Joking
When breaking the " ice" during the first class meeting, is it ok to tell jokes? If so, what are some of the jokes you tell?
Hi Andy,
I am sure your students really like this session. Learning more about their instructor especially since it is a criminal justice course has to be interesting. Good way to get their attention.
Gary
One Ice breaker I use is to tell the students about activities I did as a youth that are considered illegal. As a criminal justice instructor, I can then relate some of these activities to the course and the material that will be covered. I have found this to be a great ice breaker in my Introduction to CJ classes.
I think by bringing myself down to their level a little bit and assuring each student I am human as well, this method is an attention getter and always results in a few laughs.
Andy
Hi John,
You make a good point. I can't tell jokes at all. I do use a lot of humor in my classes and most of it revolves around things I have done or observed in the field. There is enough material to last a life time of teaching.
Gary
I agree that joking can be dangerous if you aren't good at telling jokes or forget to tell the best part of it. It is much easier to remember things in your own past and just be real with your students.
I feel the same, I beleive we shouls use some jokes and share with the class. We would like to show them that we are also human and that we went throught the same learning process as they do today.
Great comments guys. It is true that joking is a great technique to break an ice but it is also a dangerous one as you can break the barrier between being a professional instructor and move down to the level of a "pal." I always have this problem as my way to deal with being nervous is to joke. Most of the time, there are just too many jokes and when I catch myself, it is too late.
I used some brainteasers, such as a Rebus. I sure had their attention.
I also asked them to tell me a fun fact about themselves and then shared one about myself. This helped me bridge into their world, I then was able to use some of the weird facts and where the students had worked in the past in my illustrations when starting the class.
I am not good at telling jokes unless I am completely comfortable, so if they didn't laugh, I would have been crushed.
Good Advice, I liked the questions.
Juli O.
Hi Demetra,
I use a number of different ice breakers for my course but one that really helps the students to see how they are different and alike in life is when I do a moving demographic exercise. I have the students to stand up and move to the center of the room. I then ask a question and have the students move to where they fit based upon the question. This graphically shows the students how they are alike and different in many different ways.
The questions I ask are as follows.
1. Who went to a large high school (500 or more students)?
2 Who went to a small high school (50 students or less)?
3. Who is from a rural background?
4. Who is from a big city?
5. Who is the first born?
6. Who is the youngest child?
7. Who has worked in the field before?
8. Who likes to skateboard?
9. Who saw the (latest movie)?
10. Who is going to get an A in this course?
As you can see you can ask any questions the idea is that with each question the students move to a different group. Take a few minutes to let them get into their groups before you ask another question because you want them to see how the groups form themselves.
This is a lot of fun plus makes a point.
Questions about this let me know and I will be glad to respond.
Gary
there wan't a reply to what are good icebrekers to do on the first day? i also remember most being "sharing" and we all grumbled. i guess depending on your class size and time, you could do a mix/mingle where you break them up into groups of 3 they share with each other and then share one thing with the larger group?
Hi Cliff,
Thank you for sharing this example of how you were able to bring a bit of joy and humor into the life of a student going through grief. This is what the human connection in teaching is all about. Keep up the humor and generate a lot of smiles in your classes.
Gary
I agree regarding "jokes," and I too, like to make observations or relate previous professional experiences in an appropriately humorous way. Early in my teaching experience, my department Dean visited one of my classes, commenting afterward he was glad that I got a certain student to laugh that day because that student had lost a sibling just 3 days prior to that class.
Carolyn-
What are some examples of ice breaker activites you use? My memories of these activities as a student are somewhat negative and awkward and very rarely fun. Thanks!
Kara
In some of my evaluations, I have found that students like my stories of real events. It makes them remember things better. It also lets them know that the eventual result as an artist is not what is done the first time. It tells them about all the mistakes and the redoing of projects that made them successful, first tries aren't enough and you have to practice and make samples to get things right and not take yourself so seriously you can't discuss the messes that came first.
I'm very careful of "jokes" as perceptions and cultures can vary widely. However, my delivery of information and the way I tell anecdotes to illustrate a point are humorous. I love making my students laugh a couple of times in each lecture. It allows a break from the lecture and a chance for their brains to catch up to the information you've provided.
Avoid jokes. Try a cartoon that relates to the material/course.
Hi Joanne,
Well said. Real life is a lot more interesting and easy to relate to by students and when it is mixed with humor you are able to really capture their attention.
Gary
Humor always works for me. I'm not good at telling jokes either, but true life stories are probably more bizarre and funny than anything anyone could ever make up! In my profession as a nurse, one has to learn how to balance the serious side with a positive, humorous outlook.
Apryl,
I agree with your statement and think it relates to Gary's statement above about story-telling. Like Gary, I can tell funny but true stories and my students also refer to the information once they 'get it' after some practical experience.
Wendy
I enjoy being "silly" with my students at first by putting my funny experiences out there. I shouw them that I am human also but that also helps to relieve some of the nerves.
Hi Apryl,
Good connection between you and your students. Your stories from your career past are a great bridge between you and your students. Also helps them to build memories of time spent in your class.
Gary
