The students gave told me it helps them relate to me when I move around...I think it helps to also help keep them on their toes as they are less likely to "wonder off" if I am standing near them making rye contact.
Moving around helps the students connect with the instructor. Also helps with preventing side conversations.
Moving around the classroom shows that you are interested in all the students, not just the students in the front row.
Adam,
both of your points are great & I like your point about the noise of the equipment. We must always be considering our classes & individual environments & what we can do to best accommodate each situation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think moving around the classroom helps keep all of the students attentive and engaged. Also, I teach computer science and all of the equipment in our lab can generate a lot of noise. It can be difficult for students to hear me so I make a concerted effort to move throughout the room during my lecture.
I really liked Paul's answer to the moving around the classroom. It doesnt allow the student to get so comfortable in that one spot to where they can begin to use cell phones or non school related subjects on the Ipads. I primarily do it to keep them always paying attention.
In my case I love to move around the classroom as it makes my students feel like I am with them, not a far away untouchable instructor. And it allows for me to see what is going on with my students, when they are not paying attention just walking by or next to them brings them back in.
It keeps the students attention and keeps me more engaged with their learing at the same time. I can gauge their reactions more accurately, and make sure they are understanding the material.
Sandra,
this is a great point & excellent reasons for moving about the room & staying "active" as an instructor.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree that moving about the classroom is important. The instructor has much better insight into what is actually going on in all areas of the room this way. It is also an energizing feature. Instructors who habitually sit at a desk or stand at a podium are really missing out. These instructors are giving the appearance of not caring an not themselves being really engaged in the learning process. We can't expect the students to be engaged if we are not that way 100% of the time we are in he classroom.
For me it helps me identify student that are on Facebook, Youtube, etc... By being mobile during lectures and lab I not only interact with the students (and keep them on task), it makes me available for one-on-one with a student who may have a question or comment.
Joshua,
these are all great points & reasons for us to be moving around & trying to be in contact with the students as much as possible.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Moving around the classroom has several benefits.
1. It shifts the students (and teachers) focus. Staying behind your desk makes it hard for the students to maintain focus no matter how well the material is covered.
2. It keeps you out of a comfort zone. Similar to the problems student face with focus, parking it behind a desk makes it hard for me to stay energized
3. You get a better overview of what’s going on in your class. People are much less likely to try something if you are frequently moving around.
I move around the class room and design the seating so I can make eye contact with each student. I ask the students nicely to place their backpacks on a nearby table and I have a basket on my desk for their cell phones during testing. If they have emergent child care issues or job interviews, they notify me in advance and they excuse themselves and take the call outside of class.
Movement by the instructor keeps the students attention on the instructor. This includes walking around the classroom as well as gestures during a presentation. I have found that this does help keep the students engaged in the lecture. There are also some barriers to this, like small crowded classrooms and also when using video, the area in which you can move is greatly reduced.
I find that standing near the student that is "off-task" often times redirects them to the class without having to say anything to them.
I teach both middle school and adult learners. In the middle school setting I move throughout the classroom to make sure all students are task and feel like they are part of the class. Often, middle school students don't like to ask for help because they feel "different" than their peers. By walking around the class I can see if students are struggling with a concept and help them through their problems without them having to ask for help. In addition, moving throughout the classroom usually makes students move in their seats to follow you, thus keeping them from becoming distracted from sitting in one position too long.
Moving around the classroom with adult learners accomplishes the same things as it does with middle school students. There really isn't much difference between these two levels of learners other than the adults usually have a longer attention span.
I feel that by moving around in the classroom it is easier to make that important eye contact. Letting the student know that you acknowledge their presence helps them to connect with you and lesson.
Wendi ,
I like your comment about seeing the room from their perspective as it does help me see how to improve the learning environment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like to move around in the class to help students refocus and not zone out. Seeing the students from different angles of the classroom helps me as an instructor see how they view the board and set up of the room. It also helps include those students who think by sitting in the back they are will not be noticed.
