Lisa,
good question. I think you can overcome this in a couple of ways. One way is ask the class to keep the "stuff" tucked in so you can walk around. The other is to be more "subtle" & to just go ahead & walk up the aisles & then they see you struggling & eventually get the hint to keep the stuff tucked in.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
This is really good to consider. I find myself at the front of the room often, because back packs, etc are often in the isles. This reminds me that I need to be more aware in the class and have students move these items to maximize my effectiveness! How have others overcome physical obstacles in a close quarters classroom?
james,
in addition to all of the great reasons you stated, it also brings you into the student's sphere more effectively which helps break through barriers.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I take ownership of the classroom. By walking around or floating around the room I maintain the focus and interest of the students. Moreover, this is a useful way of refocusing students who may be taking amonst themselves.I find ambulating around the room occaisionally sitting on an empty desk enables to to make use of gestures to accentuate steps of learning.
Adrienne ,
it is very insightful to go to other classes & then use what we see there to ask ourselves what may be going on in our own classes.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I too have forgotten about distractions in the classroom (laptops, iPADs, cell phones)and after running through this module and discussion forum, I plan on moving around the classroom more. I remember walking into a colleagues lecture the other day and seeing a student "engaged" with her cell phone and not the lecturer.
I like to move about my classroom for several reasons. I feel like I can engage my students by capturing their attention with eye contact and a smile or friendly gesture while lecturing.
Moving around the classroom allows for a more visual of what is going on in the classroom. Students tend to pay more attention to you if they don't know what your next move is. Helps to keep the students attention and allows for me to know who is really engaged in the discussion and who isn't.
I agree. If you stand in one place the students loose interest. When you move around the room I believe the students pay more attention because they are focusing on what you are saying as you move. It also makes the students feel like you are engaging them instead of using an item like the podeum to be a brrier.
Zekrayat,
these are all great strategies that you mention that help to keep the students engaged & with you.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I agree. During lecture I like to stand and use hand gestures. I draw the attention towards myself and I find it difficult to do that while sitting behind a desk. As a student I remember it being difficult to interact to pay attention to the instructor while he/she sat behind a desk; I, as a student wasn’t included. When I see the student start to use their cell phones during class I mention that I feel “left out and I would like to be included†and I would also like for them to be a part of the lecture again. It works like a charm. The student feels welcome and invites me into their class room time.
Deginald,
yes, it helps keep the students' attention & can help you monitor for potential disruptions.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think it's important because you can constantly move the green zone, and have better control of the classroom environment.
I think it helps to keep the students engaged. It also helps me with my intellectual flow, so to speak. I am including all areas as a part of my instruction and not putting barriers between myself and my students.
I like to "move about" or "work the room" for several reasons. First, it shows the students that I am eager to engage them and interested/passionate about the subject being matter being taught which is hard to do sitting still behind a desk. Secondly, I can back away from the board or screen a bit and look at the class from the students' perspective- making sure that they are all comfortable, can see/read the board. Third, I can make sure the cell phones and texting are not being used to interupt the learning process!
Spring,
this is true & I also think it helps the students to sense that you are approachable & that they can ask you what they need to when they are not understanding the concepts.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I find moving around the classroom not only keeps the students engaged, but also myself as an instructor. I have made it a point to have key discussion points at various areas of my classroom, so with demonstration elements, some where group activity work can occur, etc. Then, pacing myself through the time we are working together becomes a fun mini race I have with myself. It is like hitting key check-in points in a race, and lets me know about where I am in the coverage of the topics for the day. The students find that the time flys in my classes because of this, and so I do not have the "everyone packing up to leave" issues, because they are surprised to find out our time together is done in class, and it is time for them to go. Often, I find they want more of this type of learning experience.
Tracy Chesney, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE
I specifically move around the classroom because it assists the students with understanding that I am present and helps them stay focused.
You tend to keep the "sleepers" awake because they know you will be coming around to their spot soon!
Well as we learned today, by moving around the classroom you keep attention on you and can monitor the classroom better, it also keeps students from being bored.
