Circulate around classroom
I like to circulate around the classroom during lecture. It allows me to reach areas where students may be engaging in cell phone or internet activity. If I consistently move around the room, students will be comfortable and more alert during instruction. They also feel encouraged to ask questions when I am in close proximity.
Eric,
yes, this really is a case of embracing the technology that will free you from the podium.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
You need a wireless mouse! Their range will allow you to control your powerpoint slideshow from anywhere in the classroom, and most of them have a built in laser pointer so you can highlight certain words or pictures in your slide from 30 feet away if need be.
Courtney,
and by placing ourselves into proximity to them it helps them to be able to communicate to us if they are falling a little behind.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I find that during lectures (I utilize PowerPoint) I am tied to the front of the classroom a bit because I must manually skip to the next slide. Based on what I am learning here and that I have a very large class, I should like to take a little more time between slides allowing myself the opportunity to roam toward the back of the classroom and between the rows of students. I think this may reduce the chatter a bit as well as engage my students that are a little talkative in class. I am glad that I am taking this module. I am getting some valuable ideas and examining my teaching style a little closer. It's good.
It also helps me ensure that the students are able to keep up and allows me to better pace my lecture. Since I teach students that primarily visual/kinesthetic learners, it's important for me to ensure they are learning while I'm lecturing.
I use the movement to keep up on the differant types of notetaking, some like to highlight in their books, some like writing their own notes.
When students return to the college setting, they way that they use to take notes is not what is working for them. Within a quiz or two I can help them study smart and not hard. Each one learns differently, but what they "think" works for them is not always they best way for them. So as I move around they class I can watch for their learning styles
Raymond,
these are all great reasons for the movement. If possible I like to make it so I have to move between the lectern/ppt location & a dry erase board & utilize both for notes. This way the students really have to follow the movement.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I use the same method in my class structure. This also helps with the communication with all my students and allows me to create interactive tasks to reinforce our discussions.
Moving around my classroom keeps the students more awake and alert during parts of the lecture that drag on. Also it gives me a chance to connect with each student when I make eye contact at a closer range. Another good plus to it in todays day and age is AI can watch for cell phone activity that may be distracting to the student.
I have watched other instructors that move around and found them still to be boring and hard to follow. My students tend to follow my movement because I use alot of body language while I lecture. This seems to entertain them to the point where if they dont watch me they may miss something.
Nancy,
the set up you have sounds very conducive to movement as well as to engaging the class. You are right that it is important to engage all students both for discussion & management.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have the desks set up in groups of six. This allows me to move around the classroom and be able to make eye contact with every student. I also use nonverbal contact to be sure every student is aware I know they are part of the class. I want my students to know I am aware of them. This helps with classroom discussions so I know they are all engaged. I don't like to stay in front of the class and lecture a group, I really enjoy the class when I know they are all connected and envolved.
Fatemeh,
yes the movement helps students stay engaged & also helps keep them accountable to pay attention.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It shows that I care about all the srudents by trying to move around and showing interest in them all no matter where they are sitting. Those in tha back are just as important as those in the front.
