An Examination of the Relationship Between the Communication Methods Used in Out-of-Class Student-Faculty Interactions and the Content

and Frequency of Those Interactions

Liz Gross

Students who interact with faculty

(Astin, 1993, Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005)

particularly about specific topics

have higher levels of student engagement and are more successful at college.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Research Question #1Is there a relationship between the method of communication used in out-of-class student-faculty interactions and the content of those interactions?

Research Question #2Is there a relationship between the method of communication used in out-of-class student-faculty interactions and the frequency of those interactions?

THEORY & LITERATURE

Integrationist

Student Involvement/Engagement

Relationship Between Involvement Behaviors and Academic Outcomes

(Astin, 1993)

Other Literature Themes• Online communication may impact college

outcomes differently (Henry, 2010, Laird & Kuh, 2008)

• Students use of SNS/online comm increasing (Junco, 2011, Hargittai, 2008, Hargittai & Litt, 2011, Junco, 2011)

• Faculty adoption of SNS increasing, opportunity for increasing student interaction(Faculty Focus 2011, Junco, 2014)

• Relationship between online/offline interaction not yet determined(Jacobson & Forste, 2011, Pollet et al,, 2011)

METHODOLOGY

Methodology• Explanatory correlational design• Online survey• Quantitative• Variables– Communication method– Frequency of communication (monthly)– Topic of communication

Development of Survey Instrument

Development of Survey Instrument

Validity

Development of Survey Instrument

Reliability

Pilot Study• Sample: 2,000• Response Rate: 14.75% (n=281)• Cronbach’s alpha:

• 7-item content measure = 0.773• 11-item communication measure =

0.581

Data Collection

Reliability

Formal Administration• Sample: 2,000• Response Rate: 11.3% (n=221)• Combined with pilot sample

(n=507)• Cronbach’s alpha:

• 7-item content measure = 0.773• 11-item communication measure =

0.592

RESULTS

ResultsIs there a relationship between the method of communication used in out-of-class student-faculty interactions and the content of those interactions?

Yes!

Results

Results

Results

Results

Results

Results

Results

Results

Results

Results

What about email?

ResultsIs there a relationship between the method of communication used in out-of-class student-faculty interactions and the frequency of those interactions?Yes,

weak

ResultsCommunication

Methodrpb

Facebook private 0.273Text message 0.257Facebook public 0.234Voice 0.214LMS 0.165Video 0.146Twitter private 0.144Twitter public 0.133IM 0.121

Point-Biserial Correlation Coefficient and Variance for Communication Method and Frequency of Student-Faculty Interactions

Total Methods

rpb = 0.366

Results

20.8

Interactions per month

Results

Twicethe

average

IMPLICATIONS

Implications for Practice• Faculty should offer multiple methods

of communication with students.• Faculty should not discount

traditional communication methods (face to face and LMS).

• Faculty should not shy away from communicating about non-academic topics.

Implications for Leadership• Leaders should strive to be multi-

modal communicators• Provide or seek training on

innovative communication methods

Implications for Learning• In addition to face to face and LMS,

consider utilizing text messaging and Facebook private messages for learning activities.

• Support faculty learning regarding new communication methods, especially for out-of-class interactions.

Implications for Service• Consider differences before making

assumptions about an entire group (i.e., college students)

• Racial differences of SNS users (Hargittai, 2008)

• African American students (4.1%, n=21) did not report using SNS to communicate with faculty

• Less likely to use text messaging or interact face-to-face.

Implications for Research• Explore alignment of student/faculty

communication preferences• Examine direct relationship between

communication method and content• Gather more data about college student

communication with other people groups• Revisit impact of Twitter on student-

faculty interactions• Determine if optimal frequency for

student-faculty communication exists.

CONCLUSION AND QUESTIONS