Role of Proxemics in Online and Offline Classroom Settings

Abstract

Proxemics is one important way in which nonverbal communication is studied. It refers to thephysical space between communicators, the comfort experienced with the space and its effect onsocial interaction. In educational settings, proxemics has been affected by the changing modes ofclasses – online v/s offline. With online education, the distance between the learner and theteacher has expanded due to which new challenges have arisen in pedagogical engagement. Thepresent research reviews the impact of changes in physical space in the classroom settings, andexplores comfort and attention of undergraduate students in both online and offline settings. Aself-created questionnaire and semi – structured interview have been used to explore the same. The researchers also explore pedagogies that will help to enhance the learning outcomes inchanging classroom environments.