Comedy
I have a reputation that I project that the first days of kind of a by the book stern instructor. I like it that way - but I majorly lighten up after day 2 or 3. The fun thing is that Those students pass on to my future students " Chef Anderson is a tough instructor - keep your head down" Knowing full well that from day 2 or 3 on we have a lot of fun while learning the material. After that I try to poke fun at the materials by discussing cases and handling them in several ways, by the book, how a manager should handle it and then how I would handle it. This one usually get the most attention because my delivery is with some humor but handling the situation without damaging people doing the taks. Crack a joke, have the students do what I just said - it makes learning about the management of people which it a tough one in itself - fun because they see all sides of a situation and helps with a sense of humor as well.
Ah yes, connecting key learning points to modern media is always a positive. I use videos also as a way to help the students see that learning is an engaging process that reaches far beyond our classroom doors. And, they can find a learning opportunity anywhere.
James,
Your father had a very good perspective in how to work with people and keep them moving forward with production. It is the same with teaching so you are wise to follow his counsel.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
this is precisely the advice my father gave . he was a superintendent at a coal mine for 35 years . he always said you have to come on strong in the beginning because you surely cant do it late . I think this was important for him as coal miners are typically some pretty tough customers . dad came on strong early but after a few decades , those under his watch came to know him as boss / priest / mother / father / coach / referee / babysitter / mentor / so on and so forth. I believe I am well advised to emulate his (and yours) sequential approach .
Excellent advice!! You don't want the students to think the whole course is a joke, it's serious business. Humour always helps us through trying times and should be interjected at appropriate times, to lighten the mood in the room to enable learning by allowing the student to relax and breathe for a bit and continue the process.
Sue,
It is amazing how something like this can establish an environment that helps students to become engaged in the class. We need to remember this in our instructional planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Great idea. One of the toughest classes I took in college was always started with a song or video clip, which let people smile and get settled in before lecture.
Jennifer,
This is a great resource and videos are a great way to kick off a class or make a point. Students like it when they are used as they are a different delivery that captures their interest.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have been able to find both informative and funny videos on You Tube for use in my classes. I do start out my classes in a more stern tone and I find that the videos help break the ice and tension between us.
Video is always a good way to introduce some new concepts. It is especially helpful for the visual learns to catch their attention and spark their interest in the topic. thank you so much for sharing1
Theresa,
These are fun ways to capture the interest of students. That one is a great one and I enjoy it each time I see it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To lighten up the topic Write-off's in Accounting Principles I used a clip from an episode of Seinfeld were Kramer tried to explain to Seinfeld what a write-off was. Using the video lightened up the tension.
Guy,
Starting stern is advice I give all of my new instructors. As you know it is easier to lighten up than try to regain control of a class. When you start to lighten up you can introduce humor and activities that will get the students engaged and the class will stay on the right course for the duration.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
