Question behaviors of undergraduates in classes : Why undergraduates don' t ask questions in classes?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to grasp the actuality of undergraduates' question behaviors in classes, and to examine factors affecting them. In study 1, observation of undergraduates' question behaviors was conducted. As a result, the question behaviors were classified into four styles: 1.voluntary style, 2.not-voluntary style, 3.after-class style, 4.no-question. In study 2, the questionnaire about the usual question behavior, the reason why they don't ask voluntary in classes, and factors that seemed to affect question behaviors was conducted. Subjects were 292 undergraduates. Results were as follows: (a) the tendency that students didn't ask question voluntary in classes, but ask question actively after classes was founded, (b) not only the individual characteristics, but also the class situation affected the undergraduates' question behaviors. Result of this study suggested that the undergraduates' question behaviors were affected by the existence of other students and the mood of class strongly, so that students didn' t ask questions voluntary in classes.