In class today we discussed the topic of motivation and its importance to learning. In Bridges to Autonomy, the three characters have a discussion regarding this topic and the fact that learning must include a degree of volition. The question then becomes: How do educators increase students' willingness and desire to learn if they are not interested in the subject at hand? As a class, we discussed the popular use of swearing and humor to engage students, and while I do believe that swearing is often a last desperate attempt to connect with a class, I think humor in the classroom holds real merit.
When a teacher introduces humor in the classroom, the first effect is often a lightening of the mood. When the atmosphere becomes more casual and laid back, students become more comfortable and more likely to tune into the lesson. The use of humor also reveals the teacher's personality. In high school, I had a teacher named Ms. Murphy. She was very funny and she had a strong personality that the students loved. When trying to explain important concepts, she would use humorous examples that were both relatable and memorable. While the material she taught was often dry and scientific, she made the lessons engaging by using her sense of humor to increase our interest. Students may have difficulty mastering a concept, and sometimes using humor can help simplify the material and make it more accessible. I think humor is a very valuable tool that many teachers often fail to employ. Humor can also help deal with day-to-day behavioral situations in the class. In a conversation with the English Department Chair of a local high school, I was told that humor was a key qualifier for any candidate applying for a job in her school. To me, humor in the classroom hold more merit than acknowledged.
Do you remember any teachers who made their classes/lessons memorable by using humor in their teaching?
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