GENDER DIFFERENCES ON LEARNING STYLES AND THE USE OF COGNITIVE STRATEGIES OF LEARNING OF STUDENTS

Pharmacology is a discipline in biomedical careers. The objective of the present study was to determine whether there are gender differences in the profile of learning styles and the use of learning strategies among students of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine. The CHAEA questionnaire and a shortened version of the ACRA questionnaire were applied to 146 students with mean age of 22.42 +/- 0.17 years. Women use more learning strategies. Although non significant differences were observed, men showed greater preference for Active and Pragmatic styles, and women for the Theorist style. The reflexive style was similar for both genders. No significant differences were observed in academic performance among both genders. The differences observed should be considered in the diagnosis and planning of courses to encourage effective learning and skills development of students