Gender Differences on the Effects of Learning Environments on Academic Performance Among Tertiary Students
Year 2024,
Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 130 - 139, 30.12.2024
Isaac Kow Gaisey
Afua Ntroaduro
Bernice Serwaa Ofosuhene Peasah
Cecilia Anane
Theodora Oduro
Frank Lamadoku Attila
Abstract
This study investigates the gender difference in academic performance in colleges of education in the Central Region of Ghana. It examines whether male and female students perform differently in two key areas: integrated science and assessment courses. Data were collected from 290 tertiary students across three colleges of education, namely Ola, Komenda, and Fosu, using a questionnaire. The results revealed that there were no statistically significant gender differences in the student's academic performance. Both male and female students achieved similar mean scores across the two courses. Despite minor variations, the effectiveness of gender-sensitive educational interventions in promoting equity was observed in assessment courses. Continuing inclusive teaching practices and curricula is recommended to maintain progress towards gender equity in education.
Ethical Statement
The authors of this article declare that this study was conducted following ethical principles of research and that all data collected was used solely for research purposes. Data are available upon reasonable request. The request may be submitted to the corresponding author. The data will not be made publicly available because of privacy and ethical restrictions.
Thanks
We would like to thank the participants who availed themselves of this study and shared their valuable insights by completing the questionnaires. We also express our sincere thanks to the editorial team and the reviewers for the positive feedback.
References
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https://doi.org/10.12691/education-6-1-1
- Bates, A. W. (2015). What is a learning environment. In Teaching in a digital age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning (2nd ed.). BCcampus.
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https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164402062002011
- Buchmann, C., DiPrete, T. A., & McDaniel, A. (2008). Gender inequalities in education. Annual Review of Sociology, 34, 319–337.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.34.040507.134719
- Burkam, D. T., Lee, V. E., & Smerdon, B. A. (1997). Gender and science learning early in high school: Subject matter and laboratory experiences. American Educational Research Journal, 34(2), 297–331. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312034002297
- Cen, L., Ruta, D., Powell, L., & Ng, J. (2014, December). Does gender matter for collaborative learning? In 2014 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering (TALE) (pp. 433–440). IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TALE.2014.7062581
- Costa, M., & Costa, L. (2016). Science and mathematics instructional strategies, teaching performance and academic achievement in selected secondary schools in Upland. International Journal of Educational and Pedagogical Sciences, 3, 38–45.
- Delaney, J., & Devereux, P. J. (2021). Gender and educational achievement: Stylised facts and causal evidence (CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP15753). SSRN.
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3775979.
- Duruji, M., Azuh, D., & Olarenwaju, F. (2014). Learning environment and academic performance of secondary school students in external examinations: A study of selected schools in Ota. In EDULEARN14 Proceedings (pp. 5042–5053). IATED.
- El Haddioui, I., & Khaldi, M. (2017). Study of learner behaviour and learning styles on the adaptive learning management system Manhali: Results and analysis according to gender and academic performance. Journal of Software, 12(4), 212–227.
https://doi.org/10.17706/jsw.12.4.212-226.
- Gielen, A. C., & Zwiers, E. (2018). Biology and the gender gap in educational performance: The role of prenatal testosterone in test scores (No. 11936). IZA Discussion Papers.
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3285836.
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Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610.
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https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.3660290206.
- Naqvi, A., & Naqvi, F. (2017). A study on learning styles, gender and academic performance of postgraduate management students in India. International Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 6(398), 2. https://doi.org/10.4172/2162-6359.1000398.
- Parajuli, M., & Thapa, A. (2017). Gender differences in the academic performance of students. Journal of Development and Social Engineering, 3(1), 39–47.
- Reilly, D., Neumann, D. L., & Andrews, G. (2017). Investigating gender differences in mathematics and science: Results from the 2011 Trends in Mathematics and Science Survey. Research in Science Education, 49(1), 25–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-017-9630-6.
