Very true. It also has an impact on those who like to doze off in class. Lets say, they sleep with one eye open! I find that walking back on ocasion does seem to have an effect on their attention span.
Moving around the classroom gives students a chance to be closer to the instructor's center of attention. Those sitting near the back can't hide quite so easily if the instructor walks back there from time to time.
I think it is important to move around the class to ensure the whole class is engaged. The body language of the students is also a good indicator of their interest or understanding of the material
Great points Dr. Stewart!
It keeps everyone alert. Students feel like they are genuinely part of the learning process.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
When the instuctor moves around the classroom, he or she makes the entire room part of the learning process. It also allows the instructor to see who is really engaged in the lesson and who may be having trouble. This is something I need to work on. As a Math instructor, I find myself tied to the whiteboard demonstrating how the students need to work the problems at hand. I sometimes ask a student to work the problem at hand with the assurance that we, the entire class, will help them solve the problem. This approach allows me to move around and see what difficulties my students are having.
Hello Jay,
I think it is really important to move around the course to make sure students feel like you interacting in the course.
The motion in the course also keeps people aware and it feels like you are interacting with the classroom and monitoring students keeping their attention span.
Thanks,
Nick
Moving around the classroom helps with creating an engaging learning environment. As mentioned in the material, it removes the barrier. It also forces students to “follow†the instructor around the class which means that students are giving him/her their attention.
Moving around gives proximity to each student...it can be "personal" contact and it diminishes 'soft spots" in the room - places where students sit to discourage being call upon. it also force the stduent to focus on the instructor, thus improving concentration.
It allows the instructor to be more involeved with the students. The change in location aides in keeping students attentive. Classroom dynamics can also be observed and managed by moving about the classroom
It is important because it engages the entire class. Moving around amps accountability for the students. Ex: taking notes instead of passing notes or just doodling!
I love moving around the classroom! It not only helps to keep the students engaged, but it also helps to keep me engaged into how the lecture is going. I like to go all over the room, and I definitely use all sorts of hand movements and gestures. The more active I am - the more active the students are as well!
Hi Terence!
We build rapport and a connection with students that we might not otherwise achieve. It sometimes moves the instructor out of their comfort zone and motivates them to be more a part of the classroom experience as a learner.
Good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Moving around the classroom helps to keep all of the students engaged. Additionally, moving around the classroom helps remind some of the students that you see what they are doing and encourages them to pay attention more.
Greeting Patricia!
It breaks down those barriers that potentially prevent learning from taking place. Students are drawn in to what's happening in the classroom and become more eager to participate.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I have found that by frequently "roving" the classroom, I tend to eliminate the small clusters of students who have other topics to discuss. They are usually sitting in the back where they think they won't be discovered!
This also gives those students who have questions but don't like to speak up an opportunity to be heard.
Not only does moving around the classroom allow you to own the space it allows you to connect with the students.
Entering their space takes away that barrier of the desk or lectern and leads to connections rather than disconnections.
I like moving around the classroom to keep the students attention. It makes a lecture less boring. You can make contact with students more easily.
Relocating oneself in the classroom accomplishes several things. It allows the student to re-focus their attention. It calls attention to a point you are about to make. It allows you to monitor several areas of student activity and to connect with each student.
I have tried sitting in a high chair, a student chair, walking around a little, and standing in different places in the room, I'm not sure what helps them stay focused the best, but I know I am not a stagnant oracle!
Locating yourself in the classroom is important because it lets the students know where they should place their attention just as if we were actors on a stage.
