Managing the gender differences in the classroom: real life experiences for undergraduate students

Students' learning outcomes in accounting subjects of auditing and taxation appear to suffer considerably when practical experience is lacking in the curricula. Academics in an Australian School of Business have implemented a program of introducing selected current affairs articles, with defined discussion questions, as an exercise in creating a surrogate for practical experience. This study examines whether students of different gender achieve similar learning outcomes, using Biggs' 3P Model of Teaching and Learning as a research framework. While overall there is positive correlation with creation of real life experiences and learning outcomes, this does not hold true for both genders. Females have more positive learning outcomes in this research study and across the School of Business in this university. This is against a backdrop of lesser representation in both number in senior positions and higher remuneration levels for females in the profession.