"Boys are a different species"

-Brett Landsberger, 12, a Campbell Hall seventh-grader on single-sex education.

While I disagree on the species aspect, I do like the idea that some classes be single-sex.  I don't think all classes should be, because then it would be much harder to learn how to interact with each other.  I mean, it's hard enough as it is, right?  Cricket, cricket... (it's not just me, right?)  ANYway, while it may be strange to agree with someone half my age, I believe this statement to be true:

"It's easier to pay attention in math when girls are not there," agreed Reese Wexler, 13.

The real part with this comes down to not gender, but learning style.  Some people learn better with different style of learning.  I tend to learn a little bit better if it is verbal and intuitive, but overall I'm balanced (Yes, that's right, I'm normal and all the rest of you are strange!!) according to this test:

---

 

Results for: Mac


      ACT                          X                      REF
           11  9   7   5   3   1   1   3   5   7   9   11
                              <-- -->

      SEN                              X                  INT
           11  9   7   5   3   1   1   3   5   7   9   11
                              <-- -->

      VIS                              X                  VRB
           11  9   7   5   3   1   1   3   5   7   9   11
                              <-- -->

      SEQ                      X                          GLO
           11  9   7   5   3   1   1   3   5   7   9   11
                              <-- -->

          

• If your score on a scale is 1-3, you are fairly well balanced on the two dimensions of that scale.
  
• If your score on a scale is 5-7, you have a moderate preference for one dimension of the scale and will learn more easily in a teaching environment which favors that dimension.
  
• If your score on a scale is 9-11, you have a very strong preference for one dimension of the scale. You may have real difficulty learning in an environment which does not support that preference.

For more details, see this page.

---

If there were a way to match people according to their learning style, I think the education system would be much better.  I'm not saying that everyone would be custom tailored in their education plans, but we should at least attempt for the students to learn the core subjects in their own learning style.  Students should also be taught (not just a one or two hour lecture on) how to realize their learning style and what ways they can improve on their weaknesses and fine tune their strengths.

Maybe I should be an educator when I grow up?