ERIC Number: ED647705
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 164
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-8454-3412-8
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Undergraduate Academic Advising Experiences with Confirmation and Supportive and Connected Communication Climate
Sara Pitts
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, West Virginia University
This dissertation examined undergraduate student perceptions of academic advisors use of communication confirmation and supportive and connected communication climate. Additionally, this dissertation investigated if academic advisors use of confirmation behaviors had an effect on student learning, specifically, cognitive learning outcomes, affective learning outcomes, and satisfaction. Focus groups were conducted with 33 current undergraduate students. First and second cycle coding of the data revealed four academic advisor confirming behaviors: (a) recognize students' experiences outside the classroom, (b) collaborate on educational/career goals, (c) recall prior interactions with the student, and (d) offer praise and positive feedback. Additionally, students identified three disconfirming behaviors which were engaged in by academic advisors: (a) fail to give students their full attention, (b) answer questions indirectly, and (c) refuse to personalize student experiences. Over half of participants responded to focus group questions that "yes" their academic advisor's confirmation behaviors had positively affected their cognitive learning outcomes, affective learning outcomes, and satisfaction. Four supportive and connected climate behaviors as identified by participants were: (a) inquires about student progress, (b) creates welcoming physical space, (c) solicits feedback about the advising session, and (d) exhibits knowledge of student resources. These results add to the current understanding of teacher confirmation, advisor-advisee relationships, and instructional communication. Three limitations should be considered: a lack of non-behavior based outcomes, the lack of connection between confirmation and supportive and connected climate, and failure to address the institutional context. Despite these limitations, results found in this dissertation offer future possibilities for instructional communication researchers and the practice of academic advising. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Academic Advising, Student Experience, Faculty Advisers, Behavior, Individual Characteristics, Interpersonal Communication, Communication (Thought Transfer), Interpersonal Relationship, Outcomes of Education
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A