Informality and Humor in the classroom
I have a background in performance and am, by my nature, somewhat laid-back. I have a sense of humor that shows through in everything that I do (and can, on rare occasions, get me in trouble).
Thoughts from the discussion group on the use of humor in the classroom: does it help or hinder? Can public ridicule be an effective behavior/attitude modification technique? By being casual, do you enhance your accessibility or damage your credibility (or both)?
Using humor is essential to my style - teaching basic math can be so boring. I frame the story problems in funny situations, do unit conversions on monkeys per barrel and things like that. I find the adult student understands my sense of humor a lot more than my elementary students have.
Hi Philippe,
I am like you, as long as we are being productive and no one is upset with the fun, we can have fun all day long.
Patricia
Hi Carolyn,
Humor is healthy. Laughter should be a part of the learning process.
Patricia
I think humor is necessary in life and in the classroom! I am cautious because perceptions vary so much among individuals. During the first class period I tell students that I value respect highly, that I want them to confront me if I say or do something that they perceive as disrespectful to anyone, and that I prefer to be confronted directly but will address anonymous notes with the class.
I think that humor in the classroom is a excellent way to break up the day. I do not mind having fun as long as the work gets done. with Public ridicule you have to be careful you would not want to upset a student it could have a negative impact.
Hi Joe,
On Day 1 I start out very firm, but I do include fun. The students get my drift that we will have fun while learning, but I am not one to put up with foolishness.
Patricia
I have found that I have two way's to conduct my class in the beginning ,be rigid and stern and hope for the best or try and make my class somewhat informal and fun. I inform students that part of the reason I stayed at one shop for 22 years was not just because I made money there but also because while we made money we also had fun doing it. I tell them that for the better part of our lives we work to provide for those the things we need in our lives so what’s wrong with doing that and having fun at the same time. I put it to them that the choice is there’s as to how they wish to spend there three weeks in learning for there carriers and most of the time they choose the informal fun, way .after that’s decided I then explain as to the parameters we will continue just as we did in the shop such as conducting ourselves in a professional manner throughout the course .This usually works well for me .
Hi Mike,
Students feel important whenever they are being treated like an adult.
Patricia
I like that strategy. I work with young adults (Teens)and find that if i treat them with respect, like an adult, they respond. Humor and informality work great to break the ice and keep things lite while still have a learning enviroment.
Hi Craig,
Humor is encouraged in classes. Laughter is healthy!
Patricia
I think humor in the classroom is a very useful tool. As previously mentioned, it helps to relieve tension and shows the students we can have fun in the classroom. It also makes them more receptive to the course material if we can relate that material to humorous anecdotes from our own career as a technician.
Hi Joseph,
I am really good at judging my surroundings, but I am not talented enough to use humor freely. Some humor and too much humor turn students off.
Patricia
With humor, one has to understand his or her surroundings thoroughly before launching any type of questionable observation. This is called the mental filter. Not many have this talent, howverer; it is vital in the difference between litening a situation or causing an unfavorable reaction.
Hi Bob,
I am not the funniest person, therefore I shy away from jokes, but my students have fun in my class because of my loving personality and demeanor.
Patricia
Hi Jack,
All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. It is fine to have laughter in the classroom as long as you get back on track.
Patricia
I know this has been said before but humor in good taste and current events that are automotive related that are non controversial are great ways to bring a class to life on Monday mornings or during or after a long lecture. Knowing when to get back on track and control the conversation is all important also. Knowing the different Student personalities will help in the classroom if you are interacting with the Students in these non instructional situations.
I think humor is a great thing but believe there is a fine line as some can pull it off and others not so well and can be thought of as offensive to others. How you start out your first day should set the standard
Hi Kyle,
Great points made. We also need to make sure that we do not have too much humor so that the students will know that it is still a serous affair (learning).
Patricia
Hi Josh,
Wow, you get started early. Do you ever offer any type of caffeine drink? I like the idea of music/movies.
Patricia
