Laughter is the best tool
Whenever I am teaching a course for the first time, I am honest with my students and let them know. I then follow it up by stating that we all have to start somewhere, and that they too, will soon be in the same situation. I've had nothing but positive responses from the students. Similarly, when I make a mistake, I laugh at myself first before the students have time to pounce on me. I find that being humble and honest has allowed me to be more relatable to the students, but has also earned me respect in the classroom time and time again.
I agree laughter is always good. Yes, I find being humble and honest is the best way to gain respect from your students. Allowing students to know we are all human and being able to laugh at yourself creates and relaxing and better learning environment for the students. Plus laughter burns calories.
Hi Sherry,
I never make it known to my students that it is the very first time for me teaching a class. I think this notification can open up a can of worms so to speak.
Patricia Scales
I do the same thing, if I have not taught a particular class, I let them know up front and we work things out together and there are days when laughter gets us through the rough spots
and let's face it, we always have some of those
Laughter is the best tool, I truly agree. sometimes within a course especially a course students are not thrilled about. I try to tell jokes to break the ice and use outside examples to assit in learning.
Hi Jami,
You are definitely on target. I have been teaching for over 23 years, and I still make mistakes. They are inevitable. I admit my mistakes, correct them, and move forward.
Patricia Scales
I laugh at myself all the time. I agree that we all make mistakes because we are human. I make fun of myself even after teaching for almost three years. It makes my class laugh and we get through it. If I dont know the answer to a question, I will admit I dont know, but that I will find out for them. And I always follow through and find the correct answer. If you act like you know and give a false answer, students will figure it out and call you on it.
Hi Richard,
I do this too, and the students get a kick out of it, and we move on.
Patricia Scales
If I make a mistake, I will jokingly try to pretend that I made the mistake on purpose by saying something like " i was checking to see if everyone was paying attention" This gets a laugh and shows that I am as human as they are. It seems to work and it lightens up the room a bit.
Hi Jessica,
I like this perspective, and it is fair enough. No one is perfect, but we all can give our very best.
Patricia Scales
I, too, find that students will respect you more if you can admit that you make mistakes and are not perfect. I ALWAYS make sure that my students understand that I do not expect perfection from them and they should not expect it from me. I do, however, expect 100% effort and that they can also expect that from me.
It's a fine line to walk, but it sounds like you are able to do it well. I, too, like to relate to my students in anyway possible. I find it easier to teach that way, especially when they feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their concerns.
