have fun
i like to have fun. the students like to have fun. they can learn and have fun at the same time, class's don't have to be so boring. i play music when they come in to class, this gets them pumped up, ( there's nothing wronge with some old school pantera). and who said you have to stay in the class todo reviews? take them out side, change the scenerey. the time will fly by, and the boredum won't set in..
Thanks, John. Research from The Pacific Institute has found that people remember more detail when the memory is linked to a strong emotion. Laughter and having fun in class create these types of emotions and thus klead to more effective learning.
I like to have fun too. By creating a fun learning environment the students retain more for a longer period of time. Have fun & get the students involved. J.P.
i like having fun myself. I think if we can come down to there level every now and then and join in on the fun they seem to absorb material at hand a little better
Ray,
It is great that you recognize that we are in the "edutainment" business. The great thing about being a teacher is that we largely get to decide what type of day we will have by the energy, planning and fun we put into our lessons.
If you are not having fun how will they?
You are correct, Scott. Making learning fun is the way to go. Research shows that things linked to strong emotions, like those experienced with laughter, are more easily remembered. The more your students laugh, the more they will learn.
Edutainment, That's a good word. I think having fun in class has to happen to some degree. Of course for the students, but also for the instructors. If we have fun, I think it reflects back.
Joseph,
Thanks for this post. A friend of mine coined the term "edutainment" to describe what goes on in the classrooms of successful career colleges.
Studies have shown that recall is strongest when an experience is tied to a strong emothion. Laughter and joy are strong emotions. When we link them to learning, our students will do better.
What are one or two things you do to make your class fun?
I couldn't agree more. The most memorable courses I've had over the years where with instructors that maintained a level of fun in the class. I try to bring this same idea to my class. The last thing I want to here is that students dread my class.
Steven,
It sounds like your class would be pretty interesting. I usually enjoyed classes taught by folks who were a little crazy. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that the students gained the knowledge, skills and attitudes we want them to internalize.
I also like to have fun in class. It is entirely possible to be just a little crazier than the students, gain some respect and slip in learning at the same. It takes practice to balance all three but...it can be done.
Jeffrey,
Thank you for this post. Some of my most memorable and effective instructors were the ones who were "just a little different," in a positive way. We have to be both educators and entertainers to be effective in the classroom.
We have to provide excellent "edutainment" every day. It sounds like you do that. Thanks!
I really enjoy teaching because it allows me to be an entertainer. I am an overgrown kid who refuses to grow up. I add humor and crazy antics to every aspect of my class. The studnts really seem to enjoy it. Every now and then you will have the student who is way too serious and doesn't enjoy the show as much as others do, but they still seem to learn from the experience. You must keep certain limits in mind when you teach this way or you may find your self out on a limb. You also need to allow the students time to be creative as well so that the event is not just centered on you. I refer to this as creative freedom and there should be some allowed within certain limits or you may run into problems. Its kind of like when you milk the cow and allow the milk to sit, the cream will float to the top, but remember that cream is not the only thing that floats!
I agree. It's easier to learn in a fun environment. School is such a chore. Why not have fun with it too? I teach online, so I can send them outside - which is a great idea, but I do things like field trips online. It is so much more fun than the standard boring lecture. Great idea!
I agree with Joe. Mixing it up a bit can make the day go by faster and the students enjoy not staring at the same walls all day.
Henry,
Great Post. Fun and entertainment will help in learning and engagement.
Todd,
This helps show students that we are human, we have made mistakes, and that we learned from them.
I couldn't agree more with Joe. I have sat in some classes that made me want to sleep til it was over. A fun class makes the students stay engaged and want to go to class everyday, and what do you know, they learn something at the same time. Old school Pantera will definately get the blod flowing, good call.
Hi Joe,
Congrats on the baby. I agree with you on having fun while teaching. I do believe that it also creates a bond between student and instructors if they feel you are accessible and just as human as they are, and don't feel that you are above it all. Chuck
