Abstract
It is critical that we understand and address features of learning environments that encumber students historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Here we consider social elements of group work that can either support or impede learning. We tracked gender-bias in student-teaching assistant (TA) interactions in 184 small groups across 27 introductory chemistry laboratories in fall 2017. We demonstrate that in some environments male students interacted with TAs disproportionately more than female students. To promote verbal participation of women in introductory chemistry courses, we advocate for improved TA training programs that teach a host of equitable teaching strategies to enhance the climate of the classrooms and consequently, improve learning. Fostering a structured, inclusive classroom environment is the first step towards achieving equity more broadly across STEM.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 197-203 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Chemistry Education Research and Practice |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
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Structured learning environments are required to promote equitable participation. / Neill, Connor; Cotner, Sehoya H; Driessen, Michelle; Ballen, Cissy J.
In: Chemistry Education Research and Practice, Vol. 20, No. 1, 01.01.2019, p. 197-203.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Structured learning environments are required to promote equitable participation
AU - Neill, Connor
AU - Cotner, Sehoya H
AU - Driessen, Michelle
AU - Ballen, Cissy J.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - It is critical that we understand and address features of learning environments that encumber students historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Here we consider social elements of group work that can either support or impede learning. We tracked gender-bias in student-teaching assistant (TA) interactions in 184 small groups across 27 introductory chemistry laboratories in fall 2017. We demonstrate that in some environments male students interacted with TAs disproportionately more than female students. To promote verbal participation of women in introductory chemistry courses, we advocate for improved TA training programs that teach a host of equitable teaching strategies to enhance the climate of the classrooms and consequently, improve learning. Fostering a structured, inclusive classroom environment is the first step towards achieving equity more broadly across STEM.
AB - It is critical that we understand and address features of learning environments that encumber students historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Here we consider social elements of group work that can either support or impede learning. We tracked gender-bias in student-teaching assistant (TA) interactions in 184 small groups across 27 introductory chemistry laboratories in fall 2017. We demonstrate that in some environments male students interacted with TAs disproportionately more than female students. To promote verbal participation of women in introductory chemistry courses, we advocate for improved TA training programs that teach a host of equitable teaching strategies to enhance the climate of the classrooms and consequently, improve learning. Fostering a structured, inclusive classroom environment is the first step towards achieving equity more broadly across STEM.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85066107075&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1039/c8rp00169c
DO - 10.1039/c8rp00169c
M3 - Article
VL - 20
SP - 197
EP - 203
JO - Chemistry Education Research and Practice
JF - Chemistry Education Research and Practice
SN - 1109-4028
IS - 1
ER -