1. Instructor Behaviours that enhance student- instructor rapport in undergraduate e- learning PRIMARY RESEARCH IN PROGRESS BY ANNE-MARIE ROLFE

2. The nature of the study The nature of the primary research currently in progress is to survey undergraduate students in a large Canadian Virtual University. Using a combination of both qualitative and quantitative questions, the intent is to identify, from the students’ perspective, instructor behaviours that enhance or diminish student-instructor behaviours in an e-learning environment. This will contribute to the research on rapport by providing insight into how instructor behaviours translate into the experience of rapport for students. Quantitative questions will anchor the instructor behaviours, qualitative questions will allow for the exploration of the student experience.

3. Statement of the problem Instructing in an e-learning context is a dynamic process that usually involves the building of the student-instructor relationship without the constraints or advantages of time or location, through hard-copy print materials (study guides, textbooks and articles) as well as telephone and computer mediated communication (CMC). The nature of the problem is that, at present, there has been very limited research into the experience of rapport, from either the students’ or instructors’ perspectives in e-learning. (Lammers & Gillaspy Jr. 2013) E-learning presents the new reality of rapport being developed mainly with the use of technology.

4. Outcomes of rapport from previous research 1.Task successEducation* 1.Higher motivationEducation 1.Increased comfort 1.Customization 1.Loyalty 1.Increased qualityEducation 1.SatisfactionEducation 1.Higher EvaluationsEducation 1.Word-of-mouth 1.Better relationship 1.Enhanced communication 1.Trust *examples provided were from an Educational context Granitz, Koernig, Harich (2009), pp. 54-55

5. Definition of rapport The definition of rapport being used for this research is the one provided by Dr. Bill Lammers: “Positive rapport, from the perspective of the student, exists when the student believes that his/her instructor is understanding, encouraging, caring, fair, communicative, respectful and approachable” (personal communication, February 20, 2014)

6. This definition is important: antecedents Murhpy and Rodrigquez-Manzanares, 2012, p. 169

7. Into seven variables / dimensions Lammers, personal communication, February 20, 2014

8. The research Builds on the work of Dr. Bill Lammers, Professor of Psychology, The University of Central ArkansasDr. Bill Lammers SIRS-9 Rapport Scale (Quantitative) and Dr. Elizabeth Murphy, Professor, Faculty of Education, Memorial UniversityDr. Elizabeth Murphy Open ended questions (Qualitative)

9. The research is currently in progress After securing REB approval, reached out to directors of undergraduate programs. Thanks to their support the request to participate in the survey has been posted to undergraduate students in three different departments. Using Fluid Survey as the collection tool. All data mining options have been turn off. Confidential is key. Students must read and provide informed consent before taking the survey. The survey asks both quantitative and qualitative questions. Survey launched on October 8 th, 2014 and closes on October 29 th, 2014. As of October 21 st at 11:00 am (Atlantic) 85 completed responses received.

10. The Survey Your instructors understand you 1 2 3 4 5 What have your instructors done to demonstrate this understanding to you? Your instructors encourage you 1 2 3 4 5 What have your instructors done to demonstrate their encouragement? Reflect upon your personal interaction and observation in your online courses thus far. Do You Perceive that? Not at all Very much so

11. Format is the same for all seven variables Follow up question: Would you like to be kept informed of the results? If so please provide an email address. Too early to tell but the results are proving rich in detail for both the quantitative and qualitative.

12. Would like to be kept informed on this results? please email me at amr@noodle-it.comamr@noodle-it.com Thank you for your time and attention.

13. References Granitz, N., Koernig, S. & Harich, K. (2009). Now it’s Personal: Antecedents and Outcomes of Rapport Between Business Faculty and Their Students. Journal of Marketing Education, 31 (52), 52-65. Lammers, W. J., & Jr, J. A. Gillaspy. (2013). Brief Measure of Student-Instructor Rapport Predicts Student Success in Online Courses. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 7 (2), Article 16. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ij- sotl/vol7/iss2/16 Murphy, E., & Rodríguez-Manzanares, M. A. (2012). Rapport in Distance Education. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 13(1), 167–190.