Video Response

The three short films that we viewed all expressed different issues of physicality within the writing center, while still differing within their approach and content.

Film 1: The consultants seemed to be maintaining a positive stance where they are able to show that they are interessted and that they are expressing positive energy and feedback. Sitting up in the chair, remaining focused, and involved all reveal the appropriate physical language. There was an issue with how the writing center was set up. The consultants were set up across from the clients and this seemed only to distance the two groups rather than unify. Sitting across from each other also seemed awkward while discussing visual aids like a book or the paper that they were reading. This film showed that the physical layout of the center plays a very vital role in the effectiveness of the center.

Film 2: This film showed a young client enter the writing center and participate in a session with a much older consultant. For many reasons the consultant seemed turned off by the client (the reasons could have been him eating and talking on the phone). The consultant showed very obiously with his body language that he was not interessted. He seemed drawn back, stand-offish, authoritative, and uninteressted. Although the client did not seem to be the happiest client to the center it must be known that although it is not the job of the consultant to change a client's attitude it IS the consultant's job to not judge a client at all, especially to the point of negatively affecting that clients expereince.

Film 3: This clip seemed to reveal all of the most important aspects of the writing center. It showed that it is important for the consultant to sit on or near the same side of the tables as the client (so as not to discourage), to be positive, and to reflect this positivity within their body movement. It was obvoius that just by walking their clients to and from the center doors the clients seemed more comfortable and willing to work because the consultant was expressing so much interesst and desire in assisting the client.

These three films reveal the importance of all types and forms of body languagge within the writing center and how the consultant has control of all of these different types of body language. It truely is important for all consultants to be mindful of the signals that they can and probably are sending through their body language without even knowing it.