I find it helps me to better engage the students--particularly the ones hiding on the back row. I can also look at their work and/or notes and assess how well they are absorbing the material.
I think that it is very important for an instructor to move about the room and the lab. It not only lets the instructor know what the students are doing but also lets the students know that the instructor is taking control by watching, listening, etc.. I move around constantly in my room and lab and my students are much more attentive to me because of it. This way I can see if they are struggling on something and help them or they can catch me as I go by and ask me questions or for help without being embarrassed.
I find that I talk to the right side of the room. So I need to move around so that I talk to all the students and can see their computer screens. It help keep the students on task if I am moving around the room because they don't know when I will be looking at their monitors.
lets the students know that you are there to help
I think it makes the students feel more a part of the whole. It also helps me to get to know my students better.
Even better than just getting eye contact is standing right near a student while they are providing input or answering a question. They realize that I value them and their thoughts even more than hearing them from 'afar', plus it brings the attention of the other students to that particular comment even more. Another reason students pay better attention if you move around the room a lot is that they are interested to see what the instructor does next- they are not bored by the predictability of class.
To remain in one area of a classroom is unexceptable to me. An Instructor needs to be moving around the lab and classroom @ all times. This shows students you have positive energy and if you are making your rounds, a student is more likely to stop you as you come by and ask qeustions or ask for help some help etc. It also keeps everyone engaged
It is nice to be "on stage", but to get the maximum effect, you need to move up and down the aisles...Entertainers have known that for years.
I am lucky to have many projects dispersed throughout the room, so I am always on the move.
To make yourself available to all the students if assistance is needed. It also helps you to be able to evaluate the students skills w/ hands on labs.
I like to make sure they know that I can be everywhere, so that feel like they need to keep their cell phones and such off.
I also find out what direction the student is heading.Gives me a chance to head off problems,and to keep students on there toes.
I am staking out my territory. If the student claims the classroom space they will feel comfortable to play with cell phones and things that wiil distract from the learning.
Ken ,
yes that mobility in the classroom really does help to engage all students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Anton,
yes the movement around the room is important for many reasons & really does, as you point out, provide several benefits.
Dr. Ryan Meers
To claim the instructional space. I like to move around the classroom so all the students have a front row seat.
I feel that by walking around you can more students involved in the class plus this lets you see who is paying attention and they see that you are watching them.
Well I believe this works for several reasons.
One of those reasons being a constant state change.
Keep the students engaged, watch who is following you around the room or not as well. This helps me to call on students when looking for a reply to a question asked.
I also believe this works effectively for using training aides or motivational tools during a lecture.
It is also a good way to see who is engaged in your lecture and taking notes and such to be successfull or who you may have to give extra attention with their engagement of the lesson.
Jana,
the movement around the classroom is a great tool to use to keep students engaged.
Dr. Ryan Meers
moving around in the class room enables one to relate to all the students and connect with them and also helps the students to maintain discipline and take lecturer seriously
In moving around the classroom, the instructor is eliminating the environmental boundry between her and the student. Movement helps to redirect the student's thought process. Through movement, the instructor also manages the classroom if students are not focused on classroom participation (side bars, surfing the internet, etc)
