Exploring Gender Differences in Learning Styles

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Gender Differences in Learning
American schools are facing a huge dilemma: boys and girls are statistically doing different in school, with girls having the upper hand. For example, in some states, boys have the average of an entire letter grade below girls according to the article “Gender-Friendly Schools.” The article adds that roughly 70% of the D’s and F’s in school grades are given to boys and more than half of the A’s are given to girls. With evidence of a gender difference in learning, scientists and educators are looking for the source, namely nature or nurture, and if the learning difference is gender based or individual orientated. Based on the evidence surrounding learning, suggestions are given to teachers to ensure that all students are able to learn.
Although there is sufficient evidence of a difference between male and female brains, the controversy pertains whether this contrast is a fact of nature or a magnification based upon nurture. Kelley King, Michael Gurian, and Kathy Stevens argue that the difference in learning is a product of nature, thus advocating for a teaching style accommodating gender differences, in an article titled “Gender-Friendly Schools.” They offer many examples of gender brain differences that can have a great effect on the classroom. Girls tend to be good at “deskbound” learning, mainly because their prefrontal cortex is more active allowing them to sit still, have better decision making, and better at learning verbally. Boys on the other hand tend to be quite the opposite. They often are graphic and kinesthetic learners, and are easily bored if the classroom information is not prevalent to survival. Neurologist, Lise Eliot, adds that baby boys tend to be more...

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...f preferences across the learning styles are fairly spread out, with nearly an equal percentage for every learning style. This is just one more reason for educators to teach in a variety of styles to ensure that all students will learn and also to challenge every child’s learning styles with variety.
The gender learning difference is an enormous issue surrounding our school systems. Debates have taken place to determine the source of this learning difference and if it is even based on gender or if it is individually based. Nevertheless, new suggestions are being made to promote the educational growth in every child. By better understanding gender differences in learning, America’s worries about not giving every child the education he/she needs can be put to rest as precautions are taken to ensure students of all learning styles have the ability to succeed in school.

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