Non verbal communication
What do you find is your most successful non verbal communication skill in the classroom?
Taylor,
this movement does help keep their attention & also helps to reinforce certain concepts or points.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like to move around the classroom and make eye contact with he students. I also use gestures to make the lecture more lively.
All great ideas. Also, general body posture is key. Having an open & welcoming posture rather than closed off & seeming defensive.
Ryan
I like to jesture with my hand, stop, smile, make eye contact, and listen.
I sometimes draw hydraulic pictures on the board and have the students draw out power flows and discuss what happens when the valve shifts. I also look for the students that look puzzled or about half asleep. Then I pose a question to them. I usually keeps them on their toes and also keeps their buddies on their toes, because they may be called upon next.
I don't have just one non verbal style..I like to walk around the room. I use eye contact, facial expressions, hand gestures and full body gestures when it fits the situation. If you can add humor to the lecture it breaks the monotony of the 4 hour class. I love my profession and therefore it is easy for me to get my point across to the students. I also find that smiling is the key to a healthy relationship with the students.
I find walking around the classroom keeps students awake and enguaged. handing out props and getting the students involved not only verbally but physically.
Stop talking and just stand there looking at the students works.
I’m going to have to say that moving around the room and making eye contact with each student and observing their body language and facial expressions works quite well.
To determine if communication is taking place with my students I must carefully use my eyes to listen to the student’s non-verbal communication message their body is signaling to me. This is called feedback and can be either a positive or negative signal that tells me if communication has or has not occurred.
A positive signal is a sign that understanding is taking place. It could be a nod of the head or a sudden smile of recognition. Facial expression like “I see†or “right†my also be observed.
A negative signal is a sign that understanding has not taken place. You may observe a puzzled expression or a blank look. Facial expression like “Huh†or “Hmmmâ€
My most successful non verbal communication in the classroom is my eye contact. The students are able to follow my teaching when I make proper eye contact with them. I find that they don't drift off while I am teaching if I keep eye contact with them.
Hi Louis!
Good comment! It's also important that instructors read students' body language which will assist in recognizing those who are missing certain concepts or who are distracted. Gives instructors a starting point for conversation with students who we need to connect with the class and with learning.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Moving around using hand motions and short term eye contact seems to work for me
Moving around the classroom helps keep the students attention. I am in favor of trying any technique that helps the students keep their concentration on the subject matter.
I like to involve a lot of grand arm gestures along with the movement around the room.
Smiling is the best alternitive :)
I try to mix it up. Sometimes I move around the classroom, sometimes I just stop talking and wait for them to notice what I'm not saying.
I like to move around the room & use myarms & legs to emphasize certain points i'm trying to make, lots of flair.
I use a combination of the previously mentioned items. I floataround the room,as well as facial expressions. Being unpredictable helps break up the routine.
Hi Wayne!
There are many expression and motions that instructors have to observe. When you have a diverse group of people, the differences are not only in behaviors and attitudes but in non-verbal communications. Just another reason why we have to get to know our students.
Good work!
Jane Davis
ED106
