A motion indicating device used especially to monitor the movement of sheets of paper, which are moved via conveyor paths. A scanning device has a rotatably mounted scanning member, which lies on the scannable surfaces of the moving sheet of paper and is set into rotation by same, and which is provided with signal elements, which generate motion signals in a stationary electronic signal transmitter by their rotary movements. The scanning member is a ball (8) with uneven weight distribution or a hollow ball (81, 82). The ball is guided freely rotatably in a guide cage (7) and has at least one signal element. A signal transmitter is arranged on a side located diametrically opposite the contact point (19) of the ball (8) and is directed in this plane of rotation toward the ball (8).