I find my movement around the classroom keeps the students engaged and not working on other material during the lecture. If they get too relaxed in an area of the room, I'll make my way over to that area during lecture and re-engage those students.
I never thought of it this way before, but I am "staking out my territory!" I'm letting my students know that I am comfortable and the entire classroom is my domain. When they see that I am comfortable, it relaxes them more. It also takes the visual focus off of me. Students are able to focus more on my words. Although, when I float during a test, some students have told me that it makes them nervous. In an earlier lesson, I read that you shouldn't float during a test, but in this one it says that you should.
I believe that floating during a test helps to decrease cheating. If it makes a student nervous, they have to find a way to deal with that.
It lets the students know that you are availble, paticularly during lab time. You are coming to the student, not making the student come to you. That way, a question that might seem trivial and not worth coming to you for will get asked. They don't have to breach the walls of your fortress (desk).
Glenn,
yes I agree that the movement around the room accomplishes all of this. It is such a great way of keeping the students & our students engaged in the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Moving around in the class room allows me to observe all the students, what they are doing and getting eye contact with individuals as approach them where they sit. It also gives me the opportunity to use silence when looking at a student to give them time to formulate questions. I also believe it keeps me on me alert as to how the students are doing.
Desks and lecturns create a barrier between the instructor and the student. Often students may feel intimidated by an instructor simply because of these barriers, epecially when an instructor is really tall or larger, it makes them even bigger and more intimidating.
Moving around the classroom also helps the instructor gauge student's understanding - for example, are their eyes glazing over. Interacting with the student makes the student feel engaged and it is not effective to interact with a student from behind a podium.
By locacting yourself in the entire classroom you help every stundent learn better.
I fully realize the importance of the instructor moving around, because it gives the students a bit of physical activity on which to focus through introducing some variety. Similarly, for the instructor himself, it can be an invigorating experience [there are occcasions when I have to dictate a Breeze session and therefore must sit in one place for two hours when I do it, and at times, I actuallly nearly fall asleep when talking!].
Interestingly enough, in the last week there was a fair burst of coverage in the news about the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, so sitting behind your desk not only means that you as an instructor are not getting the best use of the physical facilities, but also it can be bad for your health!
I do think there is one assumption being made in this question which needs some examination: that the classroom/lab is sufficiently open to allow floating. In most of the classroom/labs in which I teach, 360-degree access is impossible, and going between the rows of desks is nearly as bad, since there is only room behind the student desk for a chair, so you are disturbing the students considerably if you walk the lane. So I am restricted to a 'L' from the front and right-hand [from my viewpoint] of the class.
Your position will also vary somewhat with the media being used -- since I use a very large number of PowerPoint or projector demonstrations, I have to be conscious of where the screen is, and use a pointer to point the points out.
I teach classes in computer labs as program applications are part of the course. I find that moving around the room helps me see what activities are taking place during lab time. I can monitor misuse such as using social media and non tack specific activities and help students stay on task.
Darcey,
and we all fight the temptation to space off or do something else. The floating around the room is a great way to help everyone, including ourselves stay on top of the game.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It is important to move around the class room in order to check student progress and to refocus attention. It helps to maintain class structure and helps students to stay on task. It is also a way of engaging students individually.
Claiming the entire classroom as the educational territory by movement is key to not only keeping the class engaged and focused but also for letting them know that you see each and every student. This is not only good for building relationship and rapport but so many students claim to be taking notes on their computer and are not or are using cell phones way too much. Then later they are frustrated when they cannnot apply their knowledge in lab. When I see the majority of a class miss a key point then I know I have missed the delivery but when only the students texting or "taking notes" on their computer miss it then I know they were distracted by them. It is the policy of the school not to have cell phones in class so by moving around the class in a manner for teaching first but also allows me to see all that is going on - on a consistent basis sets the correct tone for learning.
I'm a floater. Every class, I sit and talk with each student in their area (not at my desk). This helps me see the choices they make in graphic design, and gives them one on one attention. I also feel it breaks down the teacher student barrier, and creates a more student mentor relationship.
Travis,
the movement really does serve multiple purposes as you have pointed out here. I find when I'm a little tired that if I start moving I instantly become more energized.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like to project energy. If I am moving around, it energizes the whole room. I also can keep students from being on their laptop computers or texting on their cell phones.
I think the answer has been answered many times already. What i think it helps is that when the lecturer moves around the classroom, students attention is more focused. We tend to lose attention if we stare at a static point.
Elizabeth,
I agree, this really is the basics from public speaking. Grab their attention & then keep it!
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As an instructor you need to capture the student’s attention as soon as possible. If they are not focused on you at the beginning then it is hard to try to capture their attention to the topic you are trying to convey. Moving around the classroom helps them focus on you right from the start and then you are able to discuss your points for the day. It brings attention to you as the instructor.
andrew,
all of these reasons are great reasons for moving around the room. The key is making sure that our movements are purposeful & not distracting to the students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think that moving around the class during lecture forces the student to stay ingaged with the information being given. Also it is easier to cut off side conversations between students. During lab time, I must continue to walk around all work stations to anwswer questions, help a student before they go too far off the assignment, and let students know they are doing great with the lab work.
