Using comedy or tragedy to gain and keep attention
in the military before we started class the instructor would often show a funny video or an unfortunate video on the topic at hand to gain students attention. By bringing out the emotions such as joy, anger, fear in the learners, they can see a new aspect of the subject at hand. for example, when we learned about improvised explosive devices, we were shown videos of people killed or wounded by these weapons or videos of blowing up washing machines for training. these gave us a better appreciation for the power of explosives far better than a simple lecture with facts and numbers. Granted these are extreme examples I have found none the less that they are effective in gaining attention in the classroom and may be used several times through out the period of instruction to help maintain attention. by switching the videos content from comedy to tragedy or reverse it keeps the students involved as long as they are appropriate for the students age maturity level and content of the course.
Peter,
This is a great illustration of keeping the material interesting by aligning the material with the "what's in it for me" principle, along with practical examples that effectively convey the necessary teaching points.
Barry Westling
I like this principle for the simple fact of bringing out emotions and also to help student understand we all have bad days as well as good days but to get them connect together so that all student will feel each other and be able to communacate and help each other out. So i will use this comedy and tragedy to highlight the day. Thanks for sharing. I also use the WIIFM to introduce todays lesson, and a word for today for building character.
Vickie,
This works for the simple idea that it captures student attention, and anytime we can achieve that, I think we're halfway there to conveying the message we want. When it's personal, students remember and retain.
Barry Westling
I use this a lot in my classes. this not only helps get and keep the students attention but it also lightens your mood as well.
Craig,
Students like stories, especially those that give some kind of insight into the work setting they are being prepared for. And if there is a message in the story, students remember these things.
Barry Westling
I use a lot of comedy because it also helps the students relax and learn better. They are also sharing this laughter together and connect with each other, as well as with me.
I have been in search of some ideas for alternate methods of teaching to keep the students' interest during a class. I think your idea of comedy and tragedy could be very effective, since it is simple, quick and gets the adrenalin flowing.
