Funny you should ask!
When I read the heading of the topic I thought of trying to create something in a petrie dish.
Then I realized that is exactly what we do. Take a staff of people and try to create a mixture that will do some good with out destroying itself. One wrong ingedient and the whole project could be destroyed.
The creator has to deside to keep the ingredient in the mix and let time maybe create a good mixture or does it have to be neutrilized soon.
Many important discoveries have come about by accident so the ansewer may be to wait and hope all is well.
We preach to our students, get a job, learn as much as you can, be a professional, and if at the end of the day you did not find occasions to smile, don't leave the profession, look for a different job. We all need to laugh,it does not mean we are not professional, it means we are human.
Making an assignment fun is helpful. Showing a student that you care about them will, also, prove helpful. Some students will put in the effort or extra effort to earn the approval of someone who does care.
Sheila,
This recipe is a great one for faculty members. Thanks for sharing it.
I operate on the premise that students learn when they laugh. There is research that backs this up. Folks have found that a memory tied to a strong emotion in more readily available. laughter creates a positive emotion that facilitates learning.
Never heard the term, "edutaining". But, isn't that exactly what we do as instructors? Considering that the attention span of the average adult human is less than 2 minutes, we have to keep our students entertained. I've often heard that the recipe for effective teaching is "1 part Science, 2 parts Intelligent Heart, and 3 parts stand-up Comedian".
. . . Comments ? ? ?
Thanks, Shelia
Good points, Sandra. If we do not make it fun, our students will look elsewhere. Fun and learning are not mutually exclusive.
Agreed.
I've made it a habit to respond to my on-line student's questions regarding assignment details with a "Have fun!" above my signature.
Just a simple reminder to 'enjoy' the learning process and and look forward to the opportunity of enhancing thier skills. It should be fun!
I have the same thoughts. alot of students get discouraged when something doesn't work right. i try to laugh it off and tell them its just a game and they have unlimited lives to figure it out.
I think expressing fun in both their education and in their future career choice is important. Sometime sharing stories of fun events at the work place helps make them feel that working for living will not be all that bad. Letting them know that there will be social events, both causual and formal that they can attend will help in chosing a career path.
Kathleen, I really enjoyed your response and it has me thinking about my courses. I try to make them fun already but it is just so well put.Of course one of the many things to come from this is a better learning experiance for them. If they are happy and learning it makes our job much more enjoyable as well.
This is a refreshing post, Kathleen. If something is not enjoyable, it is unlikely students will do it often or put much effort into it. Helping students to find ways make things a game keeps the class "edutaining." Thanks!
I always tell my students about how I subscribe to the "Mary Poppins" school of thought when it comes to work...
"In every job that must be done there is some element of fun. Find the fun and the job's a game!"
I spend effort with each student, trying to help them find what aspect of fun there is in each assignment, so it is a more pleasurable and fruitful experience.
