Project Overview

"Addressing Implicit Bias in the Workplace" is a visually creative and engaging concept project. Through the use of an instructor-led presentation and interactive activities, learners will be able to address their own implicit biases as well as learn how bias affects the workplace, and specific actions that can be taken to prioritize Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within an organization. 

Process 

Responsibilities: research, instructional design, scripting, interaction and visual design, eLearning development

Target Audience:  Corporate Employees, particularly those within HR

Tools: Articulate Storyline, Adobe Illustrator, Google Slides, Google Docs

Language: English

Year: 2022

Participants will be given a guide to lead them through the presentation and corresponding activities. At the conclusion of the presentation (created with Google Slides) the learners are given an eLearning activity (created with Articulate Storyline) that allowed them to apply the information from the presentation and assess their understanding.

Problem:

This concept project is targeted towards companies that are seeking to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization and improve hiring practices.  If stakeholders are able to naturally and effectively diversify their workplace through the implementation of effective implicit bias training, then data will improve. Many organizations invest heavily in training programs designed to reduce unconscious bias. However, it is debated whether or not bias training is effective. Studies report an absence of, or in some cases a negative impact from implicit bias training. My solution was to develop a training program that incorporates an instructor-led virtual training coupled with a story-driven eLearning scenario to increase engagement and retention for learners. This eLearning scenario is designed to allow learners to apply knowledge and take an active role in their training rather than simply being bombarded with statistics and information, which can often occur in implicit bias trainings.  This implicit bias training goes beyond a basic presentation of information and provides the learner with job aids such as a participants guide with helpful notes, activities, and a printable job aid for diverse hiring practices. Additionally, the learner is asked to test their knowledge by applying concepts to an interactive story-driven e-Learning scenario. 

Solution:

The usage of bright, inviting graphics throughout the presentation, as well as the use of a neutral mentor character sends the message to learners that while the nature of the training is serious, the environment the training is being given in is lighthearted and is not meant to target any particular employee. The implementation of these inviting graphics and engaging motivation activities seeks to address the deficiency needs according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, so that the learner can focus on growth needs- or the successful integration and implementation of the information from the training. The addition of an eLearning scenario to the VILT gives learners the chance to apply the knowledge from the instructor-led presentation, as well as maintain learner attention and support knowledge retention. Learners would be provided with a participant's guide containing all information and activities covered during the training, as well as further resources to promote learner research outside of the time limits of the training, and allow for autonomous learning. Facilitators are also provided with a guide. I made each activity within the training as interactive and engaging as possible by making them meaningful and straightforward. Additionally, to anticipate the needs of diverse learners, I pulled multiple facets from essential learning theories such as the ADDIE model and Gagne's 9 Events to develop this project.