This gives the student time to renew their thought pattern; also the 15 minute average attention time span of an adult will start over.
It helps for the who room to be your class room. i also find for those students who goof off, talk or play with their cell phones, that they are less likely to do so. They pay attention more because they know you will be walking by them.
It is important to claim the territory of learning. Also, it keeps students focused on what the environment is for—a place to collaborate, participate and learn.
Times have changed and in my experience, students use laptops to take notes. I allow this in class because I understand that some students just feel more comfortable with typing than writing. Moving around the classroom allows me to monitor the activity of the students with their laptops. I often find students on social networking sites. I first issue a warning and then I do not allow the student to use a laptop for note taking for a few class periods. If they are caught a 3rd time, I do not allow it. Walking around the classroom just helps the students understand that you are watching and this is YOUR classroom and every rule is enforced.
I like the explanation in this module that it is claiming the entire environment of the classroom as lecture and learning space. This set good boundaries and nurtures the students experience of learning.
Also, when floating you create a more relaxed and comfortable place for learning because it induces collaboration between students and the instructor.
Jonathan,
all of these are great observations. It really does help us to connect with our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The first of these is that it helps to facilitate student involvement and attention. Your physical presence tends to demand a visceral response on the part of the student. The more relaxed, since and appropriate your presence is, the more positive the student response will be.
It creates a greater sense of class cohesion and involvement via intermittent, momentary, individual attention (“the professor isn’t just talking to THEM, he/she is talking to ME as wellâ€).
Such excursions cut down upon student inclinations to engage into inappropriate activities such as sleeping, texting, checking Facebook, etc. which can degrade respect for the course and the instructor over time.
Last, but not least, when a student is in need of more personalized, focused attention, in order to assist them in expression of an idea (or their comprehension of one); you’re there.
Your physical presence to assist them in the learning process is valued by most students.
Russell,
great job in nailing the benefits of being mobile in the classroom.
Dr. Ryan Meers
This allows you to take control of the entire space of the educational environment and be all inclusive to the students located in different parts of the room. By moving around, you are including everyone, and this movement also keeps students more engaged with the instructor and the content of the lectures. As they feel more comfortable with the instructor, and the environment, they also become more comfortable with the learning environment, and the content of the lectures.
I had not given much thought to moving around the classroom before this module. I am one to stay close to my notes at the podium - but see that is an area that I can work on improving.
Yes, and it gives them more incentive to ask questiond, give imput , and comprehend the subject matter!
Mitessa,
yes when we move around the classroom & really try to connect with the students it really does show our students that we respect our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Cleider,
and I think our students appreciate it knowing that we're keeping them on task & that they need to focus on our class. Of course we have to make it worth their while.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Aaron,
it is very interesting to see how just a little bit of movement around the classroom really does help communicate that you are part of the class as much as the students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Judith,
it is always a good idea to test visuals & hearing levels at a variety of places around the room.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Thats beneficial to the class as well as the instructor. This allows the instructor to connect with every student troughout entire room, and brings the connection of the material into the students space (they are more attentive and lessens their tendency to drift). The instructor can gain more respect when they are not behind a podeum and can also gauge the effectiveness of the lecture drawing near to the students during lecture.
This is important because you can monitor what the students are doing. And it gives them less opportunity to do non related class activities such as texting. You will their interest and they know that they need to pay attention and be prepared if ever you decide to throw individual questions. The students feel that they are part of the class.
I have to agree here. In my expierence moving around in the classroom shows that you are part of the class instead of apart from the class. You as the instructor showing involvement helps to get less motivated students involved and helps in everyones education.
Theresa ,
I agree with you. Moving around helps to make ourselves available to our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Kristina ,
well put! I think it really helps illustrate to our students that there is no "back" of the classroom, but we're all involved as you point out.
Dr. Ryan Meers
