Communication Traits and Student Learning: A Comparative Study of Traditional Undergraduate Students and Adult Learners

A study compared adult learners and traditional undergraduate students in terms of three communication traits that may affect the quality and quantity of communication in the classroom. The study investigated whether adult learners differed significantly from traditional undergraduate students in te...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Comadena, Mark E
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.05.1989
Subjects
Adult Students
Communication Apprehension
Communication Behavior
Communication Competencies
Communication Research
Communication Skills
Communication Styles
Comparative Analysis
Higher Education
Learning Processes
Undergraduate Students
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Summary:A study compared adult learners and traditional undergraduate students in terms of three communication traits that may affect the quality and quantity of communication in the classroom. The study investigated whether adult learners differed significantly from traditional undergraduate students in terms of communication apprehension, willingness to communicate, and communication competence; and examined the relationship between these communication traits and student learning. Subjects were 165 traditional undergraduate students and 108 adult learners at a large midwestern university. Results indicated that the two groups were not significantly different on the three communication traits examined. Communication apprehension and interaction involvement were found to be significantly related to achievement (cumulative GPA) in traditional undergraduate students sampled, but not in the adult learners. (Five tables of data are included, and 17 references are attached.) (Author/SR)