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29 January 2024
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Story Igno van Niekerk
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Photo Igno van Niekerk
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.
Rag 2005
2005-01-20
20 January
Thursday
08:00-12:00 Rag Workshop - Westblock 202
Workshops are held to introduce the First Year
students to the work that is done by Rag & Kovsco
and the importance of their social responsibility towards their community.
10:30-11:30 Lettie Fouchè
The Central Rag committee visits and treats the children of Lettie Fouchè School.
Evening Collections - Mochacos, Waterfront
First years work hard to raise money via door
to door collections in the neighbourhoods of
Bloemfontein for charity. First years dress-up as
chickens and prizes can be won every night.
21 January
Friday
08:00-12:00 Rag Workshop - Westblock 202
Workshops are held to introduce the First Year
students to the work that is done by Rag & Kovsco
and the importance of their social responsibility towards their community.
22 January
Saturday
08:30 for 09:00 Ladies Tea
in conjunction with Sarie
co-sponsored by Audi & Pick’nPay Hypermarket
An enjoyable morning where the ladies of Bloemfontein and surrounding areas are treated with beautiful
layed tea tables and guest artists. The host of every table participate in a competition and prize winners for the most beautiful tables are announced. The guest artist for Ladies Tea 2005 is Nataniel.
24 January
Monday Evening Collections - Mochachos, Waterfront
First years work hard to raise money via door to door collections in the neighbourhoods of Bloemfontein for charity. First years dress-up as chickens and prizes can be won every night.
25 January
Tuesday
08:30-16:00 MGD Coronation Ball tickets for sale
29 January 2005
Sand du Plessis Theatre
R260 per couple
The prestige evening of Kovsie Rag filled with
great music, sound and a vibrant show. The MGD
Rag Queen and her princesses are crowned and Rag
also makes use of this opportunity thank its
sponsors.
16:00 Vote for Rag Finalists at men’s hostels float-
building areas
Students have the opportunity to vote for their
favourite Rag finalists at the float building areas.
17:00-22:00 Evening Collections - Mochachos, Waterfront
First years work hard to raise money via door
to door collections in the neighbourhoods of
Bloemfontein for charity. First years dress-up as
chickens and prizes can be won every night.
26 January
Wednesday
22:00 MGD Rag Finalist Mass - Scholtz Hall
An exciting mass is held for the students to introduce
the 10 beautiful Rag finalists.
27 January
Thursday
08:00 Ritsim Launch - City Lodge
Ritsim 2005 is launched and introduced to the
UFS Top Management and the sponsors.
09:00-16:00 Campus vote for MGD Rag Finalists at various
voting stations.
Various voting stations are placed on campus for the students to vote for their favourite MGD Rag finalists.
Voting stations: Callie Human; Soetdoring Cafeteria; Library; Medical Cafeteria and at the Thakaneng Bridge.
17:00-22:00 Evening Collections - Mochachos, Waterfront
First years collect money for charity
28 January
Friday Ritsim Bloemfontein City Sales
6:30 Brace your self for the students around every corner
on the streets of Bloemfontein. Support Kovsie RAG
and buy a Ritsim 2005 magazine.
R10 per copy
16:00-22:00 Potjiekos - Vodacom & Tiger Brands
(Unite for Hunger)
Coca Cola Fortune & ABSA
Students enjoy a great evening of potjiekos and try their best to persuade the judges that their potjiekos is the best. Music and entertainment is organized.
29 January
Saturday
05:00 Ritsim Rural Town Sales
The students drive off into the country to sell the Ritsim magazines in various towns. R10 per copy.
18:00 for 18:30 MGD Coronation Ball
Sand du Plessis Theatre
R260 per couple
The crowning of the RAG Queen is a spectacular
evening not to be missed. It is an evening filled with
vibrant music and colour and you will also be treated
with a great show. Kovsie Rag also thanks its
sponsors on this prestige evening.
30 January
Monday
13:00-14:00 Sent placing - Thakaneng Bridge
Come and donate your change and it place it on a letter of a hostel of your choice.
5 February
Saturday
08:00-10:00 ENGEN RAG Procession
Proud Kovsie students have worked very hard on their floats and can’t wait for this day. Please come and enjoy a great day with Kovsie RAG and your family.
Procession Route: The Procession starts at the Kovsie Church. The procession proceeds in Nelson Mandela Drive and turn right into Markgraaff street. We then turn right into Kingsway and stop in front of the stage at the Art Market. Prof. Fourie introduces a toast on Rag 2005 and enjoys a glass of champagne with our
beautiful Rag Queen and her princesses.
Please support the first years in put your change into their collection tins.