Keeping student's enthusiasm
Instructor's humor about class topic, students' involvement in relating class topic with their life experiences and guiding them to succeed in class are most of the ingredients to student retention.
I like using humor in class, it can keep the group loose, however you need to keep it professional.
I agree. If students are studying a subject that they really want to do as a career they are already predisposed to having a good time. The subject is something they are likely good at and when we are good at something we like to do it. The instructor, generally, does not have to create a fun environment, they just have to maintain it.
I find that if I can get the students to laugh every now and then during class it really breaks the stress of the class...and also by letting them see that the things they are learning in the class room are the same things they will be doing out in the field really keeps their interest up on the subject....what I really love is when the opportunity comes up where I give a lecture one day and then the very next day out in lab the exact thing comes up...now that is showing the students what "real world" is all about.
