It depends on the individual instructor but I believe that the use of humor can be learned. It'll require some research to get the right materials and some practices so one can deliver the materials at the proper time and place.
It could be a good topic for in-service training so all participants can explore the idea, have their inputs and apply the technique as they see fit.
I like the "off the wall" quiz idea. How often do you do this? Do you use it as a basis for discussion in the class? Do any of your colleagues also use this technique?
Do you believe that the use of humor can be taught ... or learned? Is this a topic for in-service training?
I feel humor in the classroom is a very important tool to help students enlightening and relax after a very intense lecture on a difficult subject. I usually have them read a funny story or take a small "off the wall" type of quiz that will help them see the recently presented subject in a different light and in some way help enforce the main ideas of the subject.
Humor can definitely help in the classroom. However, just like a skilled stand-up comedian, timing and knowing your audience is key!!
Humor opens the door for students and makes them feel as though learning is fun!!!
That is truly a fine line. If the humor becomes to much then the respect is lost somewhat.
Walk softly in this area.What the majority of the class may find amussing may offend 1 student and cause them to remove them selves from a once productive learning enviroment.
I agree. I feel that students are more open to the information they are being presented with if they are having fun and enjoying themselves. Whereas if they are counting the minutes till the end of class they are less likely to retain the information, as well as reluctant to come to class for fear it's going to be a "drag"
If you are going to use humor in the classroom, by all means, please do so in a natural and appropriate way. I have found using this technique helps students feel at ease and helps them retain the information.
in a kitchen enviroment were strees and Anxiety is the rule of the day it very important to have a little humor so the students feel less stresed and more productive.
I totally agree that humor should be used in class if and when possible, but with caution not to create an unwelcomed situation.
I find myself using humor when appropriate. I agree that it can be an ice-breaker and the laughter(hopefully) can be a welcome break from a lecture on material that may, quite frankly, not be the most fascinating topic for some of the students. Also it is interesting to see who does not respond to humor that is generally well-received. Sometimes those students may be either disconnected or alienated or troubled.
I agree, humor can be a way of relating to the students, and make them feel at ease.
Agreed, Patrice. I don't think people are suggesting that class start with a monologue or reading jokes from Reader's Digest.
I think of humor as including the ability to smile when we make some basic mistake or oversight in the classroom.
I suspect many of us have had instructors who took themselves entirely too seriously. Somehow their classes always seemed to be so much longer.
Students appreciate appropriate self-deprecation. And sooner or later, most of us will need to be able to laugh at ourselves to overcome a mistake.
Although I do agree that humor has its place in the classroom, an instructor that is not compfortable or does not know how to humerously interject can be more of a turn off than anything else. If it comes naturally, then by all means humor can be helpful and effective in warming bonds with the students. However, if humor presents a struggle for the instructor to behave unnaturally, the instructor should rather focus on being sincere, real and honest.
humor in the classroom is both an ice breaker for those who are shy and a way of breaking the boredom as far as it has to do with content.
I agree we need to have humor without losing our respect.
I also try to keep the class material and interaction with the students on a "light note." I find with humor that it goes both ways towards forgiveness of an error. The students feel less pressure and if the instructor makes a mistake we all can laugh as we are all human.
Also using humor can help with remembering as I have those students who "forget" perform the "chicken dance" in class. They seldom go for a second round of dance moves, but the option is there and yes the instructor can also do the dance...
