Pay attention to your non-verbal language in the videoconferences of your e-learning course.
Perfect, you’re connected. Everything seems to be working. You are nervous because you are entering a new environment, the digital one. If you are a teacher, you know all too well how difficult it is to establish good communication with your students. The subject, the specific day and a thousand other factors will influence the session. But that’s what we’re here for. In the following post we will give you a series of strategies with which you will be able to ” captivate” those present and, at the very least, have an influence on their learning. Keep reading and discover how to maximise the importance of your non-verbal language!
The keys to e-Learning success
You are staring through your computer window and you have no idea if your students are paying attention to you or even seeing you. Gone are all your tricks and stunts in the classroom. You can’t walk around, you can’t approach them… But you have an ace up your sleeve: non-verbal communication.
The words you verbalise represent only 7% of the whole communicative process. Your voice and all its characteristics make up 38%, while body language makes up the remaining 55%. Is it time to think about how to use it effectively? This is when we need to consider a number of characteristics:
Careful framing. The power of an image is immeasurable (ask the cinema). What appears in the frame offers the first impression you want to give and therefore must be carefully considered. Normally, what you see is a medium-short image (between the height of the armpits and the waist). In your case as a teacher, you should focus on the central part. Take care of the surrounding elements, as they are considered to be significant.
The power of gestures. It is not advisable to relax too much and adopt inappropriate postures. You have to be comfortably seated and with a straight back. On the other hand, you should keep your distance from the camera, as too close to the camera can give the impression of invasion of space. On top of that, your image will be distorted and we don’t think that’s what you’re particularly aiming for.
The eyes are the connecting point. Your gaze determines the degree of attention and interest you display. Looking into the camera will give the interlocutor the feeling that you are looking directly into their eyes. Be careful when positioning the camera so that you don’t strain your posture or appear to be looking elsewhere. Of course, don’t let your hair cover your face.
Don’t forget to smile. It is a gesture that produces a feeling of closeness, predisposes the interlocutor in a positive way and is beneficial to communication. Avoid forcing it and do not make negative gestures such as yawning.
What the hands express. Show dynamism without exaggeration, as this can give the impression of nervousness and insecurity. Avoid crossing your arms or covering your face by bringing them too close to the camera.
Clothing. Clothing provides a lot of personal detail depending on the colours, shapes, textures and combinations. Clothing should be planned according to the image you want to convey. In any case, you should choose comfortable clothes that allow you to sit comfortably without being uncomfortable or oppressive.
These are just some of the tips on how to get the best out of your online videoconference. As you will have seen, with the e-learning method you are not only teaching your students, you are also learning new things. Long live the LMS platforms!