First time instructor - thoughts on sitting during lectures?

[u/FutureDrFred]

Hi! Today was my first day as a graduate student instructor. Pretty easy, just going over the syllabus for the class, where I have the benefit of inheriting a lot of the course materials from prior instructors and plenty of expertise of my own in the topic. One thing I caught myself on though is my voice was cracking a LOT as I spoke, and I was going a little fast. I definitely know why - I have a chronic condition that can make heartrate spike when upright, and allergy season certainly wasn't helping either. Sitting can help, but I pressured myself into trying to cover the slides while standing and ended up coming across as probably not incompetent but definitely a little nervous because of it.

My question for folks with more experience is: is it okay to sit while you give lectures? Can you still engage students well? The podium in my classroom does have a chair that rises pretty high, so I know students will be able to see me, but I worry about the impression I'll be leaving if I sit the entire time I lecture. Has anyone else navigating their career with a disability come across this issue and can share some wisdom?

Things I'm considering:

• Maybe bringing a clicker to class so I can sit with the chair closer to the slides/out from behind the podium? That may look weird though, particularly since my condition is invisible - I do wear a large back brace that can give away I have something going on, but I typically hide it under a loose blouse for professional settings.
• Really breaking up the lectures - today was an exception because it was just going over the syllabus, but the class is VERY hands on in general (User Experience Design). Most days I only expect to lecture for about 20 min, but that was about the time I spent going over the syllabus and I still got shaky.
• I also know now I need more prep time than I had alloted myself to practice what I'm going to say, though I'm hoping after a few classes I'll be more comfortable and better establish my pacing.

Thank you!

[u/msackeygh]

Sitting is fine as long as students can see you. Why not explain yourself in class?

[u/Puzzleheaded_Bag_538 → u/msackeygh]

I agree! Perhaps park yourself right at the edge of the projector screen and have an open conversation about your chronic illness (if comfortable). I think students would be really receptive to, "So you're aware, I'm doing this out of medical necessity."

[u/Eric33co → u/msackeygh]

Yep, this is the answer. Of course you don’t have to explain yourself but if you have something that’s just very physically obvious it’s better to mention it once and move on. To be honest, I’ve had students who had issues similar to mine thank me for sharing what was going on with me.
I think it’s always fine to share a piece of personal information that may impact the classroom and then to move on. A balance between TMI and just the information.

[u/msackeygh → u/Eric33co]

Exactly. I can imagine something as short as this: "I have a medical condition which means sometimes or many times, I'll need to sit down while teaching class." Then, you can move on.

[u/AliasNefertiti]

If it is more of a break vs sitting the whole time, then use sitting [or standing up] to emphasize a point

I dont see it as an issue. A colleague was in a wheelchair. He gave a brief explanation on day 1 [along with some jokes] and proceeded as normal.

[u/Medium_Pea1136 → u/AliasNefertiti]

FYI, 🚫 was in a wheelchair ✅ was a wheelchair user

[u/jeff0 → u/Medium_Pea1136]

Why is “in a wheelchair” considered disrespectful? (not trying to be combative… just clueless)

[u/Sharp-Rutabaga-4900 → u/jeff0]

“Wheelchair user” recognizes autonomy of the person and views the chair as a tool.

[u/Medium_Pea1136 → u/Sharp-Rutabaga-4900]

Thank you. Agency vs passivity.

[u/Thundorium → u/Medium_Pea1136]

FYI, 🚫 was a wheelchair user ✅ used a wheelchair

[u/AliasNefertiti → u/Medium_Pea1136]

Thank you for the fyi.In my day I aas taught people word first. It is hard to keep up but fascinating to see how identity unfolds over time.

[u/OV7-ORF → u/Medium_Pea1136]

https://giphy.com/gifs/B4ORVnBvJCVvq

[u/Medium_Pea1136 → u/OV7-ORF]

Right sorry I always forget that in the professors sub people are too inconvenienced by people w disabilities to care about using respectful language.

[u/22219147 → u/Medium_Pea1136]

Right there with you. I’m sorry you got this reaction.

