Active Listening Can Be Funny
Students at every level need to learn to develop active listening skills. One of the best ways I have seen this done is through improvisational comedy. Improv has two simple rules - 1) you cannot negate what someone has just said or did and 2) you must add something meaningful to the scene. The first rule teaches a student how to accept without judgment what the speaker is saying. The second rule, however, is the hardest because in order to forces the active listener to really listen, internalize what the previous speaker just said, and create something new (synthesis).
Paul ,
This is a very interesting post. I had to read it twice, but I think I have it and I think I like it!!! Really using critical thinking skills as well!
Shelly Crider
Active listening is crucial in any environmanet...at home, at work, in social situations. Using Improv is an cool way to teach it.
