Disruptive players: How Classroom Incivility impacts Educator Engagement and Performance

Abstract

Research studies within higher education have often focused on student learning, and on the role of the educator in creating effective learning. In today’s increasingly student-focused interactive classroom, there is a heightened need to consider the role of the students, and their awareness of their influence on the learning environment and their effect on a lecturer’s drive and enthusiasm. Classroom incivility, which covers a wide range of negative student behaviour, is emerging as an increasingly problematic aspect within higher education. Even minor disturbances can accumulate to have significant impact on the lecturer’s confidence, motivation and enthusiasm. In course design we need to consider the classroom perhaps less like students with a teacher, and more like a sports team with a coach. The idea is ultimately to work together to achieve the desired learning goals, and the ability of a team to perform lies in the hands of both players and coach.