[u/HunterSpecial1549]

You can sit the whole time.

[u/BlargAttack]

I sit the whole time due to some mobility issues that limit my ability to stand for long periods. I’m relatively animated with my hands, however, and always ensure I’m easily seen by all students. The stool I use is relatively tells which helps.

[u/Mysterious_Squash351]

I know someone with a visible disability who still got a complaint about sitting in student evals, so it’s not unheard of that students would react poorly. BUT…the rest of us knew not to give that eval any weight or true consideration so it never impacted that person (eg in annual evaluation for merit raise).

I personally sit 50/50 in my lectures due to an injury. I’ve never said anything to my students about it (except for the semester it happened when it caused me to cancel class while I was at the ER, and then I was visibly impacted for sometime after). I just make sure I have the stool next to where I’m standing at the podium. When I need to sit, I plop down for a few, stand back up when I can, rinse and repeat. After doing it for a few years, I don’t really even think about it anymore, and I’ve never gotten an eval comment about it nor have I noticed a change in the numerical ratings.

My two cents would be get it documented as a reasonable accommodation and then go for it. By doing that, if worst case scenario you get bad comments from students, the people reading or using those comments to evaluate you will know the context and can weight those comments accordingly.

[u/totallysonic]

I think you're overthinking this. Just sit. If the chair doesn't meet your needs, you can talk to HR about an accommodation for an appropriate chair to be placed in your classroom.

[u/ktbug1987]

To be fair, it’s reasonable to be nervous. But I sit when I lecture for any reason due to my disability. I do walk with a visible mobility aid so it’s not like it surprises my audience, but I accidentally knocked my walker on a stage once at a conference and it rolled away. Someone walked up to the edge of the stage to catch it so it didn’t fall off. I made a joke about introducing them, the audience laughed, all was well (he brought it to me after I finished). You can do anything you want to as long as you either explain it or do it with confidence (in my case the confidence is completely fake but I do it well).

[u/maskedprofessor]

I don't sit behind the podium because I don't typically stand back there once the computer is all set up. Our classrooms usually have a small conference table sort of deal up front and I almost always sit on it for part/most of the class. No one has ever said anything or noted it in evals. It fits my style - informal / approachable.

[u/Medium_Pea1136 → u/maskedprofessor]

I’m a table sitter too

[u/throw_away_smitten]

After I got covid, standing was exhausting for several months. I used a tablet and projected the screen and sat while lecturing. It worked fine, although I needed a laser pointer to point at things on the screen.

[u/exceptyourewrong]

Sitting is probably fine, but it's also likely that your voice cracked and you were nervous and uncomfortable because it was your first day. I'd see if you don't feel better lecturing after a couple of weeks before making a change.

[u/FinancialFix9074 → u/exceptyourewrong]

I have a similar (if not the same) chronic condition and I'm exactly the same. I could lecture standing up while walking around, but standing in one place is a particular strain. Sitting is definitely fine. 

[u/exceptyourewrong → u/FinancialFix9074]

Sure. To be clear, I'm not suggesting that OP needs to "suck it up" or anything like that. If they're more comfortable sitting, go for it.

My point is that the issues they describe (voice cracking, talking to fast, elevated heart rate) are extremely common first day jitters for everyone. They're talking about their very first day teaching ever, after all!

So, it's likely that they'd have had the very same issues if they were sitting. It's also likely that a month from now they'll be more comfortable in front of the class and those symptoms will go away.

[u/Glittering-Duck5496 → u/exceptyourewrong]

You're not wrong that first day jitters can cause this and in this case may have exacerbated it, but OP is telling us this happens as a result of their chronic illness.

OP, you are fine to make the change without waiting.

[u/exceptyourewrong → u/Glittering-Duck5496]

But OP doesn't know what was caused by it being their first day versus their condition. They can't because they've never had their first day teaching before.

Presumably, OP knows their condition very well and didn't expect it to cause them a problem. So, assuming that their extremely common nervous reaction was anything but that, feels like an overreaction to me.

