I find it important to move around the classroom, so I can engage with the students. By moving around I can see what notes are being taken and challenge students who are not paying attention. I can by making eye contact with students, see which students are having trouble with understanding the material by studying their body language. Therefore, I can asked questions and clarify points.
Kimberly ,
this is a great illustration of the value of movement, especially for a subject where we may not think of a lot of movement. It is important to help keep the students' attention & to make the whole classroom a collective unit.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have been teaching accounting for well over a decade and I find that students will remain alert to the topics and concepts of accounting as I move throughout the classroom. We all know the accounting can be very boring at times. I will ask questions, but not put students on the spot as I am moving throughout the classroom. I will ask the questions, wait about 5 seconds and if no responses then I will answer the question and give them examples. If I lectured from the front of the classroom and did not interact with the students the learning and teaching engagement would not be successful. My goal as a Professor is to engage students in every aspect of learning even throughout the lectures.
Thank you
Kim Riley
Jerome,
these really are helpful techniques in connecting with the students & helping them stay engaged in the content.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Moving around the classroom making eye contact with each student as you lecture, asking questions and seeking a group responce keeps all of the class involved and no one is left out of the discussion.
Moving around the classroom serves a few important functions. First, moving causes the students attention to me to go from passive to active, they have to pat attention to where I am to completely focus on what I'm saying. I can move or stop for emphasis, or avoid an area of the room until I want to make a specific point, so now they can fixate on the information. Secondly, troubled students like to feel secure in the knowledge that "they're up there and we're back here". If you can break that line and make them comfortable with the idea that the room is all unified in purpose, not only will they be less inclined to randomly surf and ignore you, but also feel comfortable asking questions about specific things on their screen. Moving around also keeps the instructor engaged. After teaching the same material ten or twenty times, it starts to feel less effective, and less critical to the program. As you move around, engaging and reading the room, new approaches and ideas will come, leading to a constantly evolving mindset and class environment.
We have always struggled with certain instructors wanting to teach from behind the desk. I find not only does this present a teritorial space but it also shows a lack of interest and portraits an image to the students of "I'm to busy for you". I would like suggestions on getting instructors to work the room not only in lecture time but also work time, even if the students don't appear to have questions.
Dave,
this is a great point & it is important that we move around the classroom in order to connect & monitor all of the students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Moving around the classroom helps me to establish my lecturing territory. I also helps me maintain eye contact with students who tend to spread out in the classroom.
Joseph,
this is a creative idea & we do know that the movement can help with retention of concepts & facts.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It does make the students pay more attention. I like to be very active when lecturing and putting examples through out the class. Sometimes I even make them get up and walk around the class with me. They are more attentive when not hiding behind a computer screen.
I like to move around, it helps me see all the students, who is paying attention and who isn't. These days they all have cell phones and its hard to keep them from using them in class. This way I can keep their attention on the presentation and not their phones.
charlene,
this is a great example of where the environment dictates our movement & we have to be aware of this.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As a clinical instructor, it is crucial to move around the clinic and help each and every student. Their success is dependent on you working with each one and demonstrating technique at every clinic session.
Catherine,
yes, this is a great reason to keep moving around the room & not get locked into one spot, especially in a larger room.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
By moving around the classroom, I remove any misconceptions that the room is divided into "my part" and "their part". It is all our classroom. Classroom etiquette applies in all areas, and learning is possible throughout the room.
I think it puts us all on the same team. The team devoted to learning. I believe it promotes acceptance and accessibility. It is beneficial in building an atmosphere of trust.
Janice,
this is a great arrangement & a nice bonus, especially for the hands on type of learning
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree that moving around the room is important to successful instruction in my class. I have the benefit of a rolling cart and a small rolling desk so I can set up displays and demos and move my instructional area throughout the classroom. Last week I brought in a 12 lead EKG machine for my EKG Theory class. I put the machine on the rolling cart and made several stops throughout the classroom with exercises to engage students. The students really enjoy the opportunity for hands on learning.
Moving around the classroom while instructing is important for a few reasons. First, the scope of instruction is wider, meaning students who sit in the back or in the corner will feel like they're not being ignored if the instructor moves to their area. Secondly, it limits discipline issues, such as distracting behaviors (talking, texting, snacking, etc.). Finally, it is important to keep students engaged, and it helps the instructor check whether the students are on task and engaged.
I think it is important to move around the class room because it changes the focus of the students. I've noticed that when I stay in the front of the room, students in the back can start feeling left out and may mentally drift away from the topic. I've been trying to move around the class more often. However, I write on the board a lot and this restricts my movements. I've been trying to have some of the students write on the board so I can move more.
