Teacher's Lens

We are leveraging VR technology to provide immersive bias training designed to improve minority/underrepresented student outcomes in the classroom. 

Research shows teacher expectations are an extremely powerful predictor of student success. In fact, when teacher expectations are high, it can even raise students' IQ (Rosenthal and Johnson, 1968). Unfortunately, recent national survey of more than 70,000 schools found that students of color and female students in STEM classes are not being given the same chance to succeed as their peers. Interdisciplinary academic research concludes that teachers’ low and negative expectations (driven by stereotypes) of minority/underrepresented students hurt their performance in school.  

In addition, existing stereotypes about Blacks and Latinos as being less intelligent and less capable lead to a general perception among students of colors that they must overachieve to be perceived as equal to their white counterparts. Black students are three times more likely to face disciplinary action—including out of school suspension—than their white peers. Black students are also more likely to be punished for subjective offenses like “defiance” according to Stanford researchers. This leads to higher dropout rates among blacks and Latinos, which subsequently means lower college matriculation rates and higher incarceration rates.

For female students in STEM classes, a multitude of studies have consistently shown that their male counterparts are more favored and perceived to be more capable in technical classes by male and female instructors--regardless of performance. The behavior associated with this leads to less support for female students and correlates to the decline in retention for the diversity pipeline in STEM careers in western society. 

Virtual Reality is a potential game changer for addressing the problem of social biases with more and more research revealing its potential for changing the way we think and feel about others. While there are many tools available for providing physical training, there have been no real tools to date to be able to resourcefully administer the soft-skills necessary that are at the core of driving impact to student outcomes in the classroom. Current traditional methods of diversity and inclusion training have been proven to be largely ineffective. One-day workshops and lectures have been found to be an irrational approach to facilitating sustainable behavior change impacted by cognitive beliefs.  

Our VR experience is unique because we will give teachers the opportunity to recognize their own prejudice and re-train their associations between female/students of color and their capabilities. We believe that we can leverage the unique capabilities of VR technology to design immersive experiences that are not only shown to be more engaging but also proven to be more cost-effective at reducing bias. Teacher’s Lens is an experience designed only for teachers, by changing their expectations, students will experience profound benefits.   

Virtual Reality is a potential game changer for addressing the problem of social biases with more and more research revealing its potential for changing the way we think and feel about others. While many tools available for providing physical training, there are no real tools to date to resourcefully administer the soft-skills necessary that are at the core of driving impact to student outcomes in the classroom. Current traditional methods of diversity and inclusion training have proven to be largely ineffective. One-day workshops/lectures are an irrational approach to facilitating sustainable behavior change impacted by cognitive beliefs.  

VR technology allows us to create dynamic environments and interactions that provide a safe space for teachers to practice inclusive behavior. All the while, improving engagement and the ability to quantify soft skills that can provide a feedback loop that can be tracked and measured for progress and impact.

Access to ongoing training modules through immersive simulated environments, have shown to impact cognitive behavior relative to real life experiences. We believe that this solution is not only more accessible, but more resourceful, engaging, and sustainable to implement and maintain.

Complete development of an evidence-based debiasing protocol with 5 modules for on-going use.

We are in the development phase for the last 3 modules:

3. 3 debiasing game modules, designed to elicit positive emotions associated with pro-inclusive behavior that they can exercise, and in-effect, reduce hidden biases.

4. Add a social vr component allowing teachers in the US to meet in a virtual environment and exchange tips and tricks for handling tough student situations.

5.  Design a dashboard displaying progress and results comparison over time. Admins can monitor activity and hold the product accountable to student outcomes.

With the Beta launch of Teacher’s Lens on the Oculus store and our online social media platforms, conferences, and events we are building a community around our product and relationships with our target market, charging for demos and workshops. Through the one day workshops, we pitch companies to adopt our platform, partner for implementation, and investment opportunities, strategically designed to help them meet goals. Partnered institutions will receive hardware and software installation and training. VR equipment will be located in a designated personal space for workforce access to use with throughout their workday. Weekly activity is monitored by admins. 

We have 1500+ downloads on the Oculus Store platform with for workshop services request from two large corporations and two nonprofit organizations. 

Clorama pioneered VR for accessible bias training at the University of the Arts London,  while researching technological solutions for reducing social bias in the tech workplace for her MA Thesis. In 2015, she created the first VR debiasing game for the Oculus DK2 and since worked to create numerous anti-bias VR experiences for the London Neuropsychology Clinic,  University College of London and Hyphen-Labs. Her work expands institutions in healthcare, civic tech, law enforcement and the tech industry. In 2017, she was a winner for Oculus Launch Pad along with co-founder Jessica Outlaw for Teacher's Lens