ERIC Number: EJ1450424
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-0149-4910
Factors Influencing Undergraduate Students toward Choosing a New Course
Wendy J. Dahl; Katrina R. Alford; Daniela Rivero-Mendoza; Melissa L. Moreno; Sruthy R. Emmanuel; Gabrielle L. Gorwitz
NACTA Journal, v68 p35-43 2024
Although course choice may shape students' academic futures, with some new courses, few students may register, resulting in course cancellation, lost student opportunities, and wasted faculty effort. This study aimed to explore the attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control factors influencing students' decisions to enroll in a new course. A Qualtrics® survey, using a 7-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree) and open-ended questions, was distributed by email to undergraduate students (>18 years) enrolled in the fall 2021 semester within a college of agriculture and life sciences. Of respondents (n = 84), most agreed or strongly agreed that interest in the subject matter and favorable attitudes toward the instructor influenced their decision to enroll in a new course. In the context of social norms, respondents were most influenced by advisor recommendations, a course workload that would not excessively interfere with their social activities, and having friends say positive things about the professor. Within perceived behavioral control, the highest levels of agreement were related to the course helping them complete requirements for their major and graduation. In conclusion, faculty may want to consider influential factors impacting students' new course selection when undertaking course development.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Decision Making, Course Selection (Students), Enrollment, Agricultural Education, Behavior Standards, Social Behavior, Graduation Requirements, Majors (Students), Influences
North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture. 1014 6th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701. Tel: 208-957-7001; e-mail: support@nacta.org; Web site: https://nactateachers.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A