“Alohahahahahaha”. Keynote Address – Part 3: the best among the rest! Mr. Jim Winter, the actor-teacher, delivered the ideal keynote address. It was not because he has the most appealing theme (humor) but rather he showed what good public speaking should be like.
Sense of Humor has a place in the classroom. Mr. Winter expressed the message that humor can actually benefit learners because it relaxes an individual and it engages the brain. It obviously can reduce stress and create a pleasing environment that is conducive for learning. When students are allowed to have a reasonable leverage of fun in the classroom, they will learn more. They will not detest the lesson which was taught in a fun way. They will always seek for the teacher who makes them laugh along with his sincerity of teaching them. They will always remember the subject matter that was delivered in “pleasant packages”.
To achieve this, Mr. Winter hinted that teachers should be great improvisers. They have to be IN the moment. They have to subtle. They need to bridge conflict through compromise. They need to see the good of the students and focus on their gifts and talents. It takes a lot of practice and of preparation to provide purposeful humor – filled classroom. He said, “we learn best when we are in a state of moderate arousal”.
Added to the educational advantage, Mr. Winter reminded his listeners that a good sense of humor is related to good health. It lessens the risk to having stress-related illnesses. It makes an individual handle life’s pressure easier. It makes for better relationship. It increases pain tolerance. It improves respiration and breathing. It relaxes the muscles. It reduces anxiety and tension. It is a good coping skill from problems. It reduces negative emotions and it improves the mood. Moreover, he said that humor could improve productivity in the work place. It enhances a good working environment. It reduces absenteeism. It encourages involvement and participation. It also improves morale.
I am an advocate of good sense of humor. I do not believe that stringent classroom discipline spawned from fear could enhance learning. I need to let my students operate in a classroom environment where they can laugh and enjoy the lesson. I can deliver subtle jokes in the most appropriate time within the lesson. I can solicit healthy jokes from my students to ease tension and to drive away sleepiness. I must let students enjoy each other through educational games and purposeful activities.
Mr. Winter exemplified to me how to effectively speak in public. He knew very well his presentation. He was not reading solely to a script. He had good stage presence. He had good eye contact to his audience. He had good voice projection. He allowed his listeners to get involved. He was effective in presenting his ideas through the Power Point display (few words per frame, large and attractive fonts, and no distracting effects). He dressed well. He showed excitement and confidence.
His presentation was a good example of an effective teaching strategy. Students will never listen to a monotonous teacher. They will not get motivated to follow through a lesson when a teacher is not passionate and not personable. They will be involved in the discussion if there are corresponding enhancements, for example, Power Point Display.
Teachers should be great communicators! Teachers should be good public speakers!
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