Influence of Lecturer Immediacy on Students’ Learning Outcomes: Evidence from a Distance Education Program at a University in Saudi Arabia

Research on communication behaviours in fostering effective learning outcomes has become important, particularly in the distance education setting, where there is no face-to-face communication. Given the issue of physical distance between lecturer and students, the concept of behavioural immediacy aims to encompass behavioural styles that simulate a sense of co-presence in mediated communications to compensate for the lack of direct verbal contact and body language cues. Immediacy behaviours practised by the lecturer in virtual classrooms may reduce their psychological distance from students, creating a more social environment and increasing sensory stimulation, to aid the learning process.