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JoC
24th-June-2005, 01:27 PM
I've been attempting to do a web based 'Diversity training' course that myself and all my colleagues have been instructed, quite rightly and with the best intentions, to undertake.

Anybody else had to do training like this?

Have realised how ignorant I am about many of the cultures that exist in the UK. :o Am a little worried that by learning a topic like this by means of a basic web course, the old 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing' could kick in. Especially when you see some of the huge assumptions the programme suggests you make based on someone's appearance (in terms of race, religion, language) when the previous module stresses how dangerous is it to judge on appearances!

All in all, rather than being usefully more aware, I feel better equipped to inadvertently insult by attempting to apply my new found knowledge!

Would be interested to know if anyone knows of a useful reference to cultural diversity in the UK.

From a newly realised, culturally challenged little thing.

Barry Shnikov
24th-June-2005, 02:04 PM
Well, what's the URL? We can all have a go.

(imagines: "Turbans are worn by: a) moslems b) sikhs c) homeopaths"?)

ducasi
24th-June-2005, 02:06 PM
We did this – maybe even the same web-based one.

It starts off with a wee test to challenge you. Then you go through all its bits, taking more tests as you go and finish off with a mega test at the end.

I found my test scores slowly falling as I went through the course, along with my will to live. :wink:

LMC
24th-June-2005, 02:46 PM
Just cultural diversity huh?

What about disabled people? - workplace diversity should include differently abled as well as different colours/religions/cultures

JoC
24th-June-2005, 04:40 PM
Just cultural diversity huh?

What about disabled people?

You're absolutely right, it did include gender, disability, ageism and sexual orientation as well as race, religion & belief. It was the last one there I am now most screwed up about! The questions/answers/factoids about a select list of ethnic/cultural groups seemed a little random and extremely limited... it seemed to recommend making some rather big assumptions about the religion and language spoken based on appearance or name, not to mention throwing in a few customs that relied on you having made the correct assumption about race religion and belief in the first instance. :(

I looked to see if this could be accessed by anyone but it seems to be confined to a corporate intranet. It's definitely a ready made package though that obviously has the logo of the buying organisation slapped on the front page...

Anyway, it'll all be alright because if I get enough questions correct in the final assessment I will receive a certificate that I can frame and hang on the (imaginary) wall beside my desk, and it will mean that I am diversity-aware. :o

John S
24th-June-2005, 04:44 PM
it did include ageism
So I'll still get the occasional dance then?

John S
24th-June-2005, 04:48 PM
Does this mean you have to be tolerant of those from different dance cultures as well, even Line Dancers and Lindy Hoppers? :sick:

Dreadful Scathe
24th-June-2005, 05:07 PM
Well there is this (http://www.tolerance.org/hidden_bias/)

JoC
24th-June-2005, 05:46 PM
I now have my self-printed certificate - yipee!!! I am ready and fully equipped to insult and offend people of every sort (can I call people 'sorts' - worry worry worry...where's the 'extremely anxious smiley')! I'm going to check out that other link when I've recovered.

Barry Shnikov
24th-June-2005, 05:55 PM
Well there is this (http://www.tolerance.org/hidden_bias/)

Just taken the IAT test on black/white.

Not sure I concur with their basic assumption that responding quickly to some pairings and less quickly to others constitutes evidence of an implict attitude. It could equally well mean that the processing centre of my brain works better with images on the right and text on the left, or something similar.

I would need to see more information before I would accept the basic premise of this type of testing. It seems superficially attractive, but then so does the lie detector.