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29 January 2024 | Story Igno van Niekerk | Photo Igno van Niekerk
Prof Jannie Pretorius
Prof Jannie Pretorius uses an engaging and humorous teaching style that keeps his Life Science and Natural Science students fascinated and engaged.

Once upon a time, there was a monotonous teacher: the students did not like his lectures. Nothing interesting ever happened. The teacher grew old and retired. The end. Or not? According to research, teaching can be a humorous, fun, and enjoyable experience if you do it differently.

Mr Bean videos and Trevor Noah in the class

Prof Jannie Pretorius, a lecturer in the School of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology, uses an engaging and humorous teaching style that keeps his Life Science and Natural Science students fascinated and engaged. When starting out at the UFS, Prof Jannie wondered about using humour in a “serious tertiary environment.” He soon discovered that students, like most other people, also enjoy appropriate humour.

Using humour in education turned into a research project, and Prof Pretorius found himself showing Mr Bean videos and watching Trevor Noah shows to develop a lesson where the impact of using intentional humour was studied by measuring students’ reactions. An example from the transcription of his class on the mating habits of the praying mantis, where the female often bites the male’s head off to eat him for nourishment, shows how fun can be integrated into learning:

So, it seems that the praying mantis is like – praying; the male is saying: ‘Please don’t eat me, Sylvia, please!’… (laughter) … and she would pray back and say, ‘Please, Ronnie, I can’t resist you.’ (laughter).

Sensitive to their learners’ preferences

Despite the classes being fun, Prof Pretorius also cautions that it is important for teachers to be sensitive to their learners’ preferences and cultural backgrounds when using humour. “There is always an element of risk in the use of humour. As such, humour should always be used in a respectful and inclusive manner to ensure that all learners feel comfortable and included in the classroom.”

Prof Pretorius recognises that the use of humour depends on educators’ personal preferences. Ultimately, it is about what the students learn.

Listen to Prof Jannie Pretorius talk about his research. 

News Archive

South Campus warmly welcomes Prof Petersen
2017-05-18

Description: Prof Petersen South Campus welcoming gown Tags: Prof Petersen South Campus welcoming gown

Photo: Charl Devenish

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The second welcoming ceremony for Prof Francis Petersen was held at the South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) on Thursday, 18 May 2017.  It is one of three welcoming ceremonies during the Inauguration week of the new Vice-Chancellor and Rector.

 “Although we are geographically divided, our three campuses need to work together to accomplish our mission,” said Prof Daniella Coetzee, Principal of the UFS South Campus, who gave a warm welcome to staff, special guests, and students who gathered in the Madiba Arena. Prof Nicky Morgan, Vice-Rector: Operations, introduced Prof Petersen and said: “This is the first time that a ceremony of this nature is celebrated across our three campuses.”

Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, said: “Always try to think differently. Challenge yourself. Be innovative.” He emphasised the importance of making the output of universities more useful to the society. “We are one university with three campuses. We expect the same level of excellence on all three campuses,” he said.

Among the speakers of the day, was Surprise Manyaiyi, the Vice-President of the Bloemfontein Campus SRC, who said that Prof Petersen is the right person to lead the UFS.

The crowd were entertained through various musical items, including the UFS choir, which left the audience in loud cheers and waving flags.

Description: South Campus welcoming web photo 2 Tags: South Campus welcoming web photo 2

Photo: Charl Devenish

 

 

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