Step Away From the Podium: College Student Perceptions of Instructor Mobility and Proximity

Authors

Keywords:

faculty proximity, learner engagement, inclusivity, defronting

Abstract

Instructor mobility in the classroom, alongside proximity to students, may create a teaching and learning space that invites students to construct knowledge through interaction and relationship. A descriptive qualitative method explored the perceptions of college students who experienced mobile, untethered instructors in face-to-face classrooms. Findings included descriptions about teaching and classroom management methods that enhanced learner engagement supporting time on task, transformed college classrooms by promoting inclusivity and reducing hierarchies, and created meaningful student-instructor connections. These findings provide new evidence to support instructor mobility and proximity best practices in college classrooms, as well as recommendations for higher-education teaching and research.

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Author Biographies

  • Randall J. King, George Fox University

    College of Education, Associate Professor of Education

  • Lorretta Krautscheid, George Fox University

    College of Nursing, Professor of Nursing

  • Amanda Robert, George Fox University

    Biology & Biochemistry, Assistant Professor of Biology

  • Rose Hewitt, George Fox University

    College of Nursing, Student Researcher

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Published

2026-09-25

Data Availability Statement

Data is unavailable

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How to Cite

Step Away From the Podium: College Student Perceptions of Instructor Mobility and Proximity. (2026). Journal on Excellence in College Teaching. https://celt.miamioh.edu/index.php/JECT/article/view/1358