In general, men tend to be more confident about their ability to use computer technology and to learn the curriculum. Males also perceive themselves as better equipped to deal with an overload of textual information. However, UNITEC research also suggests that this confidence may have a negative impact. Men are less likely to read their instruction materials closely and more likely to accidentally leave parts of an assignment unfinished.
Female students appear to yearn for more interpersonal communication. They also seem to prefer voicing their opinions in smaller online group discussions rather than in publicly seen online postings or whole class interactions. The male style of communication is more assertive and uses authoritative language. Some researchers, like Professor Susan Herring from the University of Texas, suggest that this communication style is simply carried over from traditional male roles in society.
In a 2007 Italian study by University Saplenza on gender differences in online learning, women were found to be more relationship-oriented and collaborative, while men were more task-oriented and conscious of time spent per task.
Male students seem to be more emotionally comfortable with doing independent study work for an online course; young “loner” males are common. According to Professor Herring, this is likely a reflection of traditional male upbringing, which conditions males to work more independently and be less social than females.
Men are less likely to complete online courses than women. Canadian researchers from Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie Universities suggest that women perform better than men in online learning environments because certain aspects of the environment are beneficial to women.
One of the major aspects cited as beneficial to females is the greater anonymity that online distance learning courses sometimes provide. With the lack of face-to-face interaction, women who are shy or restrained in their usual cultural milieu may be able to express themselves without fear of retaliation from either men or other women.
Note that learning behavior among females may also differ according to their cultural background. In a 2007 Italian study by University Saplenza on gender differences in online learning, the female students were found to exchange more email than the male students. There were also more openly expressed conflicts within an all-female group compared to an all-male group.
In contrast, a 2002 South Korean study by Sejong University reports that female students felt apprehensive about expressing their opinions or giving feedback in written form, even within small groups, compared to the male students.