Cultivating Empathy and Ethics in Performance Support Education

• In Event: Empowering Learners Through Reflection, Choice, and Participatory Practices: Innovative Approaches in Education

Abstract

This study explores the potential of educating for human-centered approaches to performance support. We redesigned a master's-level course to prioritize human flourishing over process optimization, integrating principles from learning theories. Using learning experience network analysis, we examined student reflections, identifying five distinct clusters of student experiences. Our findings emphasize the importance of creating learning environments that encourage deep reflection, collaborative problem-solving, and real-world application. The success of activities such as peer feedback, user interviews, and reflective assignments highlights the value of experiential learning in developing empathy and contextual understanding. This approach prepares students to be thoughtful, ethical practitioners capable of designing performance support interventions that enhance both individual and organizational well-being in diverse contexts.

Authors

• Jonan Phillip Donaldson, University of Alabama - Birmingham

• Joyce Bibi Katompa, University of Alabama - Birmingham