Which group, boys or girls, do you believe is shortchanged the most in schools today? Why do you think so? What obstacles do teachers face when trying to address the differences between boys' and girls' brains?
I believe boys are more shortchanged in schools today. I think that it is generally thought that boys don't pay attention as much in class, or boys act out more, and teachers often assume that that will happen in their classrooms. Often, it is seen that girls are the ones paying attention and get work done quicker. However, I think it is different with every teacher. I've had many teachers who favor girls, and I've had many that favor boys. Girls are also shortchanged because it is believed that girls aren't naturally as smart as boys, and they are put down for it. I think teachers face problems that all kids are different, and that doesn't always have to do with gender. It said in the article that girls are generally better at multitasking and have a longer attention span than boys, but this may not be the case for every student. A boy may have a longer attention span than a girl, and these assumptions can't be made in a classroom. Teachers have to observe the differences between the kids and the genders in their classroom before they try to address anything.
I completely agree, teachers need to get to know their students individually and also the differences between the genders. By understanding how each group works and how each individual handles various situations, the teacher will be better prepared to teach their class.
I believe that both genders are equally shortchanged in schools but for different reasons. Boys are not given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being hard workers or generally well behaved. I feel that the saying "boys will be boys" is something that applies well here in this case scenario. Teachers will sometimes allow boys to get away with not paying attention, not participating frequently and goofing off because of the fact that they are boys. Girls are shortchanged as well because it is automatically assumed that they are of a certain intelligence level. Girls who do not meet that standard are viewed differently. I know this is slightly askew from the questions focus point but, I also feel that there is too much focus on the girls dress code rather than boys as well. Often times, the school is more concerned with what the girls are wearing and how it can be deemed "too distracting" rather than what the students are learning and how well they are performing academically. The focus is not placed on the progress that she makes but rather what shirt and bottoms she is wearing or how much skin is showing. Granted I am not saying that dress codes are a bad thing, I just feel that the education system focuses too intensely on the female dress code, which can lead to girls missing class.
It is easy to say that both genders have assumptions made about them when it comes to academic success and what teachers and other faculty members focus on when they see a student of a particular gender.
Teachers face obstacles of favoritism when dealing each gender. Generally, the teacher favors the same gender as themselves but it can go to opposite direction. As teachers, we need to be aware of our tendencies to place judgement/ make assumptions about students based on their gender. It is important to challenge the boys and maybe not put so much pressure on the girls. Both genders should be equally challenged and giving the same opportunities.
I agree with both Josie and Amanda on this subject. Both genders are shortchanged in schools. Mostly because of stereotyping. Stereotyping in schools is a large problem. Girls are seen to be a certain way and so are boys. So much so that it seems like they are being taught to be this way. Girls are seen to do better academically and socially while boys fall on the shorter end of the spectrum. Even if you google "boys and girls in school" you get a ton of links comparing who's doing better. They are taught to be more in competition with each other than to work together as friends and classmates. And when they fall out of these lines, they are ostracized. The trouble that teachers have with the differences between boys and girls brains is the fact that it has been happening all through their schooling career. Teachers need to focus more on student's individualities instead of their gender.
In my opinion, boys are more shortchanged than girls within the school system. Boys tend to get in more trouble, but are let of quite easy. Boys are more aggressive than girls, therefore teachers always use the saying, boys will be boys- instead of properly correcting boys for their mistakes. As my fellow classmates stated, boys are stereotyped within schools. Boys are taught to be masculine, and to focus mainly on sports instead academics. As Josie mentioned, teachers unintentional show favoritism towards boys, which create an unbalance in the classroom.
I believe boys are more shortchanged in schools today. I think that it is generally thought that boys don't pay attention as much in class, or boys act out more, and teachers often assume that that will happen in their classrooms. Often, it is seen that girls are the ones paying attention and get work done quicker. However, I think it is different with every teacher. I've had many teachers who favor girls, and I've had many that favor boys. Girls are also shortchanged because it is believed that girls aren't naturally as smart as boys, and they are put down for it. I think teachers face problems that all kids are different, and that doesn't always have to do with gender. It said in the article that girls are generally better at multitasking and have a longer attention span than boys, but this may not be the case for every student. A boy may have a longer attention span than a girl, and these assumptions can't be made in a classroom. Teachers have to observe the differences between the kids and the genders in their classroom before they try to address anything.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, teachers need to get to know their students individually and also the differences between the genders. By understanding how each group works and how each individual handles various situations, the teacher will be better prepared to teach their class.
DeleteI believe that both genders are equally shortchanged in schools but for different reasons. Boys are not given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being hard workers or generally well behaved. I feel that the saying "boys will be boys" is something that applies well here in this case scenario. Teachers will sometimes allow boys to get away with not paying attention, not participating frequently and goofing off because of the fact that they are boys. Girls are shortchanged as well because it is automatically assumed that they are of a certain intelligence level. Girls who do not meet that standard are viewed differently. I know this is slightly askew from the questions focus point but, I also feel that there is too much focus on the girls dress code rather than boys as well. Often times, the school is more concerned with what the girls are wearing and how it can be deemed "too distracting" rather than what the students are learning and how well they are performing academically. The focus is not placed on the progress that she makes but rather what shirt and bottoms she is wearing or how much skin is showing. Granted I am not saying that dress codes are a bad thing, I just feel that the education system focuses too intensely on the female dress code, which can lead to girls missing class.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to say that both genders have assumptions made about them when it comes to academic success and what teachers and other faculty members focus on when they see a student of a particular gender.
Teachers face obstacles of favoritism when dealing each gender. Generally, the teacher favors the same gender as themselves but it can go to opposite direction. As teachers, we need to be aware of our tendencies to place judgement/ make assumptions about students based on their gender. It is important to challenge the boys and maybe not put so much pressure on the girls. Both genders should be equally challenged and giving the same opportunities.
DeleteI agree with both Josie and Amanda on this subject. Both genders are shortchanged in schools. Mostly because of stereotyping. Stereotyping in schools is a large problem. Girls are seen to be a certain way and so are boys. So much so that it seems like they are being taught to be this way. Girls are seen to do better academically and socially while boys fall on the shorter end of the spectrum. Even if you google "boys and girls in school" you get a ton of links comparing who's doing better. They are taught to be more in competition with each other than to work together as friends and classmates. And when they fall out of these lines, they are ostracized. The trouble that teachers have with the differences between boys and girls brains is the fact that it has been happening all through their schooling career. Teachers need to focus more on student's individualities instead of their gender.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, boys are more shortchanged than girls within the school system. Boys tend to get in more trouble, but are let of quite easy. Boys are more aggressive than girls, therefore teachers always use the saying, boys will be boys- instead of properly correcting boys for their mistakes. As my fellow classmates stated, boys are stereotyped within schools. Boys are taught to be masculine, and to focus mainly on sports instead academics. As Josie mentioned, teachers unintentional show favoritism towards boys, which create an unbalance in the classroom.
ReplyDelete