- Ryan, M. (2015). Introduction: Reflective and reflexive approaches in higher education: A warrant for lifelong learning? In Teaching reflective learning in higher education (pp. 1–13). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09271-31.
- Sahranavard, M., & Hassan, S. A. (2013). Comparison of science performance among male and female Iranian eighth-grade students. Applied Science Reports, 1(1), 11–13.
- Shamaki, T. A. (2015). Influence of learning environment on students' academic achievement in mathematics: A case study of some selected secondary schools in Yobe State-Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(34), 40–44.
- Subba, S. B., & Gotamey, H. K. (2022). The effects of the intervention programme on low achiever students' learning achievement in classroom. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 35(1), 58–68. https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2022/v35i130399.
- Suleman, Q., & Hussain, I. (2014). Effects of classroom physical environment on the academic achievement scores of secondary school students in Kohat Division, Pakistan. International Journal of Learning and Development, 4(1), 71–82.
https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v4i1.5174.
- Takeda, S., & Homberg, F. (2014). The effects of gender on group work process and achievement: An analysis through self‐ and peer‐assessment. British Educational Research Journal, 40(2), 373–396. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3088.
- Thabiti, T. H., Mwandilawa, B., & Basela, J. (2024). Examining the influence of gender-responsive pedagogies on students' academic performance in secondary schools in Tanzania: The case of Mafia District. Journal of Management and Policy Issues in Education, 1(1), 71–85. https://doi.org/10.58548/2024.jmpie11.7185.
- Turano, A. A. (2005). The impact of classroom environment on student learning (Master's thesis, Rowan University). Rowan Digital Works. https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1089
- Wu, H. (2023). A study on gender stereotypes and their activation effects in academic performance. Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology, 72, 460–467. https://doi.org/10.54097/7wvhys41.
Gender Differences on the Effects of Learning Environments on Academic Performance Among Tertiary Students
Year 2024,
Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 130 - 139, 30.12.2024
Isaac Kow Gaisey
Afua Ntroaduro
Bernice Serwaa Ofosuhene Peasah
Cecilia Anane
Theodora Oduro
Frank Lamadoku Attila
Abstract
This study investigates the gender difference in academic performance in Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana. It examines whether male and female students perform differently in two key areas: integrated science and assessment courses. Data were collected from 290 tertiary students across three colleges of Education namely; Ola, Komenda, and Fosu, using a questionnaire. The results revealed that there were no statistically significant gender differences in the student's academic performance. Both male and female students achieved similar mean scores across the two courses. Despite minor variations, the effectiveness of gender-sensitive educational interventions in promoting equity was observed in assessment courses. Continuing inclusive teaching practices and curricula is recommended to maintain progress toward gender equity in education.
References
- Ajayi, S. I. (2001). Features-globalisation and Africa-what Africa needs to do to benefit from globalization. Finance and Development-English Edition, 38(4), 6–9.
- Amponsah, M. O., Milledzi, E. Y., Ampofo, E. T., & Gyambrah, M. (2018). Relationship between parental involvement and academic performance of senior high school students: The case of Ashanti Mampong Municipality of Ghana. American Journal of Educational Research, 6(1), 1–8.
https://doi.org/10.12691/education-6-1-1
- Bates, A. W. (2015). What is a learning environment. In Teaching in a digital age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning (2nd ed.). BCcampus.
- Brew, C. R. (2002). Kolb's learning style instrument: Sensitive to gender. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 62(2), 373–390.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164402062002011
- Buchmann, C., DiPrete, T. A., & McDaniel, A. (2008). Gender inequalities in education. Annual Review of Sociology, 34, 319–337.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.34.040507.134719
- Burkam, D. T., Lee, V. E., & Smerdon, B. A. (1997). Gender and science learning early in high school: Subject matter and laboratory experiences. American Educational Research Journal, 34(2), 297–331. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312034002297
- Cen, L., Ruta, D., Powell, L., & Ng, J. (2014, December). Does gender matter for collaborative learning? In 2014 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering (TALE) (pp. 433–440). IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TALE.2014.7062581
- Costa, M., & Costa, L. (2016). Science and mathematics instructional strategies, teaching performance and academic achievement in selected secondary schools in Upland. International Journal of Educational and Pedagogical Sciences, 3, 38–45.
