I really enjoy playing off of the students. I get a real idea of what interests them when we can open up the discussion in a light manner. This helps me modify my lectures to keep the intersts of the students.
Hi Allen:
Inserting a "change up" every 6-7 slides often adds a bit of levity to a presentation. It can help reingage students who may be drifting off. Humor does have a way of sneaking up on students and that can help assist the presentation or delivery resulting in inproved retention.
Regards, Barry
I like to add a cute or ridiculos picture to my power points, they remember the slide longer.
Hi Stephen:
Yeah, rapport and relationship, teacher to student, is an important ingredient to student succes. So,keeping things lively and light, allowing for some humor nad levity, being real , these things contribute to the building trust and mutual respect.
Regrads, Barry
Here, here. Humor is too often lost in a classroom and plays a real role in student comfort and rapport building. No, I am not talking about delivering a stream of one-liners and jokes, but I'll guarantee that students learn better and more without undue stress and when having a bit of fun along the way.
Hi Bendan:
Yes! You're saying dstudent will associate a positive experience with the information needed for retention. Sure. I think that happens in the classroom and for many lefe experiences as well.
Regards, Barry
If there is one way to generate a health response from your students, it's creating a humorous solution that correctly explains the question posed. When you make a specific example that elicits an emotional response (laughter/happiness) it will certainly enjoy increased retention by the student, due to the increased amount of neural connections they can make to access the information in their memory. They will both remember the answer as well as have a positive luster regarding the memory, possibly leading to increased interest in the subject!
Hi Stephanie:
Happy people laugh. When possible sharing good news with something humorous sometimes makes the information seem more humorous. I tell stories about my (many) mistakes over 40 years in healthcare, and student seem to enjoy that. I also try to precede every class with bit of news, cartoon, or stuff from the internet to create a more relaxed atmosphere for the rest of the period.
Regards, Barry
I find humor in class very important, especially when the topic is not necessarily fun. As I teach math, and have not yet figure out how to introduce a PP presentation during lectures, I used jokes to break down the level of difficulties
Hi Vince:
I like your post. Laughter is a graet way to keep things even paced, demonstrate a little levity which shows the teacher is human and can laugh at situations (or even his own mistakes). This helps personalize the relationship, student-to-teacher.
Regards, Barry
One of the BEST teachers I ever had was a professor for Organic Chemistry. He was great because he was able to make a hard subject fun.
Fun in the sense that, although he took the information seriously and was well versed in the information, he would often tell jokes (sometimes even making fun of himself) to relieve the class tension.
Hi Klaus:
Good point to Yesnia. This is a fun way to break up discussion oiented learning sessions.
Regards, Barry
Yesenia
I also use some humor in my class because it's mostly lecture and demo but because my class is only 1 hour and 45 minutes I have to be carefull not to get carried away.
Hi Yesenia:
Keeping your students interested by creating a light, fun atmosphere can only help create improved learning.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cindy:
One thing is true, when students feel comfortable and without as much stress in their lives they're better able to focus on their studies.
Regards, Barry
Hi Chris:
Good ideas. I also like to start off the class with a humorous cartoon, something from the internet, or something inspirational. It does set a positive tone.
Regards, Barry
I think laughter and fun is HUGE in teaching style.
I'm a big believer in incorporating laughter and humor in a class room. No one likes to have a teacher who is monotone and boring. I am very lucky that I have a way with making people laugh and in my class room humor plays a big role in the way I teach. Because my classes are 5-6 hours long, humor helps digest the material being taught and keeps people interested. However, there is a fine line. It is important to keep a balance because, as an instructor, one needs to maintain respect and professionalism.
