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Culturally Inclusive Communication

CMU faculty and staff who want to increase their cultural communication competency can do so through a new pilot between the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the software company Kognito.

Cultivating Inclusive Communities is a new simulated learning experience offered by Kognito, a New York-based company that specializes in evidence-based healthcare simulations and training. For its part, CMU is providing another professional development tool for employees to expand their ongoing growth related to equity and inclusion.

The Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is overseeing the project as part of its diversity education efforts. Participation is voluntary, anonymous, and open to all employee groups. Kognito maintains all data collected as part of the pilot study. Students will benefit indirectly through an anticipated change in the campus climate.

The journey through the simulation only takes 30 minutes to use thereby offering participants the freedom to engage with the program as their schedules allow. The training uses the power of conversation to explore how individuals think, act, and show compassion.

The simulation is comprised of three main parts. The first is the simulated practice, which Kognito reports has been proven to strengthen critical reflection skills and lead to self-awareness. In addition, participants will gain key communication concepts, such as motivational interviewing, that are intended to increase confidence to further create inclusive communities. When completed, users receive feedback based on the choices made throughout the exercise.

Participants will be able to assess the personal impact of the simulated experience through pre- and post-assessments administered by Kognito as part of the support offered. The pilot study is set to conclude by May.

General user access instructions

  1. Using a compatible browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, navigate to https://kognitocampus.com/.
  2. Create a new account by selecting “Click Here” above the email and password fields.
  3. Follow the prompts and enter the appropriate enrollment key;
    • Faculty/Staff: kognitodei (NOT case sensitive).
  1. Follow the on-screen instructions to access the simulations page.
  2. Select the desired simulation tile and click “Launch” to begin the simulation.