The purpose of this module series is to provide undergraduate students in the field of speech-language pathology a way to link foundational speech science concepts to real-life applications. With the ever-changing landscape and diversification of our clients across the US, this module series emphasizes culturally-inclusive cases and patient-centered approaches. This series challenges students to reflect on their own biases, opinions, and beliefs, to begin a conversation surrounding how to approach clinical care from an empathetic and competent place.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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Students will gain knowledge in speech science concepts and measurement techniques to increase their ability to use and apply fundamental scientific knowledge
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Students will identify and describe real-life situations where they will be able to apply their speech sciences skills in a thoughtful and culturally responsive way
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Students will reflect on their own opinions, biases, and beliefs surrounding culturally-related topics in speech-language pathology in order to improve their ability to provide care that includes empathy, responsiveness, and humility.
Below you will find five pre-recorded modules. Each module is accompanied by additional student
resources and lab activities. If you are an instructor interested in further course materials (e.g., lab power points, learning assessments), please contact us directly at vsmechlab@ucmail.uc.edu.
MODULE 1 GENDER & COMMUNICATION
This module provides information on gender-based communication differences and how clinicians use that knowledge to guide gender-affirming communication therapy. (Transcript PDF) (YouTube Video)
MODULE 2 SOCIAL TRENDS IN SPEECH/VOICE
This module discusses social trends in speech, voice, and communication, as well as the judgments, perceptions, and biases we make when listening to someone speak. (Transcript PDF) (YouTube Video)
MODULE 3 ALLOPHONIC VARIATIONS IN ENGLISH
This module provides examples of allophonic variations of speech sounds and discusses how knowledge of phonemic inventories can inform speech-therapy services for accent modification. (Transcript PDF) (YouTube Video) Module 3: Student Resources and Lab Activities
MODULE 4 SPEECH AND TECHNOLOGY
This module provides foundational information on speech technology, with a particular focus on automatic speech recognition and the biases present in speech recognition software.(Transcript PDF) (YouTube Video)
MODULE 5 ASSESSMENT BIAS IN SPEECH SOUND DISORDERS
This module describes variations in speech sound productions in linguistically diverse children and discusses potential biases present in formalized speech sound assessments. (Transcript PDF) (YouTube Video)
Research on Learning Outcomes
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61 undergraduate students participated in a semester-long speech-science course with these embedded modules.
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Confidence of scientific and cultural knowledge increased an average of 1.6 Likert ratings points, with a final average confidence of 4.6/5 points across all modules.
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On average, students increased their content knowledge accuracy from 77% (pre) to 87% (post).
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Students showed an increase in empathy assessment (from 5.2 to 5.4/6) following the educational series. The largest increases were found in questions related to empathetic perspective taking, acceptance of cultural differences, and empathetic feeling and expression.
For more information, please see this poster (linked) presented at the National Black Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Conference in Washington DC, April 2023.
FUNDING
This work was funded by the Advancing Academic-Research Careers (AARC) Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM
OF CONTRIBUTORS:
Victoria McKenna, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Amy Hobeck, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Brittany Fletcher, M.S., CCC-SLP
Renee Gustin, M.S., CCC-SLP
Michelle Leon, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Amber Meadows-Yusko, M.S., CCC-SLP
Katelyn Reid, M.S., CCC-SLP
Savannah Shanley, B.S.