ERIC Number: EJ1163801
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0363-4523
EISSN: N/A
Students' Uncertainty Management in the College Classroom
Sollitto, Michael; Brott, Jan; Cole, Catherine; Gil, Elia; Selim, Heather
Communication Education, v67 n1 p73-87 2018
The uncertainty experienced by college students can have serious repercussions for their success and subsequent retention. Drawing parallels between instructional context and organizational context will enrich theory and research about students' experiences of uncertainty in their college courses. Therefore, this study used Uncertainty Management Theory to explore how students manage their uncertainty about college courses with their classmates. Overall, the results suggest that although students experience uncertainty mostly related to their academic needs, their uncertainty management focuses more on their socioemotional needs. In managing their uncertainty, students rely on direct communication with their peers, which suggests the importance of considering uncertainty management as a relational activity as opposed to an independent activity. Given this, instructors can facilitate classroom climates and activities that allow students to establish relationships with one another and work interdependently to achieve their academic goals.
Descriptors: Questioning Techniques, Undergraduate Students, Student Surveys, Information Seeking, Peer Relationship, Interpersonal Communication, Student Attitudes, Classroom Techniques, Student Experience, College Instruction, Academic Achievement, Research
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A