Boys tend to dominate classroom interaction both physically and verbally.
In contrast to the stereotpe boys tend to talk more than girls. Teachers need to actively intervene in order to ensure that girls’ voices are heard and that all pupils get access to classroom resources from teacher time to computer equipment.
Useful Links
Anne Fine’s book Bill’s New Frock can be used to encourage student discussion about gender and classroom interaction
Further Reading
Francis, B. (2000) Boys and girls and achievement: Addressing the classroom issues. London, RoutledgeFalmer.
Spender, D. and Sarah, E. (Eds.) (1980) Learning to lose: Sexism and education. London, The Women’s Press.
Younger, M., Warrington, M. & Williams, J. (1999) The gender gap and classroom interactions: Reality and rhetoric? British Journal of Sociology of Education, 20, 3, 325-341.