Gender differences are based upon groups and averages.  They are not meant to define an individual.  Educators should use gender differences in the same way that they use information regarding multiple intelligences, learning styles, prior experiences, human development, etc.  Information allows a teacher to better understand and interpret her or his students.

I do not conduct research myself.  I read texts, reviews, and articles about gender, gender differences, boys, girls, and education and try to make it accessible to educators and meaningful within classroom instruction.  As such, I have grouped recent research into six broad differences:  Seeing, Hearing, Engaging, Processing, Responding, and Choosing.

There are some important points that must be made before moving forward.

• These differences are not absolute.  All boys are not one way and all girls are not one way.

• This information should inform educators and they try to better educate students in coed and single-gender classrooms.  Gender is an important within single-gender classes and coed classes (and with your own children and significant others.)

• Boys and girls can be successful with the same activities, learning the same skills, and understanding the same content.  The process of learning may be different, but not necessarily.

• Differences are not deficits.

• The differences are not immutable or unchangeable in individuals.  Experience changes the way our brain is “wired”.