Question 1
A university is implementing a new digital feedback system for student assignments. During the pilot phase, it was observed that while faculty provided detailed text-based feedback, students' engagement with it was minimal, and their subsequent performance did not improve. Which communication model best explains this breakdown, highlighting the missing element in the university's approach?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
The Transactional Model of communication best explains this scenario. Unlike linear models (like Lasswell's or Shannon-Weaver's) that see communication as a one-way process, the Transactional Model views it as a simultaneous exchange where both parties are senders and receivers. The problem described is not just about the message's effect or channel noise, but the absence of a dynamic feedback loop and shared meaning creation. Students are not just passive receivers; their lack of engagement is a form of non-verbal feedback that the system isn't capturing, indicating a failed transaction.