Close Encounter with Personal Bias: Pedagogical Implications for Teacher Education
Clark, Patricia; Zygmunt, Eva
Journal of Negro Education, v83 n2 p147-161 Spr 2014
This qualitative study explored the reactions of practicing teachers when presented with an "encounter" experience that challenged them to examine their own bias in an on-line graduate course. In this case, the encounter experience was completing two Implicit Association Tests--one on race and one on skin tone. The researchers examined the discussion board entries of 302 early childhood and elementary teachers enrolled in the course and found that teacher reactions generally typified one of five categories: (a) disregard for the results, (b) disbelief in the results, (c) acceptance of the results, (d) discomfort with the results, and, finally, (e) distress with the results. The results are discussed in the context of helping teachers become aware of the potential impact of bias on the teaching and learning process. Pedagogical strategies to mediate the typology of reactions to the suggestion of personal bias are highlighted.
Descriptors: Bias, Teacher Education Programs, Preschool Teachers, Elementary School Teachers, Graduate Study, Online Courses, Teacher Attitudes, Racial Bias, Ethnic Stereotypes, Teacher Expectations of Students, Inferences, Beliefs, Reflection, Consciousness Raising
Howard University School of Education. 2900 Van Ness Street NW, Washington, DC 20008. Tel: 202-806-8120; Fax: 202-806-8434; e-mail: journalnegroed@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.journalnegroed.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A