The author highlights the reasons behind the need for teachers to have different classroom strategies. She pointed out several difference characteristics between males and females. She uses personal experiences to make things seems realistic and not overly exaggerated. She uses examples which are good as it gives readers a clearer picture.
Thought the article was published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, it is written in a very light tone which makes the targeted readers feel comfortable enough to think about their own teaching style without feeling offended. This makes reading the article enjoyable.
The title of the article gives one the idea that the article will focus on the difference between man and woman on the way they communicate. However, I find that the focus seems to be asking teachers to employ a small group discussion strategy. She did not provide other examples of strategies. Her classroom “experiment’ did not point out the differences between men and women. There are too much variables in her “experiment”. Hence it just highlights that people are generally different and everyone enjoys working in small groups.
I personally agree that different types of strategies should be employed but the main reason should not be because of gender. It should be that teachers should recognize the fact that each individual is unique and hence every class will be as well. Therefore there is a need to understand the class and identify the most effective way to conduct the lessons.
After reading the article, it makes me think about the lessons I have been through, which are the ones I really enjoyed and the reasons behind it. Most of the tutors these days employ small group discussions or tries to get the whole class to be involved in the lessons, however, due to time constrains and class size issues, it is really a challenge for teachers to decide on their classroom strategies.
