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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

UFS takes precautions against Swine Flu
2009-08-05

“No cases of the Human Swine Flu have been reported at the University of the Free State (UFS) so far,” says Sister Riana Johnson from Kovsie Health.

“The situation is monitored closely and we are taking the necessary precautions to deal with any possible cases,” she says.

“Staff and students should visit their nearest clinic, medical practitioner or an emergency room if they experience any of the symptoms. They can also contact Kovsie Health at 051 401 2603 on the Main Campus and 058 718 5210 on the Qwaqwa Campus during office hours,” says Sister Johnson.

The symptoms of Swine Flu resemble those of ordinary flu and it includes a fever above 38 degrees Celsius together with a sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, coughing, headaches, tiredness and joint pains. Some people also have diarrhoea and vomiting.

A confirmed case of Swine Flu is a person who has an acute respiratory infection and where Swine Flu A/H1N1 infection is confirmed by a laboratory. There is no vaccine available against Swine Flu at the moment. However, antiviral medication is available and will be prescribed if necessary.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
5 August 2009

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