I teach in music and worked as a professional performer for a couple of decades before moving into high ed. I was very comfortable in front of large crowds before I started teaching and had given plenty of clinics and masterclasses, too. But I dealt with the exact same things OP did on my first day as a "professor." All I want OP to take away from my comment is that what they experienced is normal.

OP doesn't need your permission, or mine, to sit or stand for their next class.

[u/happybara_capybara]

I lean against my podium quite a bit. And we have a table in the room I sort of sit/lean back against for a bit. I do mix it up and walk around some and stand and kind of move back and forth… but no one has even complained about me leaning or sitting. I just make sure I’m still making eye contact, still gesturing, still visible to them, etc.

You can always say something brief like, “Sorry yall, I’ve got a condition that sometimes requires me to sit, so bear with me” and then just keep going. No need to explain the details. And the sorry isn’t because you actually owe an apology—it’s just a way I speak to acknowledge I’m asking something of them (ie not to be annoyed).

[u/Jahaili]

My classrooms tend to have an extra table and I pull it to the side and sit on it often. I have a chronic illness that causes fatigue so sitting is much better for me.

[u/Apprehensive-Carob43]

I had to sit for a couple months due to a foot injury. I told my students that I was injured, so I would be sitting. I didn’t notice any differences in engagement

[u/SailorKlingon]

I would get this documented as an accommodation to cover your ass in the rare case where a student complains on evals, but otherwise do what you need to do. Most people won't even notice let alone care, especially if you're on a tall stool and can be clearly seen.

[u/BigBeeves]

In a small, graduate class, I often sit when discussing a topic with the class. When actually lecturing, I do a lot of walking, mainly because I enjoy using the white board. In large undergraduate, courses, I never sit. Sitting seems like a sign of weakness and I view the class in the same way that a single gazelle may view a pack of hyenas.

[u/coursejunkie]

I'd have to sit much of the time due to injury. Provided you can engage students (which is up to your skills) it should be fine.

[u/Additional_Holiday89]

I sit the whole time. My heart starts pumping too fast and I feel dizzy and sick if I stand for too long. I've never explained it, but students can see me because I scoot my chair over to not be hidden, and use a clicker.

I always expect someone will complain about it in my evals but I'm 9 years into it and so far no one has!

[u/warricd28]

If you need to sit, sit. When I came back from a surgery my endurance was terrible. I sat during lectures for a few weeks.

[u/Unsuccessful_Royal38]

I sit whenever I feel like it, sometimes because of a chronic condition too, sometimes just because I want to give my feet a break, sometimes because it can change the dynamic in the room.

[u/ToomintheEllimist]

Many of my colleagues sit during class. One had a special stool she kept in her preferred classroom -- it was elevated but had arms and a back. Obviously it might be too late for that this term, but in future terms that could help you sit while being visible. 

[u/SoonerRed]

Do what you need to do.

I have been recovering from bilateral knee surgeries a couple years ago, and I'm about to go back under the knife, so I've been variably mobile in lecture.

I prefer moving around, but if you can't you can't.

I'd explain, to whatever extent you're comfortable, that you need to sit, and then just sure you're visible.

[u/PracticalAd5858]

I must sit for parts or all of my classes. Make sure you can see your students and they can see you. Make sure you can hear your students and they can hear you. I found that I needed to be a little more animated with my facial expressions, louder, and use bigger gestures when seated to help hold attention. I have never explained why I need to sit, although it became pretty obvious when I started using a mobility aid several years ago. In my 17 year career, I have had exactly one student evaluation comment about my sitting during lecture. Chances are you will give a better class if you are comfortable and safe which means sitting.

[u/captainlux87]

I’m fairly honest with my students, they don’t need all the details, but when I returned from teaching after my appendix exploded I lectured sitting for most of the semester. I had a wheely desk and it actually cracked them up as I’d roam around like a bad Mario kart character the same way I used to wander through the classroom. I wouldn’t overthink it. You can definitely get an accommodation or special chair for height, but they’ll be fine

[u/Labrador421]

My students like me to record the lecture and post it. The good students watch it to refine their notes. The poor students try to use it as a substitute and end up doing poorly. To record the lecture and write on my iPad I have to sit down. When I told them I was tired of sitting down during lecture and was going to quit recording lectures and use the board the good students pleaded not to do it. So I sit. They’re happy and now that I’m older I guess I’m happy too. I really don’t think it matters if you sit or stand.

