ED 555

2 Credits

UAA PACE, 500-Level Upper Division Course

Graded

COURSE OVERVIEW

Using Humor in the Classroom: To Teach & Reach Student is designed to be an informational course with application to teachers.  The ideas and strategies presented may provide those teachers with new outcomes for working with students.

Research shows humor can be an effective in gaining and involvement with students.  Because many students are not engaged in learning, behavior, drop-out, and lack of learning occur.  The use of humor with students seems to have a positive effect upon learning gains.  My class Humor in the Classroom: To Teach & Reach Student will explore and teach strategies in how to make the classroom and a school filled with laughter and learning. By focusing in on the positive outcomes of students, I will present examples in how to deal with behavior problems, bulling, tardies, attendance issues, studying, test taking and goal setting.  Teachers taking this class will have a variety of humor strategies in their arsenal of methods in reaching students. The appropriate use of humor is a powerful tool to build a sense of community, promote creativity, and reduce conflict. Judicious use of humor by the instructor sets people at ease and reduces the inherent inequity of the status relationship and the situation with the students and teachers.

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Understand how to engage students using humor
  • Apply humor with colleagues and parents
  • Increase awareness of humors situations
  • Explain the importance of humor in real world situations
  • Demonstrate humor in daily activities
  • Assess your humor for positive and negative impact
  • Develop a humorous approach to teaching

Course Materials:  You are responsible for ordering seperately.  The Laughing Classroom: Everyone’s Guide to Teaching with Humor and Play; Author: Diana Loomans, Karen Kolberg; Publisher: HJ Kramer/New World, 2nd Edition.

Course Syllabus This is a preview syllabus only.  The official syllabus will be provided to you by Sparkman.

  • Methods of Instruction - reading, watching videos, writing assignments, and examinations.
  • Course Grading Rubric

Grade Level: K-12

IMPORTANT DATES

  • This self-paced Sparkman Media course can be completed at a pace that fits your schedule.
  • You can register and start work anytime. 
  • All work is due one year from the date of registration, with a 30 day minimum to complete.
  • Extensions and re-enrollments are not permitted.
  • You may cancel within one week of registration.  A $100.00 cancellation fee will be applied.

TUITION

$310 Level 1 District Subscriber

$360 Level 2 District Non-Subscriber or Retired Educator

CHECK IF YOUR DISTRICT IS LEVEL 1 OR 2

You may pay with Visa or MasterCard.

INSTRUCTOR

Contact Dan Sparkman directly for questions specific to coursework.  Email: dsparkman@alaskaacsa.org  Contact ASDN for registration or transcript questions.

Dan Sparkman, M.Ed. has been working in education for over fifty years, serving as a regular and Special Education teacher and working in Alaska for over 40 years. He was Assistant Professor working for five different universities. Mr. Sparkman has worked in “Bush” Alaska and Anchorage. Dan was a finalist for Alaska Teacher of the Year and awarded “Outstanding CTE Teacher of the Year.” He is certified in Alaska in a variety of teaching areas. He  has been teaching classes for ASDN for over twenty years.