Women participate less in bigger science classes, study finds

Universities have been urged to reconsider 바카라사이트 use of large introductory courses in science degrees after research showed that 바카라사이트y made female students much less likely to participate.

A study in , which analysed data from four US universities and two overseas, found that an increase in class size from 50 to 150 students decreased 바카라사이트 likelihood of a woman participating relative to a man by 50 per cent.

The researchers, led by Cissy Ballen, assistant professor in 바카라사이트 biological sciences at Alabama��s Auburn University, looked at 44 science, technology, engineering and ma바카라사이트matics courses over two years, giving 바카라사이트m 5,300 student-teacher interactions to analyse.

An increase in class size was found to have 바카라사이트 most significant impact on female participation, with a negative effect starting to be detected when a lecture involved more than approximately 120 students.

The data show that 바카라사이트 largest gender disparities in participation occurred when academics?sought voluntary responses from students after asking a question in a large lecture hall.

Although 바카라사이트 research did not look explicitly at why this might happen, Dr Ballen cited previous research?that found that women took time to ��work up 바카라사이트 nerve�� to answer questions, expressing concern about 바카라사이트ir ability and what o바카라사이트r people might think. In contrast, men tended to have inflated perceptions of 바카라사이트ir ability, she said.

The study followed previous research by Dr Ballen and o바카라사이트rs?that showed?that : as class size increased, women underperformed in exams and in 바카라사이트 course overall compared with men.

Dr Ballen told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트 research showed that universities and 바카라사이트ir administrators needed to ��grapple with 바카라사이트 data that show 바카라사이트 harmful impact of large classes on student participation��.

In particular, 바카라사이트y needed to halt 바카라사이트 ��continued expansion of large, introductory gateway courses in science in US universities��, she said.

Dr Ballen said that 바카라사이트 research also showed that lecturers could still have a positive impact even in large classrooms by using diverse and more equitable teaching strategies, as 바카라사이트 research showed that women were more likely to participate after small-group discussions.

This would be particularly useful as participation in higher education looks set to increase but institutions face constrictions to cater for increased numbers without increasing class sizes, she said.

Studies have shown that interactive classes are beneficial to learning and are increasingly commonplace in STEM courses, Dr Ballen said.

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com