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Where was the librarian when the lights went out?
In the dark!
Years ago, during my previous life as an elementary school teacher, I received what I consider to be the highest compliment from a student: "Miss, you're kinda funny!". Though the context was different, this gem of wisdom from a ten year old often serves me well during my information literacy sessions.
Admit it, sometimes the material you need to cover in a library instruction session is just not that exciting to teach or listen. One technique to spice up an instruction session is to interject humour! Not only will this make the class more exciting (for you and the students), but the literature (see below) supports that humour increases learning and knowledge retention, plus contributes to boosting your approachability. Make 'em laugh in class – you'll relieve their library anxiety and in the future they'll be less intimidated to come visit you at the reference desk!
Try out these 'humourous' teaching tips:
- Smile!!
- Create a light hearted, conversational environment.
- Break the ice with a funny audio or video clip.
- Quote popular culture references or analogies.
- Use humourous keywords to demonstrate searching.
- Include jokes, cartoons or riddles in your presentation.
- Interject spontaneous quips or witty comments.
- Apply personal stories, examples or experiences.
- Be culturally aware and avoid controversial topics.
- Move around the classroom.
- Practice, practice, practice!
The content we teach is obviously the most important part of the lesson, but it doesn't hurt to throw in a little humour to enhance the students' experience. Remember though, there's a fine line between funny and foolish!
What humourous strategies do you employ during your interactions with students?
Trefts, Kristin, and Sarah Blakeslee. "Did You Hear the One About the Boolean Operators? Incorporating Comedy into Library Instruction." Reference Services Review 28.4 (2000): 369 – 378. Emerald Management. Web. 4 November 2010.
Walker, Billie E. "Using Humor in Library Instruction." Reference Services Review 34.1 (2006): 117 – 128. Emerald Management. Web. 4 November 2010.
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