Give them a good laugh
Having a great sense of humor always revitalizes the class and promotes discussions. The first day I tell all the students. No matter how bad your day is, I will make sure you when you leave you will have a smile and a new outlook for that day. We all have great stories that relate to our career. Tell them. It shows the trials that they will face and hopefully be ready for them.
Hi Anthony,
You hit on a key ingredient for being a successful instructor and that is a sense of humor. By being able to laugh at things that occur in class and helping have a smile on their face the class will go better and the students will be more involved in the learning process.
Gary
Laughter is always good medicine especially to cure a class that may have various 'blues'. One way to go about this includes creating a laugh for students at one's own expense. In most classes I share a story about my first big career blooper on the job. When I first begin the story students are unaware that its about me, and have a good laugh. The laughter then becomes even heartier when they find out I am at core of the story. Here two successful events occur - 1. I am able to connect with the student in a humorous way and 2. They see that I too have made mistakes and moved on successfully - the human element. This then becomes a teachable moment that they can do the same to.
i use this all the time it help them to relat to you
Hi Latazia,
Great way to keep the interest of your students and be able to reinforce to them what their career is all about. Laughter is a great teaching tool when used to reinforce and engage the students in learning. Thank you for sharing this strategy with the participants.
Gary
During the first class, I list the rules for the class. The very first rule is to have fun. I teach at night and many of my students are working adults with kids, including myself, and having fun while learning is very important to them and to me. I use my own life expereince often, especially the funny stories, and it makes the class laugh. This is one of the ways I establish a rapport between myself and the class.
As I reflect on my own personal educational experience, I realize that I apreciated the teachers that were fun and made class more enjoyable. A good sense of humor is a great assett.
I agree with you so much that is a key intrument to be a good instructor having a sense of humor with out losing your repect.
It also break the tention between instructor and students. good way to get to know students!!
I never thought of applying having fun to the rules or joyful aspects to the rules. They were always behavior restrictors. Thank You, that is awesome.
Hi Dan,
You are correct in this statement. Teachers have to have a great sense of humor or they will have a hard time dealing with all of the issues that come up with students.
Gary
I apply that very same thought to every new group of students. If you remind them that they are human by making mistakes yourself or have shown them or shared with them that you have then they are more likely to be able to relate to you and share with you when they are having difficulty with material. You do however have to be careful not to make them think you are not prepared.
Hi Tiffany,
Your points are good ones about how to present yourself to the class the first time. Yes, you have to let them know you are prepared and organized for the upcoming class.
Gary
Make them want to be there. Field experiences are one of the best ways to share info and help them learn. Also, a good laugh will break the monotony and reenergize your group.
Hi Alan,
All good points about how to keep students engaged. What are some of the ways you use humor as a part of your instruction?
Gary
Latazia,
I agree with you about telling stories about yourself. My students ask me to tell them humorous stories about my career especially concerning all the traveling I used to do and things that happened.
Anthony,
You are so right. I have full classes because I have a reputation for having a sense of humor that goes along with teaching the class. It is nice to hear students comment how much easier it is to learn when they are having fun.
i always like to start off the class with a joke or funny quote to get the students engaged. For those that are having a bad day, it sets the tone in the opposite direction. I always tell them that I will do whatever it take to make them crack a smile.. and that usually does it!!
Hi Melissa,
Good way to start the class. Humor is a very powerful tool to use in getting students relaxed and ready for the upcoming session.
Gary
Great tool... I try my best to keep the students smiling. I recieve feedback from many of them that it is a much more relaxed environment in what would otherwise be a very stressful one. Humor tends to take a little less focus out of the stress in the lab.
