Many instructors are uncertain just where to position themselves in the classroom. The reasons for this concern can be many. Some instructors are extremely nervous because they are just starting out as instructors so standing in front of a group of students is very difficult for them. Others have the universal fear of being in front of people no matter how long they have taught. So instructors want to roam around the classroom, stand in the back, sit behind a desk, hang onto a podium, or any combination of the above.
The short answer to the question about instructor positioning is to decide what works for you. You can look at the kind of course you are teaching and how comfortable are you with the instructional setting. If you are teaching a lab course then you will need to move around the lab and work with individual or small student groups. If the class is set up for a lecture format then you will need to find your comfort level somewhere in room. You may want to sit down while lecturing, though I would caution you about doing this. When you sit down behind a desk you are sending a variety of signals to your students. One, is you have the desk between you and them and that creates a barrier or gap that can mentally push them away from you. Also, you should use your body position as a tool. For example, you can stand up and give a lecture and then sit down during the discussion. What you have signaled to the students is that they need to look at you and take in the information while you are talking while standing. When you sit down you have signaled that now we are ready to talk about what we have just covered. It is in a sense a form of signaling that the students will soon get used to. When standing I am the instructor sharing content and when I am sitting or leaning on the desk front we are in discussion mode.
If you are showing PowerPoint slides make sure you are out of the way so every student has a clear view of the screen. Generally standing off to one side of the room is the best way to clear the students' line of sight to the screen. When giving a lecture standing behind a podium in front of the room is a comfortable way of seeing all of the students while having something upon which you can place your notes. The podium can also be of support to you if you are nervous as you will have something to put your hand onto but you won't be hiding behind a big barrier like the desk.
Watch your students and see that they can follow you with their eyes throughout the classroom or lab. This will give you an idea of where your range of movement can be. By moving around the classroom or lab you are within their general space and that is important because this way they see that you are trying to "read" their response by moving close to them. This form of movement also helps to reduce any distractions that might be occurring in the more remote parts of the classroom or lab. In other words "own the classroom". Don't let any part of the classroom become off limits to your movement because if you do the students will pick up on that and try to position themselves in these areas so you won't call on them or won't be able to see what they are doing.
Classroom positioning is very important in maintaining a positive learning environment. Make sure to find your positions and move to them throughout the class sessions so you will be able to take in all that is occurring in your classroom or lab. This way there will be less distractions and more learning that is occurring in your classroom.
