Students' Views of the Characteristics of Instructors' Approachability

Abstract

The present study explored college students' perceptions of what makes an instructor approachable. 82 female and 22 male undergraduate students were asked to list characteristics of an instructor that would make it more likely and less likely for that student to seek help from an instructor outside of class. The responses were content analyzed and six categories of behaviors emerged from the responses: personality, lecture and class style, respect for students' understanding, goes beyond the call of duty, office habits, and grading issues. Responses that fit into the first four categories were listed as the most important factors in instructors approach-ability.