I tell ya that’s entertainment, that’s entertainment
“The cultural values are male; for a woman to say a man is funny is the equivalent of a man saying that a woman is pretty. Also, humor is largely aggressive and pre-emptive, and what’s more male than that?” Fran Lebowitz
A study by researchers from the University of Wisconsin found that incorporating humour into classroom instruction can increase student engagement and participation.
‘108 undergraduate students enrolled in one of four sections of a human development course. Two sections were taught by a humor-using instructor, and two sections were taught by an instructor who did not use humor. Results showed that the humor-using instructor’s sections had significantly greater class participation and significantly greater affective learning, as measured by student course evaluations’
Kher, N., Molstad, S., & Donahue, P. (1999). The Effects of Humor in a College Teaching-Learning Environment. Journal of Educational Psychology, 91(1), 1-15. doi: 10.1037/0022-0663.91.1.1.
A group conversation on 23.01.23 discussed and debated the values of the teacher as a performer. The pressure to entertain for students, to appreciate their lessons or a potential devaluation of our profession. Getting our students to stand on desks shouting ‘Captain My Captain’, inspirational rejection of authoritative education or saccharine pastiche? We reached a quick consensus that charisma can be both positive and negative. If it’s showing how ‘passionate’ a teacher is, it helps engage the students. Does it take up too much space? If it’s performative, it can be off-putting.
“Charisma is the result of effective communication, not the other way around.” – John C. Maxwell
From asking what is it to be entertained , ideas formulated around the theme of charisma. Our group four females and myself asked if charisma was gendered? This came as no surprise. Historically, charisma has been associated with male leaders, and studies have shown that individuals often associate charismatic leadership with masculine traits, such as assertiveness and confidence. This may lead to a perception that charisma is a masculine quality and that women are less likely to be seen as charismatic leaders.
However there are studies showing that women can just be as charismatic, well of course! This clearly highlights the depressingly persistent influence of societal expectations and stereotypes, leading to these negative perceptions. What is an educator’s duty of care for their student’s learning? I believe exposure to a variety of teaching styles and perspectives, a diverse range of role models could help students develop a more nuanced and inclusive view of the world. Who wouldn’t desire this?
“Teaching is a sacred profession, and with that comes a responsibility to care for the whole person, not just their academic achievement.” – Bell Hooks
In conclusion, entertainment can be an effective tool for engaging students, however it shouldn’t come at the expense of academic rigour or meaningful learning experiences. The role of a teacher is to facilitate learning and help students achieve academic success, any use of entertainment should support act, not the headliner.