- Delaney, J., & Devereux, P. J. (2021). Gender and educational achievement: Stylised facts and causal evidence (CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP15753). SSRN.
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3775979.
- Duruji, M., Azuh, D., & Olarenwaju, F. (2014). Learning environment and academic performance of secondary school students in external examinations: A study of selected schools in Ota. In EDULEARN14 Proceedings (pp. 5042–5053). IATED.
- El Haddioui, I., & Khaldi, M. (2017). Study of learner behaviour and learning styles on the adaptive learning management system Manhali: Results and analysis according to gender and academic performance. Journal of Software, 12(4), 212–227.
https://doi.org/10.17706/jsw.12.4.212-226.
- Gielen, A. C., & Zwiers, E. (2018). Biology and the gender gap in educational performance: The role of prenatal testosterone in test scores (No. 11936). IZA Discussion Papers.
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3285836.
- Jones, C., Reichard, C., & Mokhtari, K. (2003). Are students' learning styles discipline specific? Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 27(5), 363–375.
https://doi.org/10.1080/713838162.
- Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice-Hall.
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610.
https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308.
- Martinez, M. E. (1992). Interest enhancements to science experiments: Interactions with student gender. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 29(2), 167–177.
https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.3660290206.
- Naqvi, A., & Naqvi, F. (2017). A study on learning styles, gender and academic performance of postgraduate management students in India. International Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 6(398), 2. https://doi.org/10.4172/2162-6359.1000398.
- Parajuli, M., & Thapa, A. (2017). Gender differences in the academic performance of students. Journal of Development and Social Engineering, 3(1), 39–47.
- Reilly, D., Neumann, D. L., & Andrews, G. (2017). Investigating gender differences in mathematics and science: Results from the 2011 Trends in Mathematics and Science Survey. Research in Science Education, 49(1), 25–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-017-9630-6.
- Ryan, M. (2015). Introduction: Reflective and reflexive approaches in higher education: A warrant for lifelong learning? In Teaching reflective learning in higher education (pp. 1–13). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09271-31.
- Sahranavard, M., & Hassan, S. A. (2013). Comparison of science performance among male and female Iranian eighth-grade students. Applied Science Reports, 1(1), 11–13.
- Shamaki, T. A. (2015). Influence of learning environment on students' academic achievement in mathematics: A case study of some selected secondary schools in Yobe State-Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(34), 40–44.
- Subba, S. B., & Gotamey, H. K. (2022). The effects of the intervention programme on low achiever students' learning achievement in classroom. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 35(1), 58–68. https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2022/v35i130399.
- Suleman, Q., & Hussain, I. (2014). Effects of classroom physical environment on the academic achievement scores of secondary school students in Kohat Division, Pakistan. International Journal of Learning and Development, 4(1), 71–82.
https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v4i1.5174.
- Takeda, S., & Homberg, F. (2014). The effects of gender on group work process and achievement: An analysis through self‐ and peer‐assessment. British Educational Research Journal, 40(2), 373–396. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3088.
- Thabiti, T. H., Mwandilawa, B., & Basela, J. (2024). Examining the influence of gender-responsive pedagogies on students' academic performance in secondary schools in Tanzania: The case of Mafia District. Journal of Management and Policy Issues in Education, 1(1), 71–85. https://doi.org/10.58548/2024.jmpie11.7185.
- Turano, A. A. (2005). The impact of classroom environment on student learning (Master's thesis, Rowan University). Rowan Digital Works. https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1089
- Wu, H. (2023). A study on gender stereotypes and their activation effects in academic performance. Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology, 72, 460–467. https://doi.org/10.54097/7wvhys41.