Movement in the class room
Moving around the class room helped me with eye contact and interaction with my students. The 2-3 second rule is a good one to make sure they were understanding the material. Moving about also helps with interaction with students, I felt they participated more and were asking questions.
I did not realize how important moving around the class is, I want to make all my students feel like they are part of the class. Ialso want them to feel like they can ask questions and comment.
I can not move around due to an injury so I lecture from a chair in the center of the room. i have found other ways to get their eyes and focus on me and it works great.
Over the years, i have learned that if you monitor what they are doing - they are more apt to work on what you ask them to. Lisa
Does the chair roll or is it fixed?
I would think if it rolls then you could still move around.
I constantly move around the classroom. It helps in keeping the students engaged. My students joke that I probably run a marathon by the end of class!
I agree with Melissa I use this 2-3 second rule and smile as I look directly into their eyes. The students know that I am trying to connect with them and as I move around the room I also quickly turn back around and catch them waiting to see who I will be asking to participate next! I also ask a lot of open-ended questions for classroom discussion and this helps them to be more engaged!
I agree the need for actively moving around the classroom is an excellent way to monitor the students. I notice I can see who is understanding the info, who may have a question they are not sure how to present, and it obviuosly works to keep the entire classroom engaged suring a lesson.
I have found also that movement throughout the class while lecturing is helpful for the students. Some of them are a little nervous about it at first, but after a little time it almost makes the classroom feel more like a lounge - and students are more likely to participate in discussion and ask questions.
