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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

Incidents of intimidation on the UFS Main Campus
2008-03-05

There have been a few incidents of intimidation this morning (4 March 2008) on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein.

At least 28 students were arrested. These students’ actions were in contravention of the court interdict that is in force on the Main Campus and that applies to all students of the UFS who are registered at the Main Campus for 2008.

The management of the UFS condemns these attacks on students and staff and the perpetrators will be dealt with.

The university management also decided today to appoint extra security guards across the campus with immediate effect. This includes the test and lecture halls.

Enquiries can also be directed to:

Lacea Loader                                                 Mangaliso Radebe
Tel: 051 401 2584                                          Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 083 645 2454                                        Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za                          E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za    

Media Release
Issued by: Mr Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 3422
Cell: 072 207 8334
E-mail: fishera.stg@ufs.ac.za  
4 March 2008

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