Christine Stone: "I find that if I don't move around the classroom, it creates an imaginary barrier between the students and myself. When I move around and interact with groups as they are working in pairs on a dialogue or a homework assignment, not only do I feel like I am making a better connection and enforcing learning objectives with the students, but I also feel better about teaching for the day. It feels good to know you have connected."
Reply:
I absolutely agree regarding the "barrier" concept. My students have laptops and internet access all day, as it is required in order for them to learn the subject matter, but the barrier that this creates is called "Facebook IM'ing." By walking around my classroom, I can see what is up on their screens. They know this, and so in my classroom they tend to stay off the internet if I am moving around the room.
I move around alot during lecture and during the lab. I feel that bt doing this the students know that the "whole" classroom/lab is open to me. Meaning that I am not stuck just in one spot and that everyone can ask me questions. Plus it makes it easier for me to answer students quicker, since i am closer to them.
I feel that it is important to move about the room because it gets the students more involved in the discussion/lecture.
I am personally very uncomfortable just standing in one spot, especially behind a podium. However, I have encountered a class that has a hearing impaired student. Although he wears a hearing aid, he also relies on reading lips. I am finding this very difficult to adjust to. It throws off my lectures. What suggestions might you have to help in this situation?
It helps the student refocus and let them know you care about the whole room and not just acouple of student
in addition to assisting students in their learning, by keeping them on task (as mentioned by others in this forum), moving around can also keep the instructor "present," particularly if a night class is being taught after a long day. just a bit of physical movement can keep the blood flowing to the brain.
Moving around the classroom is a tool in the instructors tool box. Too much is distracting, too little even worse. My organization teaches in a variety of different locations and settings. Recon of the classroom is paramount. I then use the layout to inhance the presentations. When lecturing move to stay out of the visual line between students and training aids. When making a point move to the screen and use gestures to emphasize. I often approach a student asking a question to make it more personnel and then move back to a more central position to address the answer, thus including the entire class. By using movement effectively, not just moving, the instructor enhances the presentation and learning.
When you move around the room it keeps the studens focused. They are less likely to loose interest or let their minds stray, when you change your location in the room and are not a statue.
Mixing it up, I will sometimes describe the process for a software demonstration as students navigate with little other than the software open on the projector. As they work through the directive, struggling students are encouraged to ask questions.
When the class as a whole starts to struggle, I'll go to the instructor station and conduct a demonstration of the directive they have been working on, repeating the directions up to the point where they are struggling, then repeat the process.
This has helped to keep the class engaged and actively participating, especially during longer "block" classes.
I teach a software based class, so I'm seated at a computer/projector for the majority of class demonstrating the program that I am teaching to my students. I will physically go to a student's workstation if they have a question or I try to move around when I am presenting verbal instruction.
I teach two classes, one in a traditional classroom and one in a restaurant classroom. In both situations, moving about keeps me involved with as many students as possible.
In the traditional classroom, moving around allows me to more easily engage students other than those in the front row and it seems to keep the students on their toes, listening and involved in the lecture and off their cell phones.
In the restaurant, moving around almost constantly during service allows me to assist and discuss service methods with all the students in the class regardless of what position they may be working that day.
Overall, it keeps me more in touch with the students during the entire learning process and makes a huge impact.
It is important to move around the room to make sure all the students are inclusive to the learning leason.
It shows the instructor involvement. I is also a great class control method. The students are more likely to fall in line when they feel that you are near them. They are also curious what your next move or topic may be and will it include that individual/
If you stay in one spot, chances are you will only see/reach one segment of your class population.
I move around my class regularly and have changed the configuration of the classroom to facilitate being able to observe and easily approach students.
There is no hiding in the back row anymore! I have found that the movement around the classroom actually has improved student attention and class involvement.
An instructor needs to move around the classroom or lab so they will engage the students a little better. They will be less likely to put the students to sleep. Also, they will not be tied to one location in the room. Sometimes I move to the back of the room...out of the students line of sight, but only briefly. When I do this, it is usually when I take a pause or am ready to make a transition into the next topic...with some notes on the board or projector.
Katina - another superb observation and approach to classroom strategies.
Good job!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
Hi Katina!
I applaud your self awareness and that you are now going to engage the group in a way that you haven't in the past. I have personally always gotten much more out of an instructor/guest speaker when they have been annimated and connected with the group.
Thanks for your observations and good luck with your changes.
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I meet with the students on a regular basis to discuss their externships. I frequently change the locaiton of our meeting to keep it fresh. I try to use irregular seating arrangments to encourage discussion and communictaion.
Walking the room helps keep students engaged in the lecture (heads & eyes moving, not "zoning out",etc) and allows me to keep an eye on students that might be up to mischief! I also watch for students that look like they are struggling with the lesson/concept so I can help them with any issues.
I have to move around the classroom - the students tend to be more engaged if they think you are going to move around.
Sometimes I move around in the lab (during demo)
just to wake them up a little or I will ask someone to hand me something - even though I could have at it ready before class - it keeps them much more watchful and less likely to fall asleep.
My class room is a little different than most.The tables are round and some of the students have to turn around to see the front of the class.when I do a power point presentation, about half the class has to turn around to see what is going on.For this reason is is very important to move around the room to make sure all students are getting the information and are attentive to the subject matter.In the future I hope to get tables that are straight and face the front of the class.
