Fun
I have mentioned this before, but if they are having fun, they are learning and will stay. I believe in this, I see this work and for todays students it is very important
I know from personal observation that not everyone is enthusiast about playing games or participating in "fun". Betsy, how do you overcome this reticence and get everyone to engage and participate?
I believe it is the instructor's role to "initiate" the fun, and to let the students know that it is OK for the class to be fun! That being said, it will only remain fun if members of the class take the ball and run with it. It takes some of the tension out of difficult classes and helps the students relax which is important if they are in challenging classes
I agree 100%. I have found that when I employ games that align with the material the students seem to grasp the information and they are more relaxed. When I teach an accounting class, I sometimes will have students play the monoply game as this game encourages them to think financially and how to make prudent decisions when it comes to the market and economy. When I teach a Management class and we discuss the chapter of communication and making sure your team understands your communication I may utilize the games Taboo, or Buzzwords where the object of the game is for the student to communicate in various ways for their team members to understand. And afterward discuss how difficult it was for their team members to perhaps understand their meaning and in alignment with the chapter how each person can perfect their communication skills so that the delivery is understood. Also in the management class it discusses the management styles of male versus females and I have found a game where the female students have to guess the males answers and vice versa. These game techniques really add to the material discussed. The students all appreciate and comment on how well they were able to digest the material by using these light and refreshing techniques.
Julie, do the student chip in for the pizza? How many students participate in the potluck events by bringing something?
We have pizza party or potluck at the end of every module for students. It give them a chance to meet all faculty and staffs and also to let them know that we apprciate them and to keep up the good work.
Jeremy, are you suggesting that fun is measured by the level of enthusiasm in the classroom rather than the level of laughter?
Is the instructor the one solely responsible for "fun" in the classroom? Why is fun necessary for interaction?
Has it been successful, David? How do you measure its impact?
Thanks, Kim. You've done a fine job of defining "fun" and explaining its impact in the learning experience.
Richard, have do you define fun and why is it central to learning?
I totally agree. Make room on the ship.
Fun is a requirement in the classroom. Without it
there is little interaction.
I agree, if you as an instructor find a topic fun (enjoyable), it reinforces your passion for it and that comes across as a positive influence to the students.
I use this strategy in my class
It does seem that one of the most effective ways to get a student's attention is to offer food - free food.
When I observe instructors in the classroom, I look for instructors who are dynamic and fun in the classroom. When I am looking for fun, it is more than just playing games or telling jokes, it is creating an environment that is contagious for the student. When an instructor is passionate about the topic they are teaching, that passion is contagious. The same things happens with fun. When an instructor is having fun teaching the material, the students will have fun learning it. Of course, telling a fun story that relates to the topic makes the classroom time more enjoyable.
so true , if you don't make it fun they wont learn.
Students really appreciate having BBQ's or Pizza parties occasionally just to show them that we are thinking about them and appreciate them.
I try to do the same thing and it really seems to open up the class for discussion and activities.
