Male vs. female brains in education...

Today in our professional training without students at school, we read and discussed an article discussing male vs. female brain patterns in learning. Males are characterized as more physically active, less skilled verbally, and needing more physical stimuli in learning situations, while girls are more able to focus, despite distractions. The recommendations were to accommodate the males in their frenetic modes. I view this daily in my art classes with middle schoolers. I am also thinking this translates later in life to our own male/female communication problems between sexes.
Anyone else here have an opinion?
Patty

I studied early childhood in college and I agree with what you've said.
Males generally do better in an active environment with stimuli-- no wonder they like sports so much.

I believe the developed countries are doing boys a disservice in most schools by not accommodating them in the ways they learn best-- instead, they encourage drugs to keep them sedated and acting like girls.

I've always felt that it would be to both genders benefit to have "gender seperate" schools up until high school. That way girls could learn through verbal and writing skills and boys could learn through active stimuli that would help to hold their attention. I feel so bad for boys and have seen the struggle first hand with my own two boys.

I think you have a good point about it affecting our communication gaps between adult males and females.

I find this subject very interesting.

I hope with more people understanding the differences, that all children will have an equal chance at learning, male or female. Also with the gradual understanding of the differences in male/female brains, it could lead to better communication between the two.... I hope.... I hope....

What a great and insightful response, Mandy!
Thanks for affirming my own conclusions.
Patty

Hey, maybe if-- while I'm talking to my husband or my sons, I run around the livingroom with a football in my hand-- then maybe they'll hear every word!! LOL!

I've actually, only honestly, observed the drastic difference in early male and female development while observing my twin male grandsons, after having raised one dainty female daughter. I was astounded to view the rough and tumble nature of these boys!
Patty

This is soo interesting.
But can I give another point of view? If I may say, I don't think having females separated from males would make them discover anything more or better than they already know about their sexes; but, I have a 7 years old daughter, and this is what I find most amazing lately.
She can do all her homework with me, is almost like she begs to do it with me, and the same stuff can take hours (literally) for her to get it done when she does it with my husband.
But when she wants to play something, and she is on one of those creative phases right now, when she just make up games; she plans everything and invites her dad to play along, just to be polite she extended the invite to me but is him whom she chooses to have fun with.
I think I'm gonna go and so some research now, lol
thank you!

I was a teacher in a nursery school and elementary school substitute teacher for grades 1-6th and I saw no difference. me and y fellow teachers had some males that were more quiet then others in communication and funtionality as to being sports oriented or not just like we saw and had many felmales that were loud, very verbal communication wise and loved the rough tumble of heavey and active type sports like basketball, hockey, soccor and so on. We accomidated both males and females by having activities that were co-ed (both male and females can join) in fact most schools today are completely co ed for sports and activities females can be on the basketball teams and males can take home ec classes.

seeker1950 i agree i teach emotionally disturbed children and there are only about 5 girls in the school another problem we run into is the girls slip through the cracks because they are not as active or as aggressive as males they are not noticed so teachers leave them be and they wind up falling behind in return low self esteem is developed on the girls part while the boys receive the help they need it stinks

give each individual what each individual needs...... ? why is that so hard?

yea hillbunnyb sounds like a no-brainer doesn't it? ......

I have a niece that is in her 3rd year of teaching 2nd grade, she's upset with how the required curriculum doesn't take into account that some children learn better with more hands-on, moving around activities, not just sitting quiet. I have a sister that also has taught 2nd grade for 16 years and she has said the very same things.

I don't know why but cultures seem to try to get people to fit into, what they deem at that time as, neat little understandable groups. Like all children are this way.... and all women are this way.... etc... etc.... It's frustrating!!

There are generals of course... like most boys enjoy rough and tumble play-- but not all. And like when I was little -- you couldn't catch me within 100 feet of a baby doll-- I would rather be out catching grasshoppers and laying down in the weeds

It would be great if each individual was taught the way each one needs, in order to get the most out of their education in all schools.

***side note*** I'm not knocking teachers--- I respect teachers and value all they do very much, they are often at the mercy of the administration.

I never met a box I fit in....... ears, tail, big feet, something was always popping out......

I know what you mean!!!

I've never fit in any box either-- but that's OK-- don't like confined spaces anyway!! ....

hey i had a guy say to me me when i was talking to my sister he said small minds talk about people and mediocre minds talk about events and brilliant ppl talk about ideas how rude lol

research has shown that males tend to do better in co-ed schools at secondary level, whereas females tend to do better in single sex schools.

apparantly... they thought is was to do with males learning that females were friends and not just something to think about and jack off to.

whereas females learn that they can do math and metalwork and woodwork etc withough being given a hard time etc.

but i don't know...

i've heard rates of eating disorders tend to be higher for girls in single sex schools so who the %#@&#! knows...

i guess different people are different... if you are raised with siblings of opposite sex and get to know their friends etc....

i think that males and females aren't so very different really... socialisation has a lot to answer for...

The test is bullcrap. I took the official male vs female brain test and was on the cusp of having a "female" brain. Why? Not so great spatial awareness and a good ability to read faces. Is there anything bad about that? Nope. Am I gay? Nope. Do I have a desire to have sex with other men? Nope. So, then why am I a male with a "female" brain. Either because I am simply completely psychotic (which I hope is not so) or this test is merely measuring correlates which are not always accurate.