CONCEPT
The Nonverbal Immediacy Scale (NIS) was developed to help teachers evaluate their nonverbal skills, the more communicators (teachers) employ immediate behaviors, the more others will like, evaluate highly, and prefer such communicators (teachers), therefore encouraging students to learn. Changes in teachers immediacy in a classroom may have significant influences, not only for the individual instructor and the individual course, but especially when viewed over an entire program
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Communication research on nonverbal immediacy and its measurement began in 1978. Andersen’s work employed a 15-item Likert-type scale completed by students with respect to their teachers. Work by Gorham and Zakahi (1990) continued to improve the validity. The scale currently used was completed in 2003 by Richmond and McCroskey.
The Nonverbal Immediacy Scale (NIS) was developed to help teachers evaluate their nonverbal skills, the more communicators (teachers) employ immediate behaviors, the more others will like, evaluate highly, and prefer such communicators (teachers), therefore encouraging students to learn. Changes in teachers immediacy in a classroom may have significant influences, not only for the individual instructor and the individual course, but especially when viewed over an entire program
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Communication research on nonverbal immediacy and its measurement began in 1978. Andersen’s work employed a 15-item Likert-type scale completed by students with respect to their teachers. Work by Gorham and Zakahi (1990) continued to improve the validity. The scale currently used was completed in 2003 by Richmond and McCroskey.
my results
PERSONAL REFLECTION
After taking the Nonverbal Immediacy Instrument and tallying the results, I realized that my score as a male respondent was pretty high (100) being the mean among men 93.8. Reflecting about this result, I can now readily understand why many people think I am a pretty successful teacher. When I teach a class, I always maintain eye contact, have a relaxed body posture, smile, use gestures, stand close and move toward my students while talking. All these behaviors are positive because they promote classroom learning and bonding. I earn my students' trust by showing real interest in their learning and showing respect at all times.
After taking the Nonverbal Immediacy Instrument and tallying the results, I realized that my score as a male respondent was pretty high (100) being the mean among men 93.8. Reflecting about this result, I can now readily understand why many people think I am a pretty successful teacher. When I teach a class, I always maintain eye contact, have a relaxed body posture, smile, use gestures, stand close and move toward my students while talking. All these behaviors are positive because they promote classroom learning and bonding. I earn my students' trust by showing real interest in their learning and showing respect at all times.