Walking Around The Classroom
I can sometimes have up to 40 students and I have found that by walking around my classroom it keeps my students engaged. They are more likely to speak up and ask or answer a question when I am closer to them instead of having to shout it out to the other end of the room.
Edward ,
great story from your personal experience. I've found, like you, that it really is a "freeing" experience.
Dr. Ryan Meers
After about the 3rd year of teaching, I started moving around the classroom. It freed me from being tied to the lecture stand and helped me engage with the students. It also gave me permission to be more animated and enthusiastic, especially with some topics that aren't terribly interesting.
Floating is my norm, but I sometimes ask myself if I float too much, especially when students are completing group or individual work. But when I'm floating nearby is when I often get a question from a student who does not usually speak up. I also use it for making contact with any student whom I haven't engaged yet that day. There's a fine line - most days it works well. Sometimes when I do feel close to that line, I simply step away/sit down for a few minutes.
I do the same thing. I move around the classroom throughout most of my classes. I notice it does help to keep the students engaged in the classroom. Students are definitely more willing to chime in during a discussion if I am in the middle of the room or next to their desk or row rather than if I am in front of the podium at the front of the classroom.
I was glad to learn that one should allow students to do group work independently by sitting down and reducting the power dynamic, by letting them know that it's their show. Before I would concentrate on floating during this time, to make myself more available, but I was just enabling them to call on me for group work ideas/answers.
I almost never walk around the classroom during my lectures. The reason? I consider a lecture a very specific method that requires student attention just because they know that after the lecture they will be offered some practical excersise that require their knowledge fished out of my lecture.
Generally speaking the method is working when it's directly connected with instructor's personnelity and the lecture topic. IT might be considered but don't work for every teacher and lecture
I agree with this way too often and I move around the classroom during the development of this and have kept the class active and interested more clear here is combine several factors but really idle in class instructor is not adequate and not Help
Hi Judy!
Walking around keeps everyone on their toes, alert and interactive.
Good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Michelle!
All really good reasons for walking around in the classroom. I personally like the interaction with students that occurs as a result of walking around the classroom. It opens up many more learning opportunities.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I can relate to this as well. I am currently teaching a class of 37 nursing students, my largest class yet. I always walk around the classroom as I discuss the topic for the day. Calling on a student by name also raises the level of class participation.
Walking around my classroom tells students I am actively engaged in the lecture. It portrays interest and enthusisum in the content. Modeling this behavior enhances student achievement.
I am a pastry chef instructor and I find walking around the room for both production and lecture engages the students. I especially make sure that I speak directly to each and every student every day so that each and every student feels I have a connection from instructor to student. It keeps the students balanced and there is never a feeling of favotism.
I agree that sometimes students mentally go away and can appear to be sleep. My moving around the room supports better attention from them and I think they appreciate it. I find that many topics will cause one to check out but by moving around in the class the student is more easily brought back to this world.
It is especially important when you have students that are distracted or unfocused. It is a non threatening way to redirect their attention by moving into their area.
Yes, Sara, walking around the classroom connects us to/with our students; therefore, they are more willing to participate and experience learning.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
