Using Humor
I have found through the course of 25 years of teaching that if I make an error in a response or in my presentation, students are going to catch me any way, so why not own up to it and make light of the fact that I was "just testing" them to see if they are paying attention, which I do quite frequently to "break the ice" or simply lighten the mood of seriousness about dangling participles--they are difficult at best and a lighthearted approach helps relieve student tension.
Hi Yvonne,
A good laugh is good for all. What a great way to break the ice through humor.
Patricia Scales
I totally agree that humor helps alot of situations, plus if you can laugh at yourself students tend to see you as more human.
Hi Kevin,
Laughter is good for everyone! Sometimes all students need to be reenergized, try humor.
Patricia
Humor is a good way to keep the class moving and to "wake up" daydreaming students.
Hi Lucille,
Humor is great way to break the ice!
Patricia
I have that same approach when I make a mistake. When I say "I was just testing you to see if you would catch me" they usually say "Right..." Then I offer to sell them some slightly damp bottom land in LA. I also have asked in my math classes who got 12 for the answer. They will look like deer in headlights until I laugh and say "Good because that is the wrong answer, now what did you get?".
Another way I sometimes relax a class is to explain my name. I am The Dragonlady so in my best storyteller mode I will tell the story of how no one knows what a dragon looks like and why I am the Dragonlady. Even though they are adults they listen attentively to my little tale and there are smiles all around when I finish.
Hi Lisa,
I concur! As long as we live we will make mistakes. Accept them and move on.
Patricia
Hi Sandra,
You are right, we all do make mistakes! It does give the students an opportunity to see that we are far from perfect. We accept responsibility, we learn from the mistake, and move on. You can laugh if you'd like to.
Paricia
I always incorporate humor into every class. When I make a mistake, I laugh at myself. It shows that as instructors, we are human and we also make mistakes, and that it is okay to do so. I also tell my students the mistakes I have made during my time in the clinical field and how I learned from those mistakes.
I agree. My students are more comfortable in my classes as I tend to keep things light hearted. When I admit mistakes and we learn from them,then the students realize mistakes are a part of learning and they aren't as hard on themselves.
Hi Lori,
I concur! I let my students know, "Good Catch." It serves as a great confidence booster. It shows students we are not perfect either.
Patricia
I agree with this strategy whole-heartedly. I find that by using humor about my own mistakes helps the students understand that no one is infallible and mistakes do happen to occur-just "own up to them", learn from them and get on with it- it is NOT the end of the world. Many times I praise the students for "catching" my errors and being assertive/confident enough to bring them to my attention.
Hi Karen,
I hear you! I can tell you enjoy life! I like the idea about the cartoons and jokes. I am sure these things have eased a lot of tension with students.
Patricia
I often begin with class with a short, humorus video clip. It may have nothing directly to do with the subject, but I just feel like we need more levity in our lives. I never give a handout that doesn't have a cartoon or a joke on it somewhere.
Hi Tim,
Laughter is a good way to change the atmosphere. Everyone enjoys laughter. Students really do feel more at ease whenever they can laugh every now and then.
Patricia
I tend to have classes that are pretty young. I find that by injecting humor early on in the class they are more relaxed with me and more open to learning the material.
Hi Rickey,
We have to be able to sell our students on coming back each day. Humor is great for all!
Patricia
Humor relaxes the student and the instructor. It makes dry, boring material more interesting,tends to make shy students participate and hopefully keeps us looking forward to the next class.
Hi Lydia,
Mistakes are inevitable. We all make them, even instructors, accept them, learn from them, and keep it moving.
Patricia
