In a world of extreme technological advancement and change, it's often times difficult to know just what information we should hold onto in our minds and which information we should let go of. The most solid educational platform we can provide students is one that helps them understand how they make decisions, why they make certain decisions, and how to make the necessary adjustments that will help them lead happier, more successful lives.
More than anything, people want to know more about themselves and their place in the world. As such, understanding our responses and the reactions that are involved in formulating those responses is of infinite interest to us all, students in particular.
If you read the original post, The Top 10 Mental Shortcuts, you know that a bias is an inclination, temperament or outlook we hold. When new information is introduced, we rely on these biases, sometimes in order to save our mental energy for more tasking situations, and sometimes because we just can't help ourselves - or so we think.
Students are very familiar with the concept of bias, prejudice, and bigotry. They have been dealing with issues of this nature since elementary school when one child dislikes another child for what seems like "no real reason at all."
Most kids today understand that their computers have a processor inside, what they don't realize is that they, too, have a processor - their brain. Everyone's brains process information differently. Varied responses arise due to the variations in life experience. Even identical twins react differently to different stimuli.
Mapping how the mind processes information by looking to common biases is one way students can learn more about themselves and have fun in the process. It is also a very dignified way for students to learn how to adjust their thinking in a way that modifies their behavior toward more collaborative or positive outcomes. Since conflicts arise early in life, this lesson plan could be modified to the needs of younger students.
Intellectual goals can be more easily achieved when an individual is emotionally intelligent. Understanding ourselves is a pillar in the foundation of becoming a confident, competent citizen of the world.
For more information or sample lesson plans, contact me via email.
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