Linda,
this is so true & by showing the energy & enthusiasm to move around the room, the students will have more energy & enthusiasm.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It is important for an instructor to move around the classroom because it will help the students stay engaged in the instruction. By floating around the classroom, this helps the students by providing movement for them to follow, thus activating their attention that might have been lapsing.
It is important becuase it keeps the students more engaged and less bored. It also allows the teacher to get a better view of the entire classroom.
Forces engagement and listening. It's hard to sleep during lecture if the instructor is in your space as a student.
All excellent points, Stephen. By being present in every area of the learning environment, you are monitoring student behavior, observing student retention, demonstrating a variety of resources, and keeping them focused on you as the provider of knowledge. During group activities, it also makes you more readily accessable to anyone with questions. And it certainly assists in keeping the easily distracted ones alert.
Bryan,
which then allows you to engage all students. As you see a student drifting off or maybe struggling with a concept, you are more aware of these issues & can help.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It helps you to take command of the whole class a monitor the class for attentiveness.
Edson,
I like your statement about a better learning environment. That is not limited to the front of the room & by moving around I make the entire class that environment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Sometimes I think it helps the students stay engaged. When I walk around I find that often times they will follow me or move their heads to look at me while I am talking. This forces them to pay attention. It also lets me see the class and the students from different perspectives.
I really like your post, the techniques you use are similar to the ones that I do. I have found that this brings a richer learning enviroment.
I believe that moving around the classroom helps establish a better learning enviroment for the students. If the instructor moves around they can help students who are struggling along with prompting better discussion about the lecture, this will also ensure that students are participating during the actvity at hand.
It helps the students to track the flow of the lecture by maintaining their attention more deliberately
To make sure that studenta are paying attention and to encourage participation. You are really making students become part of the class.
David,
movement around the room is a great way to keep the students focused & engaged as well as to check for those non-related activities.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like to move around the classroom to keep the students from losing focus, and to prevent myself from slipping into a monotonous lecture. By moving around, I also am discouraging the students from non-learning activities, such as texting, etc.
I find it makes me more comfortable to move around. I do not feel that it is best to have everyone staring at me at all times. I like to walk around and see what they are doing while I am speaking. This gives me an opportunity to peek at their notes and work without making them feel I am singling anyone out. It also seems to make them more open to asking questions.
I find that moving around the classroom keeps the students engaged with the content, helps me to minimize chit-chat among students, see which students may need more help in understanding the content, and puts me in a position to offer help if needed.
Moving about the classsroom helps the instructor *maintain individual student attention
*prevents inappropriate activity (phones, sidebar conversations)
*helps the instructor determine if the class is 'getting it'
All good motivations. I like to move around the classroom to establish the idea that I am approachable, available, here to help. - Phil
When i move around the class it keeps the students entertained. It allows myself a chance to not always be so stiff. During lectue I go around the class and will even lecture out of which ever student's book I am standing next to. I can tell if they are following the right page and lets everyone else know that they could be next. During the lab demos I try and make sure to put things in different spots so as I am walking, I can also be talking to them or allowing them to ask questions..
Lynette,
this is a great point. I go back to my theatre days & remember as director I tried to sit in a seat in every section of the theatre so I can see the production from the audience's perspective.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
