Empathy Interviews
Overview
A first step to supporting learners is truly understanding who they are. Empathy interviews are open-ended conversations in which an educator or practitioner asks questions and actively listens to learn about students' past experiences to best support learners. These conversations are typically structured with a predetermined protocol to help educators ask the right questions to achieve their goals. These interviews provide educators with an opportunity to understand their students' identity beyond the classroom walls and how that intersects with their school experience. This method provides educators with insight into the challenges students face, their strengths, and their Sense of Belonging in school. When performed properly, empathy interviews should allow educators to truly empathize with their students, which can have profound results cognitively, behaviorally, and academically for learners.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch this demonstration empathy interview with an adult learner to learn more about how to implement this strategy in various settings.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
This video walks through the intricacies of fostering online discussion, including ways to preserve student anonymity, facilitate meaningful and respectful discussion, and utilize direct correspondence in the classroom.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Culturally Responsive Strategies
Developing empathy in educators and in learners is an iterative process that requires taking the time to understand and honor others' perspectives.
Developing cultural awareness as an educator is an ongoing process that includes building empathy for diverse learners, intentionally recognizing how one's own identity intersects with learners' identities, and creating an awareness of how the environment can impact learners' Sense of Belonging.
Discussions about race can range from celebrating the importance of diversity to understanding the impact of racism from the perspective of those who have been historically marginalized.