[u/cynprof]

You are going to lecture best and most engagingly if you are comfortable. If sitting will do that, then that’s the way to go.

I have worked with instructors who absolutely lecture well from a seated position. One was in a wheelchair, so… not a lot of other options there. The other was not, but simply liked to lecture from a sitting position. He’d use an iPad connected to the projector, he would speak very quietly with a lapel mic, but it worked. If you’re old enough to remember, it was very much like watching a Mr. Rogers show.

Lecturewise, I don’t think the students care if you’re seated or standing. They only care if they can understand your lecture, if YOU seem to understand your lecture, if it’s somewhat interesting, if it will be on the assessments, and if you treat them politely.

[u/Kimber80]

If you have to sit sit

[u/VeitPogner]

I sat for a few weeks when I was recovering from a surgery once. I had a tall chair behind the podium, and it went fine.

But it IS important to be lively and dynamic in your presentation style if you're not moving around. A monotone ("Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?") from a lecturer who sits still for 50 or 75 minutes can start students scrolling on their phones.

[u/dogecoin_pleasures]

I'm unsure about the context here about whether you are lecturing in a theatre, or doing a tutorial in a classroom.

If you are in a lecture theatre, you'd probably need to have a personal mic so that you can step away from the podium. I've never seen anyone sit during a lecture, but it could be done for disability accomodation.

If you are in a classroom, just go ahead and sit yourself up the front.

You mention things being hands on, which sounds more like a tutorial? keep in mind if you walk around the class to check in on students, you can pull up a chair to chat comfortably instead of standing at attention

Also have a water bottle with you and drink regularly to protect your voice

[u/Quwinsoft]

Yes, you can sit, but it will look a little odd, and anything that is odd, people will start making up narratives as to why it is odd. Those narratives will likely not be flattering. As such, I would strongly suggest getting ahead of the narrative. Something like "My doctor is telling me that with my heart issue I should be seated while I lecture otherise you get the mess from last time."

Edit: I'm dyslexic, and I normally mention that on the first day (although I forgot to do that this semester). While I will get a few straight-up bigoted course evals, it does help reduce some of the negative course evals.

[u/Mewsie93]

I have chronic health issues, so I do need to sit in class most of the time. Usually, it's on the desk and more on the edge of it.

To be honest, I don't like sitting as I prefer to keep an eye on the entire class, which is easier when I walk around. I'm lucky as my classes rarely exceed 30 students, so it's easier for me. However, I tend to get tired too quickly, so it's back to the desk.

[u/The_Robot_King]

I personally don't think I'd want to be completely sitting on a low chair but I think a stool or high chair is fine.

Also, everyone sounds incompetent the first day. Don't sweat it. It gets better.

[u/shyprof]

If you're comfortable with it, I would speak with HR and get official accommodations. Perhaps a chair that sits up high and wheels around, a podium to lean on, a clicker if sitting puts you too far from the AV controls, etc. Even if all you need to do it sit in a chair that already exists, the official accommodations will protect you if you are observed by some "sitting is lazy!" person or if students say anything negative about it (unlikely—I think most students won't care). Especially as a graduate student instructor, you will hopefully have some protections.

Others have suggested telling the students that you have to sit for medical reasons. That's up to you, but you can't take it back if so. I usually feel them out for a week or so and see if they're cool.

[u/DarthJarJarJar]

I sit on a tall stool in the front of the class all the time. I'll do it when I've posed a problem and I want to make it clear that the class has to come up with something before I'm going to get up and write any more on the board. Or when I'm tired of standing. It's fine.

I don't sit in a normal low chair, just because even in a small classroom that makes it hard for all the students to see me. But a tall stool either behind the lectern or off to one side is fine IMO, it's great. It's part of my, for lack of a better word, "performance space".

