Investigating Differences Between Male and Female Students' Perceptions of School Library Learning Environments

Abstract

Gender as a context within the learning environment is examined through the results of four studies in the past three years where learning environment instruments were used to evaluate the school library. Previous research indicates that male and female students have physiological differences in terms of brainbased learning and cognitive development. Research has also applied an examination of gender differences to reading preferences. The current research extends an examination of gender by asking the question: To what extent do differences between male and female student perceptions of the same school library learning environment occur, and how can these differences be addressed? The results indicate that females generally have higher expectations of their learning environments than do males, and experience less satisfaction with their actual learning environment than males.