INFLUENCE OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ON STUDENT LECTURER ACADEMIC RELATIONSHIPS IN THE UNIVERSITY

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Communication between student lecturers serves as a connection between them; it plays a central role in establishing a quality learning environment. Lecturer communication behavior in a classroom, therefore, is an important dimension of the classroom learning environment that significantly contributes toward the unique classroom environments which is a result of interactions of students with peers, curriculum and lecturers.

Lecturer communication was conceptualized as falling within the realm of lecturer effectiveness and was perceived to be a vital element in the creation of an environment that motivates the students in learning. Lecturers have the ability to impact positively the student’s attitudes and motivation through the creation of a positive classroom environment. Studies of Good and Brophy as cited by She and Fisher (2002), state that on an average, lecturers in university have interactions with 150 students per day, but these interactions by the lecturers indeed were not recognized, and they are not aware of it. This scenario is not far in tertiary level; because of strict compliance to higher education and economic wise, lecturers in tertiary level are obliged to teach 50 to 60 students in general education subjects. With these numbers, lecturers are not aware on the number of interactions they have imparted to the Students and the feedback they have from them. Several studies were conducted that there are really great influences of lecturer-student interactions on classroom discipline, constructivist learning, attitudes and achievements.

In past three decades, much attention has been given to the development and use of instruments to assess the qualities of the Classroom learning environment from the perspective of students. In fact, studies of She and Fisher (2002) showed that student perceptions as indicators of the classroom environments have been elucidated. They have been formulating questionnaire consisting of several dimensions and variables that would directly influence the student’s attitudes and learning outcome toward their subjects. These general evaluations on the student’s perceptions would directly affect their developments, alterations and even their formations.

Attitude and behavior change according to the research area and test subject; generally defined as the way it is received a person’s negative or positive manner (mode) to a certain object or situation or event. These are supported by the earliest significant body of research (Jones & Jones, 2001 as cited by She and Fisher, 2000), which indicates “that academic achievement and student behavior are influenced by the quality of the lecturer and student relationship. The more that lecturer connect or communicate with their students the most likely they are to be able to help students learn quickly and at a high level (Ahmad and Sahak, 2009).

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Interpersonal communications between student-lecturer go a long way in promoting the learning speed of the students; but sometimes, that students-lecturer academic relationship is absent in the university, this might be due to lack of motivation from the aspect of the students and also from the government in terms of funding and prompt payment of salary. Finally, several researches has been carried out on the factors affecting communication on teacher students relationship but not even a single research has been carried out on influence of interpersonal communication on student lecturer academic relationships in the university.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the study is to determine the influence of interpersonal communication on student’s lecturer academic relationships in the university. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1.  to determine the factors affecting interpersonal communication on students lecturer academic relationship in the university.

2.  to determine the extent to which interpersonal communication affects student lecturer academic relationship in the university.

3.  to determine the effect of interpersonal communication on student lecturer academic relationship in the university.

4.  to proffer possible solution to the problems.

1.4      RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1      What are the factors affecting interpersonal communication on students lecturer academic relationship?

2      What is the extent to which interpersonal communication affects student lecturer academic relationship in the university?

3      What is the effect of interpersonal communication on student lecturer academic relationship in the university?

4      What is the possible solution to the problems?

1.5   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0:   Interpersonal communication has no significant effect on student lecturer academic relationship.

H1:   Interpersonal communication has a significant effect on student lecturer academic relationship.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on the influence of personal communication on student lecturer academic relationship will be of immense benefit to the entire university in the sense that it will enable the students to learn effectively due to the interactive environment in the university, it will also enable the government to motivate the lecturers in terms of funding the university and meeting up to their needs; also paying them their salaries in time. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.