I became interested in gender differences in the classroom when I was training for RTI. My fellow colleague and I had noticed that mostly boys are in RTI as well as Special Education. So we started to question if it is curriculum or instruction that leads to lack of progress for our male population. I welcome the opportunity to further study this topic.
So after attending a conference on Single Sex Education I decided to inquire further about this issue. At first my question was about gender specific instruction but have changed that. So now I am looking a gender specific motivation. I will be working with the McGill teachers and asking them to reflect on how they motivate their learners to read, to write and to do math. I also want the teachers to reflect on if they differ their motivation per gender.
After an initial survey I will be meeting with the teachers to share what information I am gaining from my research. I am so excited to begin this study.
P.S. - I will be providing lunch to the McGill teachers in return for their effort to help me with this project.
I am so excited that you are so excited!!! You have your action plan well thought out, and I know we already discussed some data collection ideas...you just need to get started! So, probing questions... what type of follow up have you considered after you determine your conclusions from this study? If you survey the teachers you are working with and the opposite of what you expected becomes true, then what? Why do you care so much about this topic? Hope these thoughts help you continue your thinking!
ReplyDeleteHolly
There are a lot of good resources out there for you to research regarding this subject. Take a look, and I'm sure you will find some revelant information to help you sort things out. Cherié
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thanks for the lunch. You didn't have to bribe us. Now that you have the initial survey done and will be meeting with teachers, are you going to give specific strateigies that can be used in the classroom? How will you keep data on this? How about having teachers keep journals? Or are you looking more at scores/grades related to motivation. I am looking forward to learning more about gender motivation.
ReplyDeleteKenna,
ReplyDeleteI am reading the book "Why Gender Matters". Already in the first chapter I discovered something that I want the teachers to document and try. I think that I will do a quick pre-survey for each strategy, such as a quick do you as a teacher do this. I would then have the teacher practice the strategy and then answer the same question. I would also like to do some observations to get my own perspective.
The exciting part of my project is that my daughter is reading one of my many resources. She will be sharing her thoughts about gender differences through a reflection journal. She has commented a few times that it makes sense why her friends act the way they do. She is really taking it to heart and even sharing with her dad.
ReplyDeleteThis is an intersting concept. You may be interested to know that the science department of the Middle School is experimenting with this now. You may want to talk to Pax Haslem and Gina Solari.
ReplyDeleteI find this idea so interesting. I don't have much in the way of advice or questions, but I can't wait to hear how you are progressing.
ReplyDeleteAre you doing any quantitative analysis of how teachers teach to different genders.. how will you put that on a scale and measure it? You probably know but I am confused :)
ReplyDeleteI am with Trisha-what is the measurement piece of your experiment? There has been so much going on around our school about gender differences, I'm curious to learn more of what you've read. And I'm curious, too, along with Holly: Why do you care so much about this topic? The idea of gender-separated classes hits me on a very visceral level, and it's interesting to me that it has such a subconscious tug. What else in teaching do we avoid/draw to because of how it affects us on a less than rational level?
ReplyDelete