The Worldview Literacy Project advances the development of empathy by fostering appreciation for diverse worldviews and enhancing skills for global citizenship.

Problem

Empathy requires two things: the capacity to recognize another’s state of being and the ability to see another’s point of view (perspective taking). Evolutionary science suggests this is easier to do with people who are MORE like us, and harder with people who are LESS like us. As globalization, technology and urbanization draw together divergent cultures, we face unprecedented challenges in education. The Worldview Literacy Project (WVLP) is an innovative program designed to foster empathy and compassion in middle and high-school students. The pioneering science-based curriculum involves an understanding that beliefs are embedded within personal and cultural frames of reference, and encourages the cultivation of empathy and deep appreciation for diverse perspectives.

Solution

The WVLP focuses not only on what kids know, but how they know it. Using a research-based model, the series of lessons builds essential capacities that science suggests promote empathy and compassion in these domains: 1) Intrapersonal: Students become aware of the way they view the world, their self-identity, beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions. This involves specific experiential exercises designed to increase metacognition, awareness of worldview, cognitive flexibility, and curiosity. 2) Interpersonal/relational: Once students become aware of their own perspectives, we engage them in activities to understand the perspectives of others, their sense of belonging or connectedness to a larger whole, and specific exercises that promote prosocial attitudes and behaviors such as empathy, compassion and forgiveness.

Example

Our pilot programs with over 1500 students suggest that our focus on developing awareness of worldviews promotes empathy and compassion and fosters social and emotional well-being in children. It provides tools for becoming effective leaders and engaged global citizens. In one classroom that struggled with the challenge of diverse worldviews, for example, the WVLP helped students create a classroom environment of inclusivity and collaboration. By promoting team building through collaborative projects, another group of students applied their new learning by creating an afterschool mentorship program. In this project, teachers from diverse classrooms will participate in a 3-day professional development workshop to infuse 18 pilot tested, experiential multi-media lessons into their classrooms. This innovative program is available on the Collaborize Classroom online platform (http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com/) allowing it to be easily accessed, distributed widely, and adapted to specific populations, providing the capacity for diverse classrooms across the country and around the world to share learning experiences. The teacher training will be supplemented by a year-long webinar program offering ongoing support. An online discussion forum will be available for teachers to share best practices, strategize around challenges and possibilities, and communicate stories and results that will inspire others.

Marketplace

Programs like Second Step - teaching skills to help students deal with issues of bullying, conflict, and emotional management, and Roots of Empathy - aiming to reduce levels of aggression among schoolchildren by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy (both K-8) are examples of peers. The WVLP differentiates itself through 1) focusing on worldview, 2) targeting middle/high school students, 3) including a component on wise action in the world, and 4) utilizing Collaborize Classroom for ease of use and scalability. Our goal is to collaborate with other programs that are advancing the development of empathy as a core competency.