Identification of Enablers for Reducing Student Incivility in Classrooms-An Exploratory Investigation

Abstract

Objective: There is a growing concern about student incivility in classrooms among academicians and institutional leaders. This study humbly tried to identify various enablers for reducing student incivility in classrooms through an exploratory investigation.Methods: This study uses empirical qualitative methods of investigation in a higher educational institution based at Delhi, NCR, INDIA. The authors have conducted open-ended, unstructured interviews with 8 faculty members of various departments of the institution.Results: This study able to develop three major themes and twelve sub themes as enablers to reduce student incivility in the classroom.Implications: The thematic map shall help the faculties and policy makers to integrate various mechanisms to control student incivility in classrooms.Theoretical and Managerial Contributions: This research has several contributions which would add to the existing body of knowledge. Firstly, this study explores various enablers which can reduce student incivility behaviours in classrooms. It also develops various propositions along with the thematic map that can be empirically investigated further. Additionally, this study attempts to link course planning, course scheduling, course content, scope for participation, giving breaks in between, norms and rules policy, transparent evaluation, applications of the subject, mutual agreement, counselling, live/group based projects, human touch which can result in student-centric pedagogy development, deep engagement in learning process and social accountability which will be an important extension of existing literature on higher education. The research offers valuable insights to academicians, institutional leaders by providing various enablers which can be used to reduce student incivility behaviours in the classroom level and developing the students as good citizens of the country and nurturing the young brains with the true spirit of innovation and ideas. As a result, teachers would be able to develop and maintain healthy and cordial relationships with the students which can result in reducing uncivil behaviours, burn outs, counterproductive work behaviour, attrition rates at the classroom context.Key Words：student incivility, academicians, institutional leaders, qualitative