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To broaden efforts for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in biomedical engineering (BME) education—a key area of emphasis is the integration of inclusive teaching practices. While BME faculty generally support these efforts, translating support into action remains challenging. This project aimed to address this need through a 3-phase inclusive teaching training, consisting of graduate students, faculty, and engineering education consultants. In Phase I, graduate students and faculty participated in a 6-week learning community on inclusive teaching (Foundational Learning). In Phase II, graduate students were paired with faculty to modify or develop new inclusive teaching materials to be integrated into a BME course (Experiential Learning). Phase III was the implementation of these materials. To assess Phases I & II, graduate student participants reflected on their experiences on the project. To assess Phase III, surveys were administered to students in IT-BME-affiliated courses as well as those taking other BME-related courses. Phases I & II: graduate students responded positively to the opportunity to engage in this inclusive teaching experiential learning opportunity. Phase III: survey results indicated that the incorporation of inclusive teaching practices in BME courses enhanced the student learning experience. The IT-BME project supported graduate students and faculty in learning about, creating, and implementing inclusive teaching practices in a collaborative and supportive environment. This project will serve to both train the next class of instructors and use their study of inclusive teaching concepts to facilitate the creation of ideas and materials that will benefit the BME curriculum and students.
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Using simSchool to Enhance simEquity for Preservice and Inservice Teachers
Bias reduction in teaching practices is an important step in enabling students to achieve their best in the classroom and beyond. The simEquity project using the simSchool simulated teaching platform is focused on helping educators to recognize, reflect on and reduce implicit biases that may exist in their beliefs and teaching practices. The innovation playground session will introduce attendees to the project and allow them to experience the platform to see the possible impact the program can have in teacher education.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2118849
- PAR ID:
- 10346342
- Editor(s):
- E. Langran & D. Rutledge
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Proceedings of the SITE Interactive Online Conference
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 302-305
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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