Impactful Interactions: How Students Feel Valued in the Classroom
Mentor 1
Sarah Riforgiate
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
This research project focuses on interactions between students and instructors. These interactions are important to study because students spend a large amount of time with different instructors throughout their time in college and influence students’ overall experience at a university and oftentimes affect their learning and persistence. Specifically, this study addresses the research question: What interactions do students find most meaningful with instructors? Qualitative data was collected through interpersonal interviews with fifteen students representing a diverse student background (i.e., range of majors, demographics, etc.). Student participants shared personal experiences related to their experiences in college classrooms and interactions with teachers. Data will be evaluated using a qualitative thematic analysis. So far, the analysis indicates that students seek genuine relationships with their instructors and appreciate instructors’ attempts at making them feel seen in the classroom. Further analysis will focus on the particular communication interactions that contribute to positive interactions. The research study findings have practical implications that can lead to more inclusive teaching practices and provide better experiences for students on campus.
Impactful Interactions: How Students Feel Valued in the Classroom
This research project focuses on interactions between students and instructors. These interactions are important to study because students spend a large amount of time with different instructors throughout their time in college and influence students’ overall experience at a university and oftentimes affect their learning and persistence. Specifically, this study addresses the research question: What interactions do students find most meaningful with instructors? Qualitative data was collected through interpersonal interviews with fifteen students representing a diverse student background (i.e., range of majors, demographics, etc.). Student participants shared personal experiences related to their experiences in college classrooms and interactions with teachers. Data will be evaluated using a qualitative thematic analysis. So far, the analysis indicates that students seek genuine relationships with their instructors and appreciate instructors’ attempts at making them feel seen in the classroom. Further analysis will focus on the particular communication interactions that contribute to positive interactions. The research study findings have practical implications that can lead to more inclusive teaching practices and provide better experiences for students on campus.
