Katrin Hansmeier from the German Institute for Humour will open the second Day of Teaching and Learning on Thursday, 29 November with her presentation. In this interview, she explains why teachers and learners in particular should have a sense of humour.
QUESTION: Ms Hansmeier, you are an actress and humour trainer. What actually is humour?
ANSWER: According to the Duden dictionary, humour is the ability or willingness to react cheerfully and calmly to certain things. For example, if I stumble on stage, I don't get angry, but comment: "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. I've thought of something very special for you today, just wait for me to leave." Humorous people often remain more capable of acting in tricky situations than those who let anger get the better of them.
QUESTION: Can humour be learned?
ANSWER: The great thing about humour is that you don't have to learn it. You already have it! Humour is a cognitive ability. This ability is impaired in certain diseases. Normally, however, this is not the case. Of course, there are people who supposedly "go to the cellar to laugh". But they apparently laugh in the cellar after all. What you can train: To consciously use your own humour and humour techniques to relax, motivate or simply spread a good mood.
QUESTION: How do you get people to become more humorous?
ANSWER: It takes a curious, enquiring and sometimes courageous attitude. Many people don't even realise how much and what they laugh about in their everyday lives. They tend to remember the moments of anger, shame and speechlessness. The first step to becoming more humorous is to reflect on what I find funny and to discover an awareness of humorous moments and opportunities in everyday life. I practise changing perspectives with the audience, looking at things differently than usual and getting excited about problems.
QUESTION: Why should teachers in particular be humorous?
ANSWER: Humour can - if you know how to use it - relax resistance, generate attention and make you socially attractive. Presenting learning content in a humorous way can make learning easier and more sustainable. This does not mean being a 24-hour clown, but using humour in a targeted and, above all, well-dosed way. Everyday teaching also offers many annoyance traps for teachers: When learners don't even turn up, mobile phones or food in "class", students arriving late. Dealing with disruptions in a humorous way can be an effective way of reducing them in the long term and keeping a good mood at the same time.
QUESTION: And how can humour help with learning?
ANSWER: A humorous perspective opens up a wonderful resource in everyday learning and research: every learner has to make mistakes. Very few people enjoy it, but as the saying goes: it's like a door you have to go through. A good error culture utilises mistakes as opportunities and thus opens up completely new possibilities for action for everyone involved.
About the day of teaching and learning
The Day of Teaching and Learning takes place on Thursday, 29 November and is a joint event of School III - School of Linguistics and Cultural Studies and V - School of Mathematics and Science as well as the Department for Study Affairs. It offers all teaching staff and students a forum to discuss teaching and learning at our university as well as current topics in university teaching. The patron is Prof Dr Sabine Kyora, Vice President for Studies, Teaching and Gender equality.
08.00-12.45 School III and V morning programme
11.00-14.00 Information stands on teaching and learning, poster exhibition and short presentations of digital tools
13.00-14.45 hrs Welcome by the Vice President for Studies, Teaching and Gender equality,
Lecture by Katrin Hansmeier (German Institute for Humour®)
15.15-17.15 hrs University-wide afternoon programme
17.30-19.00 hrs Presentation of the "Teaching Award" and subsequent reception in the BIS Hall
