Maintaining a sense of humor, while being professional in the classroom.
It is difficult to maintain a sense of humor sometimes in the classroom. How can this be accomplished in a professional manner.
Hi George,
Great idea, very nice way of breaking the monotony.
Patricia
I place humorous slides in my power point presentation, it accomplishes several objectives; 1) decompression for the students in a moment of comic relief,2) identifies break times,3) lightens the learning environment and 4) allows students an opportunity to review the presented information. Normally I'll choice a picture that is some how related to the topic and add a humorous antidote/ caption.
Hi Lorena,
Great way for students to learn about negative numbers. I am sure everyone gets it. Learing made fun is awesome!
Patricia
I try to add some humor in my algebra class. For instance, when we work with real world problems using integer numbers. I explain them using profit or loss of money in a company for few years, after we get the result if the value is negative, I tell them "close the business". Therefore, they understand the meaning of the integer numbers.
Hi Bernie,
Having a sense of humor in the classroom is good for all as long as it is not over killed. Laughter is good for everyone.
Patricia
Unfortunately, my favorite movie is Airplane, so I do have that type of humor. But I use it in class all the time by "testing" whether the students are listening, as well as a way to "reward" students for listening. It's great when I make a comment (after talking for maybe too long) and 3/4 of the student start laughing and the 1/4 are trying to figure out when they just missed. I never tell jokes, but will make comments like that.
Hi Ron,
Laughter is healthy for everyone!
Patricia
There is a balance between humor in the classroom and instructional information. One bit of humor if done so wisely can balance a thousand bits of information. There is humor in life.
Mistakes happen! Everyone makes them and the best way to avoid an uncomfortable situation is to laugh at yourself if you make a mistake in front of the class. People relax when you laugh at yourself and make the situation lighter. This also opens the lines of communication up further for students when they see you are fully human as well.
Hi Joseph,
Humor is a good thing! As educators, we have to know the appropriate time to use humor. Remember, all work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy.
Patricia
Being able to instruct and maintain a good sense of humor is important for both instructor and student, weather easing into a part of a lesson or building the instructor/student link. It is however, important for both instructor/student when to know when not to cross the line.
Using humor as an instrument is like picking up a guitar as you practice you get better and you learn how much is too much. I use humor as an ice breaker to make my quit one feel comfortable a join in on a topic, also to help my students remember things.
I think if humor is something that comes naturally to you, then it will reveal itself in your instructional methods whether you are concious of it or not. Sometimes jokes or puns can actually be helpful pneumonic devices.
I think the most important things to remember when interjecting humor into a lesson is to keep it professional so as not to offend anyone or tarnish the school's image, and make sure it's not the same old, worn out joke told every semester to the point that it sounds scripted and all the students have heard it before ever entering your class.
I try to incorporate some humor in my lecture. I teach night classes which last for 4 hours. A little appropriate levity helps keep the class focused. Also I find that when learning is taking place(whether in a classroom or a gym, I coach high school girls basketball also) it helps to break up long periods of learning with a little humor. Helps keep the classroom from becoming too stilted which interferes with the learning process and the give and take necessary for the learning process to be successful.
Diana,
This is difficult for me, most of the time I heard too much humor seems unprofessional. i do not know how can you maintain a sense of humor without becoming unprofessional, all I can think of is to limit the humor to a minimum. I love to bring humor in any conversation, so I hope I can find the balance of being humorous but still maintain professionalism.
Susan
Hi Diana,
I incorporate humor when it is applicable to the concept being taught. Too much humor can be damaging.
Patricia
