Women in school are quieter?

If you are a student, I’m sure you’re either grindstoning your nose or celebrating because you just finished all your homework (I’m part of the latter group, as of 10 m inutes ago.  I want to have a party).  With the end of semester comes our favorites: presentations!! In 2 of my classes this semester I had to give a presentation within the last two weeks– and I noticed something.  Perhaps I’ve never taken a college class where intellectual presentations we’re required, or perhaps I just wasn’t aware enough of gender construction in the classroom…but:

When the teacher asks for volunteers, females almost never volunteer. As in all situations, there are exeptions (I am one. but I used to not be!) Last night in my meteorology class I watched, after I went second, every other female in the room shrink into themselves as much as they could when the professor began asking for volunteers.  At first no one would volunteer, the females would all hunch over and some guy would end up volunteering after our professor stared us down for about 20 seconds.  In the actual presentations, the men were more confident in what they were saying- more likely to stand or walk around, make eye contact and not read directly off a paper.  I noticed the same thing in my history class.

I’ve thought about this a little, and while I have my theories, what do you guys think about this? Have you noticed this on your college campuses? Those of you who go to a single-sex educational institution, (or have in the past), did you notice this? Are there any teachers on here who can offer some insight? I’m probably going to end up being a teacher after college and would like to avoid this…and I think it’s fascinating.