It’s Not just what you say

1. Training Your Tutors in Non-Verbal Communication It’s Not just what you say Uche Ukuku, Graduate Assistant & Mark Walvoord, Director Student Learning Center, University College, University of Oklahoma

2. OU’s Student Learning Center

3. Student Learning Center • Promoting students' critical thinking skills, academic achievement, and positive study habits; especially first-year students in their transition to OU. Facilities

4. free tutoring Encouraging students to take ACTION towards their own academic success

5. 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

7. 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

8. OU’s UC Action program is CRLA Level III certified!

11. UC Action visit data

12. Training Your Tutors in Non-Verbal Communication 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 It’s Not just what you say Overview

13. 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 I’m nervous • Contradicting • e.g., Saying “I’m 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 Functions

14. 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. Non-verbal Components

15. Kroehnert’s (2006) 5 teacher errors in body language nasty personal habits being too stiff blocking or touching the face pointless hand gestures tapping or shaking legs and/or hands Non-verbal Components

16. 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 Non-verbal components cont.

17. 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 aren’t being spoken. • Silence can motivate students to answer questions. • It is also a cue to if/when a student needs help. Non-verbal components cont.

18. Can you read their Body Language?

19. Can you read their Body Language?

20. Can you read their Body Language?

21. Shy/Bashful Angry Enthusiastic/Joyful Fearful Bored List of emotions • Frustrated • Skeptical • Stressed/Anxious • Sad

22. Feedback from our tutoring staff? Staff Feedback Learned to recognize body language. Entertaining and meaningful. It was nice to revisit some concepts of nonverbal communication & how it can apply to tutoring. Fun activities. It was good to be involved in the discussion. This session made me think about the cues I want to send my clients

23. 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) Tutor Training Evaluations

24. Questions??