Teaching Nonverbal Communication - Research Proposal Example

There are many styles and techniques in teaching. Some are more effective than others and not all of them are standardized. The active learning technique is a rather uncommon way of teaching and as expected, not many teachers agree to use this method mainly because it is unconventional and others are simply not comfortable doing so. As it was mentioned in the article Vol. 50/No. 3 89, "Lectures remain the primary method of instruction in higher education despite several limitations". The word several here as it was used in the description, is not merely an expression or an exaggeration, but an accurate way to describe the limits of the traditional classroom teaching, more commonly known as "lecture".

In the lecture setting, as we all know and experience, we all sit and listen and only the teacher is the one sharing information from his point of view. He may ask questions from time to time to see if the students understood the lesson or ask if the students have any questions regarding the topic. Some teachers do it in a more interactive manner, but it still does not provoke creative thinking. As compared to active learning, which Professors Schwebel experimented on, students were able to do a "hands-on" experience learning non-verbal communication.

In the activity, students were asked to do a role play of both an interviewer and interviewee alternately. As instructed, the interviewees did all that they can to show that they are not listening. Some played with their pens, rolled their eyes, or avoided eye contact, which they found out later was non-verbal communication. This way, the students experienced how non-verbal communication can affect