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Особенности внеаудиторного общения преподавателей и студентов
Introduction. The paradigm of the modern higher education focuses on individual learning experiences and satisfaction of students. The communication between teachers and students has a direct influence on these factors. It cannot be simply reduced to formal in-class interactions as such contacts inevitably include interpersonal components and expand beyond classroom settings. The present study considers out-of-class communication as any time faculty and student spend during non-classroom time. The purpose of the research is multifold: to identify the specific features of this process and to find out the students' and teachers' characteristics that influence their interest and actual involvement in out-of-class communication. Research Methods: the research is based on a psycho-sociological approach and looks at the development of values, behaviors and attitudes to the outside world in the interpersonal context. To identify the presence and levels of interest in and experience of out-of-class communication and the influence of the participants’ characteristics on these, the authors conducted a survey among students and faculty. Results. Students reported a noticeable interest which seemed to be related to their grades and the year of study: 1st year students and high-achieving students were more enthusiastic. However, the real experience of out-of-class communication with faculty was considerably lower than the expressed interest. Faculty were also rather interested in this type of interaction, especially females, young teachers and teachers over 40. The actual experience was lower than the reported interest. Conclusions. The identified gap between the level of interest and real experience may call for active involvement of educational managers and participants of the learning process in order to promote out-of–class communication. The awareness of the fact that certain characteristics of students and faculty may have an impact on their perceptions and behaviors could assist in developing and implementing efficient measures to harmonize and improve the quality of out-of-class interaction.