Get Your Students Hired
When you meet a class for the first time you may be a little nervous. I find that if you use your sense of humor it sort of breaks the ice.
I would agee.I feel that many instructors will always tell stories about their great achievements at work,as apposed to mistakes made in the field with a light humored twist on the story.
You may want to spell-check your posts as this will improve your professionalism as well as show that you are human.
I like to share some of the mishaps that have happen as a new graduate working in the field and sharing with them the funny scenerios and to show them that I am hunman and we make mistakes. but at the same it will work to help them not make the same mistakes when they too start working as professionals.
Hi Dan,
Humor is a very useful and timely teaching tool. By using humor at times the students can have a laugh, relax a bit and then move on to the next segment of the class. Helps to keep them focused.
Gary
Humor can break the ice, and let the students see that you are human. I often back up the humor with a clarification on what might have been funny, why, and some examples of why there might be a good lesson to learn, once everyone is comfortable and had a laugh.
Shaquandway,
I agree that teachers should integrate humor in the classroom, but in moderation. I know peers who are overly humorous. This behavior should be utilized appropriately (such as to break the ice as you suggested). Teachers face the risk of losing their credibility if the humor gets out of control.
ajames
Students also find that a sense of humor shows that the instructor is human. If a class believes the instructor is made of stone, it can send the class into a downward spiral. Even cheesy jokes can help relieve tension.
Hi Stephanie,
Good point about humor. I believe humor is an important teaching tool that can be used in many different situations. A laugh now and then can really spark up the class. A great source of humor are situations from the workplace. We all have experienced situations or made mistakes that we can share with our students to get our points across while laughing what we did. This type of humor really helps the students to retain the example and realize that learning can be fun.
Gary
I can appreciate concern with humor. I believe there are ways of having a sense of humor without being a stand up comedian in the classroom. Keeping a professional and organized demeanor is key but also seeing humor in situations and classroom discussions can make the environment much more inviting. This can be tricky, I agree.
After formally 9(announcing & writing on the board who you are), walk among the students desks and shake hands. Have them introduce themselves, why they are in the class. Ask what is an important work quality I should remember about them.
Ask & identify someone to monitor break times as a reminder. (I do forget to watch the clock at times).
Humor can be a dangerous thing. We aren't comedians and typically most professor's humor is lacking. What is funny to you tends to be cheesy to the students.
If you are teaching a class that has substance, then students will be interested in it! Sharing the value of your class will connect with them better then humor.
99.9% of students that laugh the first day are laughing at the professor - not with them. There is a difference.
Sit in the first day of class of a fellow professor's class - I think you'll be surprised to hear how 'funny' usually comes off as 'uncomfortable'.