Does it make any difference in education if you’re male or female? Does gender matter, taking into account the fact that approximately 61% of active OUM learners and 36% of active tutors are female? There is no conclusive evidence pointing to a clear answer. Some studies have shown that gender does matter, and that it plays a key role in influencing or determining learners’ academic performance and ability to follow their programme consistently till completion. It has been claimed, also, for instance, that, while male learners might like adversarial tutors, female learners tend to prefer a more supportive environment to share problems and achievements. Another study argues that more female than male learners suffer from the loneliness of ODL. Others, however, argue that these findings do not apply evenly to all contexts, and that, ultimately, what counts is not gender but intellectual ability and achievement motivation. TCX29 considers these gender issues in the general and OUM contexts.

Editor's Note
Letters to the Editor
Tutor Reminder
From the Dean's Office
Features
The Working Woman & ODL
Learners’ Views: Gender & Tutoring
Sense & Sensitivity
Tutors’ Views: Gender & Learning
Tutor Profile
Motivation



Gender equality can be promoted in the classroom by:

making sure that both genders have equal opportunities to contribute in the classroom by giving feedback and so on
 
refraining from cracking gender-insensitive jokes or statements
 
explaining materials by taking into consideration the sensitivities of both genders
 
ensuring that there is no gender bias during the teaching and learning process
 
 
View Result