Sense of humor
Important point about being able to have a sense of humor when one makes a mistake and is called on it and also taking this opportunity to express the correction which can be an encouraging step for the students.
Hi Melinda,
Students will definitely respect you more if you own up to your mistakes and rectify them by finding out the correct information. No one likes people who never will admit to their mistakes.
Patricia
I love this, and try to implement this into every class. Admitting one's mistake and making every effort to correct and find a solution to the mistake is key to classroom respect.
I think it is very important to use humor as a way to show the class you have made a mistake. This allows the students to see a "human" side to a rigid instructor and models a behavior they can then use in their own experiences. We all make mistakes in and out of the classroom and humor can definitely ease the sting of admitting the mistakes and learning from them.
when students ask me questions i don't know the answers to, i invite them to look it up as well, and share their findings with the class.
Hi Mike,
We must let our students see that we are approachable and personable. Students feel more apt to communicate with you when they have sensed you are not always so up tight about everything.
Patricia
I think having a sense of humor as an instructor puts your students at ease about volunteering and sharing. If you are not afraid to make a mistake and they see your sense of humor. They might feel more comfortable and willing to engage in the discussion.
Hi Glenn,
It is never good to cover up when a mistake is made. As instructors, we are human, and we are bound to make mistakes. Learn from each mistake and move on.
Patricia
as long as we dont go into "cover up mode" when making a mistake, they will generally go with the flow and move on quickly, may have to take a little ribbing later on but take it in stride.
Hi Patricia,
I understand, we do get tired. I can always tell when it is time for our big breaks, spring, summer, Christmas, etc. I become mentally exhausted. I have to make myself stay focused.
Patricia
I also get brain mush at the end of the day. It is funny to the students but also shows them that I am human and teaching is a difficult job.
Having a sense of humor as an instructor and relating humorous situations to the learning experience will promote more conceptual retention by the student and will enhance the class session by providing a brief "relief valve" to the subject matter.
Hi Lisa,
Students really do respect us more when we admit to not knowing, but we will find out. No one knows everything and contrary to belief, students no that we do not know it all.
Patricia
I do the same thing :o) Tue and Thu are my long days (0700-1900 hrs). My 0800 hrs class gets the best of me while my 1400-1800hrs gets the leftovers. But I think this demonstrates that we are human too. Also, I am the first to admit if I do not know something. I reply with, “Good question, however I do not know the answer to that, but I will find out for you by next class. Please write it down for me.†I think the students respect me for that. LLS
Hi Jessica,
I taught day and evening classes two nights per week for 20 years. It took some getting use to. I always strived to give my evening students the same level of instructions I gave my day students. We are human, and we do get tired. We have to put our best foot forward in order to move forward.
Patricia
Hi Dennis,
It is fine to have an environment that is relaxed, but respect must be shown to and from both parties (instructor/students).
Patricia
Having a sense of humor can help keep the class envirenment loose and relaxed , you can also demonstrate that your not flawless but can correct your mistakes without creating tension in the class envirenment. the students will appreciate you more as a person and will probably achieve respect.
This is very true. Recently I had to teach both a day class and a night class on the same day. By the evening class my brain was mush and I would mispronounce words. I would shake my head make a funny noice (like I was rewinding a tape), correct my mistake and explain that my mind was only working partly that evening. It made the class feel a little releaved to see their instructor was human and made mistakes.
