IT’S NOT JUST WHAT YOU SAY Training Your Tutors in Non-Verbal Communication Uche Ukuku, Graduate Assistant & Mark Walvoord, Director Student Learning Center, University College, University of Oklahoma
Promoting students' critical thinking skills, academic
achievement, and positive study habits; especially first- year
students in their transition to OU.
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Encouraging students to take ACTION towards their own academic
success free tutoring
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Offering academic assistance in over 65 subjects
Multi-location, in-person or online Drop-in or by-appointment
Staffed by trained, undergrad Peer Learning Assistants, GTAs,
and/or Instructors
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Productive tutor training sessions: 8-hour, conference-style at
start of semester Weekly opportunities with various topics to get
the 4 more required hours per semester
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OUs UC Action program is CRLA Level III certified!
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Non-verbal communication is described as the process of
communication through sending and receiving wordless cues between
people. These messages can be communicated through body language,
paralanguage, proximity, and silence Most researchers purport that
65-93% of all communication is non-verbal Training Your Tutors in
Non-Verbal Communication
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Researchers have identified six major functions of non- verbal
communication Accenting e.g., A raised eyebrow might accompany an
expression of surprise Complementing e.g., Biting my fingers while
saying Im nervous Contradicting e.g., Saying Im alright with tears
in my eyes and/or quivering voice Regulating e.g., When I want you
to stop speaking so I can talk I put one hand out, with the palm
facing forward and turn away slightly Repeating e.g., With car keys
in hand, coat and hat on, I can announce: "I'm leaving now," as I
walk toward the door. Substituting e.g., A head nod or shake
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Body Language: nonverbal, usually unconscious, communication
through the use of postures, gestures, facial expressions, and the
like. Actions come without consent or consciousness, they can
indicate aggression, attentiveness, boredom, relaxation, etc.
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Kroehnerts (2006) 5 teacher errors in body language 1. nasty
personal habits 2. being too stiff 3. blocking or touching the face
4. pointless hand gestures 5. tapping or shaking legs and/or
hands
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Paralanguage: the communication effect of the speech, pitch,
volume, tone, and connectivity of spoken words. Your tone should
reinforce the verbal message you are conveying. Vocal intonation is
probably the most valid and understood area of non-verbal
communication
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Silence: absence of any sound or noise Silence can communicate
comfort, companionship, or support; it can indicate that he
listener cares enough to stay present even if words arent being
spoken. Silence can motivate students to answer questions. It is
also a cue to if/when a student needs help.
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(This slide is for presenter use) Tone of Voice activity Using
the sentence Come to the board give 3 different ways this sentence
can be said in relation to 1. Body language 2. Proximity 3.
Paralanguage (tone, pitch, volume, speed). After youve created
these three different ways to say this sentence with your partner
rank body language, proximity, and paralanguage in order of
importance of how you view each one in regards to getting a
favorable response from a student. This activity may be
modified
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Non-verbal story response: Using a prompt, tell a story to your
partner, your partner will respond to the story non-verbally
according to whichever emotion they are given. Switch. Movie clip
In groups watch this clip without sound, come up with the dialogue
for what was happening, watch again with sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIVH7jmqdNc In groups again watch
another less obvious clip without sound. I will list what was said
and in groups you must assign which person in the clip said what
and give your justifications based on nonverbal cues, watch again
with sound.
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Shy/Bashful Angry Enthusiastic/Joyful Fearful Bored Frustrated
Skeptical Stressed/Anxious Sad
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Feedback from our tutoring staff? Entertaining and meaningful.
Fun activities. It was good to be involved in the discussion.
Learned to recognize body language. This session made me think
about the cues I want to send my clients It was nice to revisit
some concepts of nonverbal communication & how it can apply to
tutoring.
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How did The Non- Verbal training rank on the evaluations scale
of Usefulness as compared to the other sessions offered? (1=least
useful 5= very useful)
