movement and gesture
Based on my experience I realized that movement and gesture inside the classroom is a big deal in teaching. YES, I agree that you can catch the students attention and interest longer in the lecture by doing so. More so they will have a better understanding of your topic of the day,especially the difficult ones because they are more interested and focused listening to you. Have a good tone or well modulated voice and add your smile and eye contact to the students; all of them are important for student engagement.
Thanks, I learn a lot in this module.
Dr. Pastor
serena,
this is very true. My attitude toward the material & my approach to the subject really can make all the difference.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Being excited about your topic is vital. If the instructor appears to be "blah" about the subject, what do the students think the subject will be? I have taught some classes that are quite dry, but if I come in prepared, put a "pep in my step" and point out the importance of the material and why it is relevant then my student may be a bit more interested. If I can take dry material and apply it to day-to-day situations or real-life experiences then I can have a good learning experience.
Patricia,
very true. We need to be animated in our voices & bodies while lecturing; it helps keep me more interested too.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think that movement and gesture are a big part of an instructor and how she/he portrays herself/himself when doing lecture and other things. If you just stand there and do absolutely nothing except talk, do you think your students are really getting the material vs. when you move your body and have facial gestures when your speaking? No, they don't, they lose interest and become bored and don't care. If your moving around and letting them know that you are enjoying what you're doing, your going to keep their attention and they'll engage more by participating in discussion and put more effort into the class because it is now more interesting.
Daniel,
I agree that this can help reach a variety of learning styles.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I also think, that movement and gesture satisfies both the auditory and visual learner in their ability to analyze concepts, that might otherwise be difficult for one or the other. eye contact is also a good indicator to determine the students who are understanding the material from those who are having difficulty with the information.
Elinore,
the excitement & energy that we bring as instructors really is a vital part of our instruction.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Elinore,
the excitement & energy that we bring as instructors really is a vital part of our instruction.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I agree with both of you. I always enter my classroom with a smile (even on my bad days!) and my students feed off of it! I love bringing in a positive energy! I also float around my classroom. The students love it because I am not staying in one spot just lecturing. They believe I make the classroom come alive with my animation! Teaching is so much more than the words coming out of my mouth...they can see the knowledge and passion I have just by watching me! I love it!
Romeo,
great comments thank you. I think you bring out a great point & that is being animated & alive. I'm not indicating we have to be jumping around, but a "brightness" in voice, gesture & face will add much to our lectures.
Dr. Ryan Meers