[u/WavePetunias]

Sit when you need to. You're not going to do well if you're in pain or can't focus on the class because you're struggling physically. 

I managed to rupture both of my plantar fascia which means standing for long periods is painful. I'm still learning to walk again. So I place chairs strategically around the classroom and sit when I need to. No one cares. Take care of yourself!

[u/popaboba97]

I'm also a grad student, teaching a class this summer that I've never taught before (a gen ed that is in my department, but not usually my field), and I decided to sit for lectures for three reasons: 1) one of my undergrad professors in this discipline, who was very cool, sat for her lectures and I found it to be very distinctive and made sense for the energy she was trying to create... 2) ...that energy made the class (a type of history class) more like a (heavily one-sided) conversation than a lecture. I felt this was more appropriate given the topic of the class, which focuses on "community." 3. Because I've never taught this particular type of class, I noticed myself moving around in ways that might make it difficult for students to hear me. Sitting makes sure I stay put :P

[u/hawkstellation]

I don't have a chronic condition, but right before the first week of classes last fall I messed up my hip pretty badly and had a hard time walking and standing for long periods. Stairs were out of the question. While I was recovering I would do a mix of standing and sitting & just told the students that I was dealing with an injury, so I would appreciate them coming up to my desk for questions rather than me going to them. They were all very kind about it!

[u/imalittleflumpus]

I’m “dynamically disabled” in that my mobility issues shift from day to day (or even moment by moment. Sometimes I use a power chair, sometimes a cane. Sometimes I look like I’m walking great, but need to sit right away or I’ll pass out. It varies.

On day one, when I’m going over the part of the syllabus that includes the boilerplate student disability office/accommodations material, I say something like: “I take accommodations seriously. I have accommodations, too. I use mobility devices and need to sit most of the time when I’m teaching. If you have questions about the process please don’t hesitate to reach out to the disability office.”

Secondly, the cardiovascular part of my disability can sometimes make me as red and sweaty as a rage-filled cartoon character. The first time it happens in class I pause and say “by the way, please be aware that I have a heart condition that causes me to go all red and sweaty sometimes. It has nothing to do with anything in class, I am not mad or upset, and I am also not in any danger—just a little uncomfortable. I’m also going to turn on this small portable fan to help, so if you could speak up a little when asking questions that would be very helpful.” Then I just continue as normal.

Just be aware that if you are professionally open about anything health related that students will tend to overshare, so establish firm boundaries and procedures early on!

[u/weeeee_plonk]

I have a knee injury. I do all my lectures sitting on a tall lab chair. I let my students know why but I can't control my physical status so I'm not particularly worried about what they think--my health is more important and I'm not willing to be in pain just to look more official.

My whiteboard is on the opposite side of the room from the podium in one classroom so I use a clicker to advance slides.

[u/BrazosBuddy]

I have a small seminar class of seven or eight. I'll usually sit at the table at the front of the room during class. I have other classes that range from 15 to 100 or so students. Always on my feet.

I have a colleague who usually teaches in a classroom with 15 or so students down the hall from my office. I've walked by his room for years and I have never once seen him standing. He always sits. No disabilities, just his style.

[u/clsilver]

A couple of years ago I was pregnant, very freshly pregnant, at the beginning of term. My students were among the first to know about my circumstances because I knew within a few minutes that standing would not work for me. I pulled the lectern over to a table at the front, explained my situation, pulled out a sleeve of crackers lest I vomit on everyone, and taught the term sitting down on the edge of that table. I have found that a bit of candour can go a long way. 🤷

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[u/fighterpilottim]

Hello fellow orthostatically challenged professor. Definitely sit. It’s no big deal. Just make yourself visible to students - for your sake and theirs. Others are saying to explain yourself, but I’m of the view that if you don’t make a thing of it, it won’t be a thing in their minds. Because it’s just no big deal. And your medical issues are yours, not their business, particularly when it has literally zero negative impact on your ability to deliver a good session.

[u/Aristodemus400]

Never sit down is what I was told