Relevant humor
Adult learners and career-oriented students respond to the "reality" of humor. Whether using light sarcasm, irony, or spotlighting current idiocies found in real life, the students will relax and place credibility with the instructor. The actions or events spotlighted can be used as examples for teaching specific points being covered. In addition, students can share humorous happenings from their lives that shed a credible light on the subject being covered.
David,
I think this is great & helps them realize that they will make mistakes & hey, that's okay. We can learn from them & laugh at them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
David,
I think this is great & helps them realize that they will make mistakes & hey, that's okay. We can learn from them & laugh at them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I love sharing my "Stupid Times," too, Danella. I teach in a technical school, so I like to tell my students about the mistakes I made when I first started out in their chosen field. I always try to make these stories humorous so that the students are more likely to remember them. More than one successful graduate has told me that my stories helped him/her avoid making the same mistakes I made.
Joanne,
very true. I'm a firm believer in humor, but I've also seen times when it has turned into a stand up routine.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I agree and feel that this is a wondewrful technique to draw the students in and encourage their participation; however, it is very important to remain professional and to not allow any students who are looking for a distraction method to use this as an opportunity to promote their own agenda.
Wow, thanks for asking! I can't really tell the exact story here, and I keep the story "anonymous" in the class too, because it's about the principle. I would never want to embarrass anyone, because that's not professional. But the story concerns going out and really doing all the pertinent legwork and making the effort to get a job. How I took the time to contact the perspective employer personally and how my competitor just did a cursory scan of the internet. And consequently, I got the job. I think a lot of it is in my delivery. Young students respond to real-world examples. And the fact that it really happened that way to me helps tell it with real conviction. Does that help?
Hey John,
I would love to hear your anecdote. I want to bring more humor in my classroom. It happens once in a while, but not like other instructors I have observed. What is your secret?
I agree that humor and having fun in the classroom to a point help students become relaxed and create a more comfortable learning environment. Not to mention I have found class participation greatly increases.
I agree, having a good sense of humor in the classroom lowers the stress level and makes the students feel more comfortable.
I agree! I use humor in my classroom consistently. It allows for a more "relaxed", yet relevant educational environment. Humor helps to take the stress out of learning yet provides a "personal & interactive" approach to the recall of information surrounding the humorous subject matter. More likely to remember information surrounding a humorous event than a "stress-induced" event. I love helping students find humor in "everday events" and within themselves. Not every event is a crisis.
I love using humor in my classes. At times, when subject matter is dry and difficult - I find a little humor helps. Also, it "breaks the ice" and lets the students realize that we all have had "Stupid Times" that we can look back at and laugh.
I have found that using humor to set the tone of a class is very beneficial with the older students who may feel uncomfortable in a classroom full of young people. It engages them in the class and they become class leaders
I agree - I have learned that humor, whether direct or subtle, is one of the most effective tools for increasing student engagement. It takes planning and rehearsing to be effective and not come of as contrite or sarcastic. I have found that reviewing video of my teaching techniques has been one of the most effective ways to deliver humor and engage students.
A sense of humor is a gift, really, but it can be learned. I've learned it from my own mentors and teachers. There's a particular humorous anecdote that's part of every one of my lectures. It pertains to the preparation to getting a job. I believe that my humorous tone helps convey point more effectively.
