Floating...
As a culinary instructor I really appreciate the point about floating through the classroom. This is essential to meeting individual student needs as they have varying levels of skills throughout their time at culinary school.
Paul,
this is a great way to engage the students at multiple levels while also maintaining that presence throughout the room.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I purposely leave my sheet metal fittings all around my class room. As I talk about each one I will walk over to them pick them up and proceed to show them face to fitting letting each have time to see up close. Also I can see their reaction to each as well as getting eye contact, I like doing this the first days of my class to find out the comfort level of my presence.
I find moving around the classroom and having eye contact with each student to be crucial in keeping each student engaged - and prepared to answer a question when asked - especially in a highly populated classroom.
Nacole,
way to take action! And you are right that floating helps us be connected with students as well as be able to monitor what is going on with the technology.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
After reading about floating I realized our classrooms have not been set up in a way that enables floating, so since we are on break week I am going to rearrange the rooms so that we have more room between the tables, to enable floating.
Also...with students having their laptops in the classrooms now - I think this is a great way to make sure they are not messing around on Facebook and such during classtime.
I agree. Moving closer to a student allows them to ask questions in a more private way - especially if they are shy.
Kasey,
I agree, I highly believe in floating. And if nothing else, make sure you don't sit while you teach, I'm shocked at the number (& no apparent health reasons) who do.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I like floating in the classroom, it keeps the students on their toes. It's fun to watch the students take notes quicker when I am near them. I also like to look and see if the students are actually taking notes or if they are drawing pictures or playing hang man. I also can ensure that students are not falling asleep or texting. P
Floating is very important. I cannot believe there are instructors who do not float about the room. This is an essential in education. Floating brings so much to the table in terms of education, rapport, management, and respectability. As a technology instructor, floating does all that I have mentioned along with formative assessments. Every instructor should be floating if they hope to be effective in the slightest.
Nicole,
yes, definitely you can see the importance of this in your area.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Floating in a computer classroom is important for many reasons - especially to make sure students are on task and to make myself more accessible to answer questions they might have.
Brian,
it really is a great way to keep an eye on the students' progress & ability.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think floating around the class in any setting is an essential tool that all instructors need to utilize simply because it does allow you to become part of the learning environment that helps the students stay focused and on track. An instructor who is constantly floating around the classroom making eye contact really can conect with the students better and when you can do that the end result usually is very positive. I like to float because it helps me to stay focused and constantly being engaged with my students which helps us all learn but even more so it helps with keeping outside distractions limited. Thanks for your post.
