Using humor to enforce deadlines
I like to send students who miss deadlines humorous "threatening" emails reminding them to get their work turned or that they will face some wildly improbable but unpleasant consequence as a result. Frequent mention of specially trained ninjas, flying monkeys or the Inquisition (because nobody expects the Inquisition) is usually sufficient to get their attention (or at least a laugh or two).
Hi Crystal,
I fully understand. I simply use a contagious touch, a beautiful smile.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
I am not a joke teller either. Also, I am afraid that some students might be affended by some jokes in some way, so I tend to stay away from the jokes.
Crystal
Hi Paul,
I am not a joke teller because most of the time when a joke is told to me, it has to be explained. Some people are just real slow when it comes to getting jokes.
Patricia
That's a bummer, nothing I hate more than explaining a joke. Oh well I guess it's about the audience.
Hi Paul,
If they don't get the humor and it does not apply to the coursework, I simply move forward. If the humor does apply to the course work, and they do not get it, I explain.
Patricia
That's an interesting approach. I like using humor in the class but have found some students feel isolated because they "don't get it". What do you do with the ones that "don't get it"?
