The lecture walk
As a new instructor, I found it quite scary to be in front of a large class. Also, I was limited to the corner of the room because of my power point presentations. I had to be able to click the mouse on the computer to advance a slide.
So what happened? I bought myself a wireless mouse. Now I can move around the room when I speak. I find that some students learn better if they can see the instructor better. It has helped several of my students who sit near the back. It also is helping me with several problem students (talkers/sleepers) because I can lecture near them to prevent these behaviors.
As a former professional Dancer & theatrical technician... I have an extremely vivacious pressence in my classroom. I have characters that I use for specific chapters. The first thing I do is remove the podium and arrange my material on the first table in the classroom. I use alot of physical movement, gesture & vocal "noises" when I lecture. If I ask a question & get a correct answer I bounce up & down & loudly say "ding , ding ding.. YES !" after a while my student will begin to copy my ding ding noise when other students make a correct comment. I'm constantly moving around the classroom & making eye contact with my students. My student reviews at the end of the quarter often say "instructor is very annimated" Don't be afraid to move, make noises, & act goofy... students LOVE a break in the normal routine :))
I like to walk around just because I think it does help to keep the students engaged. They can look at the powerpoints and myself as I show examples with my hands or move to demonstate things. I like to think that my actions in class help the students retain key points.
John,
hopefully it will work for you!
Dr. Ryan Meers
Thank you...I will try this. I appreciate the idea you presented about feelings (the strong urge to move...but must be controlled). I will work on this!
John,
definitely a challenge, but at least you are aware. My biggest suggestion is to build "walk breaks" into your lecture notes. Force yourself to stand still until you get to one of your designated "walk breaks" then allow yourself to walk around a little, plant again & stay there until another of your breaks. This may be hard & you may feel like you are going to explode but this might help some.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I picked this topic because I think I have a problem with this. I tend to move around a lot whether I'm a student, teaching or just talking...in everyday life I tend to move. I "sense" when teaching I may be moving a bit fast and a bit much. How can I slow myself down? How can I move a bit more "methodically" - I've already gotten into a bad habit...
It's important to lecture walk it keeps the teacher and the students engaged.
This was exactly my story when I began to lecture. I don't think it can be emphasized enough for those of us using powerpoint presentations to utilize the remote presentation advancer. If you don't have one, get one. It will change and open your presentation world to you and your students.
