Facilitator guide: Algorithmic Bias & Systemic Justice

Note for whoever leads this: this module touches on race, gender, disability, and class. Keep the focus on how systems work, never on individual students, and let anyone pass.

Card decks for Step 4

Use the Step 3 numbers scaled to 20. Group A deck: 20 cards, 10 marked “will reoffend.” Start with 15 in the high-risk pile (9 marked) and 5 in the low-risk pile (1 marked). Group B deck: 20 cards, 6 marked. Start with 5 high (3 marked) and 15 low (3 marked). Both high piles start at 60% marked, and both low piles at 20%. Wrongful flags start at 6 of 10 in Group A and 2 of 14 in Group B. Learners move cards to try to equalize both.

Timing for a 75-minute class

For 60 minutes, do the Step 2 sort as a whole class. For 90 minutes, let groups present their Step 4 choices and defend them.

Minutes	What happens	Format
0-3	Pre-check	Individual
3-10	Step 1: guess the sources of the gap before reading on	Whole class
10-22	Step 2 and the sort	Pairs
22-34	Step 3: work the numbers on the board, then the Amsterdam case	Whole class
34-48	Step 4 Try it with the slider or cards	Pairs
48-58	Step 5 audit scenario	Groups of four
58-62	Step 6 quick check	Individual
62-71	Step 7: ARK’s view, reflect, then the fix-it corners	Individual, then whole class
71-75	Step 8 recap and post-check	Whole class

Before you start

• Keep discussion on systems and evidence. Never ask students to share their own experiences of discrimination, and let anyone pass.
• Some students may have family members affected by criminal justice, health, or housing systems. Present cases calmly and avoid graphic detail.
• In Step 3, slow down. Draw both groups on the board and count together. The point lands when students see that the math, not anyone’s bad intent, forces the trade-off. Amsterdam then shows it happening to a city that tried to do everything right.
• ARK’s view is an opinion, labeled as one. Invite students to argue with it. No grade depends on agreeing.

Discussion prompts

Use the deck’s “Ban it or fix it?” debate and “Where’s the real fix?” corners.

Answer notes

Quick check: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 C, 5 B. Pre/post: 1 B, 2 A, 3 C. If learners choose A on quick check question 5, ask who the average hides.