Do Boys and Girls Learn Differently and What Can Teachers Do?

What does research tell us about the brain? Recent studies have discovered that there are at least 100 structural and functional differences between a male and female brain. These differences impact learning.

Biological factors that influence learning in the female brain Large corpus callosum, this connects the 2 hemispheres and is 25% larger by adolescence. This means girls can transition better. Stronger neural connectors in the temporal lobes. She can store sensual details better, listen better, and discriminate tone of voice. This naturally allows girls to write in more detail. 15% more blood flow to the brain. She will naturally pursue tasks like reading and writing. Larger hypocampus, this is a memory storage place. This gives an advantage in learning. (especially in language arts) More active and earlier developed frontal cortex, and higher serotonin levels. As a result girls are less impulsive. Reorient process does not have a rest state. Even if they are bored they will continue to take notes, and can pay attention especially if there is a lot of talking. Most of the cortical section is devoted to verbal emotional.

A look at the male brain Lateralized brain. Brain is compartmentalized. Can not multi-task like girls can. Also contributes to short attention span. Cortex in mostly visual spatial. They have half the brain space females have for verbal, emotional tasks. As a result boys want to move and do things. Less serotonin and oxytocin production. Oxytocin is the relational bonding hormone. Because of this boys are more likely to be impulsive, talk out in class, and less likely to sit still, and fight the urges to move around. Brain goes through a renewal, recharge and reorient process, where the brain enters a rest state. Girls do not have the rest state. Boys will show boredom more, sleep, zone out, or fidget. The more words the teacher uses, the more likely that the brain will enter this “rest state.”

If males and females are different, how can teachers be gender sensitive? Be aware of the differences in how boys and girls learn. Receive gender training. Develop strategies and lessons that appeal to both males and females. Single-sex classrooms.

“Children naturally, gravitate toward activities that their brains experience as pleasurable– ‘pleasure’ meaning in neural terms the richest personal stimulation.” Michael Gurian The female brain likes stimulates such as reading and writing that involve complex texture, tonality, and mental activity. Male brain is better suited for symbols, abstractions, diagrams, pictures, and objects moving through space.

Single-sex classrooms An all boys or all girls learning environment. Either can be taught by a male or female. In a co-ed classroom it is simply harder to meet the needs of boys and girls. Could be doing away with gender stereotypes. In each classroom they can feel free to pursue whatever they want. Girls can be science whizzes, boys can be artists, girls won’t dominate class discussions.

Example of a classroom suited for the typical male learning style Boys need more space: casual, less organized and varied. Maybe some desks, tables, an easy chair, and carpet to lay on. More freedom: work alone or in groups. More movement and noise. Very physical, hands on to get the brain stimulated. While the blood is flowing because they are moving they work on verbal, emotional and writing tasks. Example: block building to improve verbal skills.

Do single-sex classrooms really work? University of Missouri study (1998-2000) Teachers received gender training. Edison Elementary was at bottom of 18 rose and to top five, only 2 students required state mandated retesting, also a reduction in disciplinary problems. “The bolter” There are 154 public schools in the US that offer single-sex classrooms. Studies in Alabama and Kentucky showed improvement in test scores after moving to single-sex classrooms. There are 154 public schools in the US that offer the single-sex classroom learning environment.

For more information on male and female learning styles and meeting their individual needs… Michael Gurian website: www.michaelgurian.com The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian The Wonder of Girls by Michael Gurian

All students can learn when they are taught in ways that are stimulating to their brain. The key is to teach each subject in way that appeals to the type of brains in the classroom. Teachers who are trained and know these differences can profoundly affect the education of all students.