TY - JOUR
T1 - Student perceptions of digital distraction prevention and student–instructor rapport
AU - Flanigan, Abraham E.
AU - Hosek, Angela M.
AU - Frisby, Brandi
AU - Babchuk, Wayne A.
AU - Ray, Emily
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 National Communication Association.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - The present study investigated how course policies and enforcement strategies designed to curb classroom digital distraction affect undergraduates' perceptions of student-instructor rapport. Data gathered from online surveys completed by undergraduates at four United States universities revealed that student perceptions of rapport can be influenced by digital distraction prevention. Participants endorsed course technology policies that are developed in collaboration between students and instructors and that are targeted at curbing the use of digital devices for social, rather than educational, purposes. Findings indicate that such policies can improve student buy-in and improve student perceptions of rapport. Although participants identified confrontational enforcement strategies (e.g., calling students out, grade reductions, phone confiscation) as most effective for reducing the amount of digital distraction during class when policies are violated, these strategies were also identified as being most harmful to their perceptions of rapport with instructors. Despite regularly using devices for off-task purposes during class, most participants are not worried about getting caught because they do not believe their instructors are particularly concerned about the amount of ongoing digital distraction in the classroom. Recommendations for addressing student digital distraction while protecting the quality of student-instructor rapport are provided through the lens of self-determination theory.
AB - The present study investigated how course policies and enforcement strategies designed to curb classroom digital distraction affect undergraduates' perceptions of student-instructor rapport. Data gathered from online surveys completed by undergraduates at four United States universities revealed that student perceptions of rapport can be influenced by digital distraction prevention. Participants endorsed course technology policies that are developed in collaboration between students and instructors and that are targeted at curbing the use of digital devices for social, rather than educational, purposes. Findings indicate that such policies can improve student buy-in and improve student perceptions of rapport. Although participants identified confrontational enforcement strategies (e.g., calling students out, grade reductions, phone confiscation) as most effective for reducing the amount of digital distraction during class when policies are violated, these strategies were also identified as being most harmful to their perceptions of rapport with instructors. Despite regularly using devices for off-task purposes during class, most participants are not worried about getting caught because they do not believe their instructors are particularly concerned about the amount of ongoing digital distraction in the classroom. Recommendations for addressing student digital distraction while protecting the quality of student-instructor rapport are provided through the lens of self-determination theory.
KW - digital distraction
KW - higher education
KW - mobile technology
KW - rapport
KW - self-determination theory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85144035231&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/03634523.2022.2149828
DO - 10.1080/03634523.2022.2149828
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85144035231
SN - 0363-4523
VL - 72
SP - 217
EP - 236
JO - Communication Education
JF - Communication Education
IS - 3
ER -