The process and affective environment of students’ personal information management

Abstract This study investigates students’ personal information management (PIM) during the creation of coursework. In-depth interviews to elicit students’ narratives on their PIM were conducted specifically to understand the affective environment. The resulting descriptions depart from what might be considered ‘ideal’ behaviour, and analysis of the emotional response identify the ‘norm’, students’ assessment of their own behaviour against the ideal. Information management is integral to student learning and in a digital environment has become increasingly complex. This study suggests that well-placed instruction is needed to help students understand both the process and the affective environment of PIM.