Boys and Girls Learn Differently: Gender and Learning Styles in the Classroom
EDUC 600
3 CREDITS
$350
Instructor: Michelle Kalina
Grading: Graded
Spring, Summer & Fall (Ongoing)
Instruction Mode: Correspondence
Academic Level: K-12 Professional Development
Partner Course Fee: $350
Partner Class Offered Through Northstar Continuing Education
Course Description:
Educators quickly realize that there are distinct differences in how efficiently boys and girls process and integrate information in the classroom. Supported by the most current brain-based research, educators will learn specific strategies to promote academic excellence in math, science, reading, writing, and behavior management from the preschool setting through high school. Furthermore, in an educational climate where standardized test scores are an important marker of student success, teachers will learn how to teach test-taking skills that are tailored to each student.
Objectives:
As a result of this participation in this course, students should:
1) Explore current brain-based research theories and describe the differences between the male and female brain.
2) Discover a variety of learning styles and how they can determine success or failure in the classroom.
3) Create the optimal preschool, elementary, middle school and high school learning environment and apply innovative teaching strategies to promote learning among girls and boys.
4) Learn how bonding, community building, nutrition, discipline methods and aggression play a role in the school environment.
5) Learn how structural innovations, character education, cooperative and competitive learning can impact the learning potential of girls and boys in the school environment.
Texts/Readings:
The required text and selected articles are:
Bonomo, V. (2010). Gender matters in elementary education: Research-based strategies to meet the distinctive learning needs of boys and girls. Educational Horizons, 88, (4), 257- 264.
This article may be found at: http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ895692.pdf
Gurian, M. (2011). Boys and Girls Learn Differently: A Guide for Teachers and Parents, 10th Anniversary Edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Sun, Y., Zhange, J. & Scardamalia, M. (2010). Developing deep understanding and literacy while addressing a gender-based literacy gap. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 36 (1), 1-20.
This article may be found at: http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ910453.pdf
Textbook(s) not included in the cost of the course.