To involve and make contact with all of the students while also taking the temperature of the class.
Selma,
yes, movement in the classroom is very helpful to our students & in today's classroom with all of the technological distractions, it is almost a necessity.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Selma,
yes, movement in the classroom is very helpful to our students & in today's classroom with all of the technological distractions, it is almost a necessity.
Dr. Ryan Meers
A variety of reasons...
As mentioned in the tutorial, it makes the entire classroom the "learning lab" and not just one area.I find that students are more apt to ask questions as you move through the "zones" of the class.
It helps us to see which students may not be as focused on the lecture as they should.
And after incidents like what happened at Virginia Tech, we as instructors always need to know what is going on everywhere and always be prepared to keep the classroom a safe place for all.
Movement around the classroom gives the instructor away to make contact with the students that are in the back and middle of the room as while as the front of the class. This is good to do to get the students aware of the instructor, plus the instructor can view what the students are doing in the class and keep them focused on the topic.
As the lesson stated, it helps to engage the students and helps keep them focused. The instructor can also monitor what students are doing - whether or not the students are surfing the net, on Facebook, texting, etc.
Why is it important for an instructor to move around the classroom or lab?
I think it is important for the instructor to move around the classroom or lab because it gives the students a sense of engagement. In my opinion, if you have an instructor that just stays in front of the class, most of the time the students lose focus, watching the instuctor. I like my students to focus on the content on the board or projector screen. They need to be focused on that, not me.
Velma,
yes, the more we can leave that comfort zone the better chance we have of really connecting with our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
it keeos the instructor engaged which leads to the students being engaged. Each student will feel he or she has a learning relationship with an instructor who moves about the classroom. Standing behind a lecturn gives only the students in the front row a "closeness" to the instructor. The instructor can also be more aware of the classroom environment by moving about the classroom allowing him or her to keep less motivated students engaged.
Hello Joseph,
You hit on a very pertinent issue plaguing todays classroom. Texting draws students attention away from the lesson at hand, and if an instructor is only located in front of the classroom this behavior might continue. Students are less likely to text when an instructor is standing behind or right beside them.
Velma
The move away from the podium for me will allow more interactions with the students, allowing me to be more student centered. As my comfort level increases, I hope to be less reliant on the podium.
Moving around the classroom helps the instructor get a handle on the whole class. The students sitting in back may easily get disengaged, but once the instructor gets close they become refocused. Moving around will also show that the instructor is not just there for those students sitting in front of the classroom.
Velma,
these are all great reasons for movement in the classroom. Let me encourage you to keep pushing yourself & continue to work on moving away from the podium.
Dr. Ryan Meers
It is important for the Instructor to move around in the classroom for a few reasons.
The first reason is that the entire classroom is part of the instructional area and not only limited to the front of the room. Second it gives the students a break in their focus or gaze from staring at one position for a long time. It allows them to redirect their gaze and begin a new focus on the information. The third reason is that it allows the instructor to manage the classromm. It can cut down on students not paying attention or busy doing other things such as texting. It helps to keep the students focused. Another great reason to move if not done frantically will allow the instructor to release some nervous energy, and become comfortable in the classroom setting.
As a new instructor I am beginning to leave the comfort of the Podium, but have a way to go. I may be trying the extended arm technique in a short time.
My subject matter involves students working on a laptop. Moving lets me see how they are progressing. Even when stuck, some students are afraid to speak up and ask for help. It also gives me a chance to reinforce successes for those needing some confidence boosting.
A stationary lecturer, to me as a viewing participant, is akin to my watching an informative video(ZZZZZZZZZZZ).I believe that the aforementioned stance developes an unintentional disconnect with the class. Moving, if only occassionally, keeps the viewer's eyes and head moving. This in itself aids in reducing the tendency to close the eyes or simply drift away from the speaker--and thus the message.Also you get the opportunity to 'visit' and comment of those students whose habit is dozing to the entire class. A little embarrassment is good from time to time to getting a point across...
Moving around shows that I am available to help them if needed.
In the lab, it will bring you to each work area, and you can asess the progress of each student easier. In the classroom, it will keep the students alert and on-track.
It keeps the students engaged. If you are in one place, students can get distracted with others, nod off, and in general lose intrest in the topic.
It provides a connection with each student and allows me to assess their progress. It also gains the students attention and allows me to assess the dynamics of the class.
