A Study on Low Student-Lecturer Interaction during Lectures in Sri Lankan State Universities

Abstract

This research explores reasons for low student- lecturer interaction during the lecture in one of the leading business administration departments in a state university. The study was conducted through a qualitative approach, and the data were generated using seven semi-structured interviews. Three female students and four male students were selected under purposive sampling for the semi-structured interviews. The generated data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that mainly the lecturers’ behaviour in the class room, influence of peers and their teaching, individual differences among the students, English language barriers and the classroom layout are the reasons for the low student- lecturer interaction during the lecture. Lecturers’ behaviour in the classroom and lecturers’ teaching style affect student lecturer interaction during the lecture. Also, the way students are motivated by their peers and their mindset of thinking their peers teach better than the lecturer also affect the low student lecturer interaction. There are individual differences among the students and it was found that it is one reason for low student-lecturer interaction. Most of the degree courses in the Sri Lankan university system are conducted in the English medium. Students feel uncomfortable with the language, which is another reason for low interaction between students and lecturers during the lecture. Besides these reasons, different layouts and the number of students in the classroom also affect low student-lecturer interaction during the lecture. The research findings will support students and lecturers to change their behaviour and attitude to increase the interaction during the lectures.

Keywords: Low Interaction, Students, Lecturers, State University