7. Study Case: Applied Nonsense Teaching Philosophy
7.2 Implementing AN in the Classroom: Examples of AN
7.2 Implementing AN in the Classroom: Examples of AN
When there must be moments of teacher centered lecture or monologues, there must be moments of humor, creativity, fun, light-hearted ways of linking ideas to real life, or other larger concepts. Otherwise we will lose the students’ attention. There are many practical ways that teachers can implement AN in the classroom.
As I suggested, AN is a technique that can be is used as an aid to break-up traditional classroom lecture or then conversely it can be used as the main material of the lesson as a way to make some topic more interesting. In the following section I will give general ideas and tools for how to implement AN in the classroom and then more specific examples of how to use AN with regard to teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). I will also give some examples of how AN technique has been used in
educational children’s television programs. And I will also discuss possibilities for using AN as a way to enhance the aesthetics of a classroom environment as well as a way for teachers to personalize their teacher image and create a positive atmosphere in the classroom.
7.2.1 Traditional Methods of AN
There are certain subjects which intrinsically use elements of AN technique as a major method of teaching. In particular many of the liberal arts subjects come to mind, like the
various branches of the visual arts or theatre. The very fabric of these subjects is visual, playful, relatable, personal, and enjoyable to the students who chose to study them.
They provide students with the opportunity to use their imaginations, create something original, interact and bounce ideas around with fellow students, as well they are a great avenue for self - expression.
Similarly, the teaching practices of early childhood are brimming with AN examples, as the use of music, visuals, attention-grabbing and alternative methods for breaking-up information with elements of play or fun is the method by which young children learn and how they are taught.
In addition, I would suggest that the very nature of teaching the sciences has
traditionally allowed for many opportunities to use AN teaching techniques because many of the complex concepts and ideas need to be visually explained, manipulated or experimented with.
Elements from arts education, sciences, and early childhood education can be used to enhance the teaching style for non –arts and science related subjects as well as the possibilities for learning in older students. Traditionally, these methods of AN have been carried over to other subjects when teachers provide opportunities for their students to create performances, develop some project, or experiment as part of the learning experience in the classroom as a way to break from everyday lecture style.
In addition, posters, visuals, projection screens, and adaptations of board games or original game ideas created for use in the classroom were commonly used to provide students with non-traditional visual stimulus, or elements of fun and “play” in the classroom before the introduction of computers and the internet. These methods of traditional uses of AN are still among some of the most effective and useful ways to engage and teach students; they are useful alternative tools to enhance learning and give students a much needed break from technology.
7.2.2 The Internet and Educational Technology
The invention of the computer and moreover, the internet and modern technology has presented endless possibilities to use AN techniques in the classroom. With the use of the internet there are limitless opportunities to find images, memes, gifs, short videos,
audio clips, music, applications, games, etc. These are all examples of AN technique because they are visual and humorous, as well they can be used to link ideas and concepts in the subject in an interesting or thought provoking manner or in a playful way.
Because modern students are familiar with these types of visual expressions which are used regularly in social media as a way to creatively or humorously link ideas or get some message across clearly, cleverly, and quickly, using them in the classroom is a very effective way to enhance their learning. They are powerful and popular avenues for sharing ideas because images can say a lot and they grab our attention. They can make an impact on us or leave a lasting impression where a page of text or a long lecture discussion alone might be forgotten.
In addition, the internet provides educators with opportunities to develop interesting alternatives to traditional lecture based lessons. There are a great many websites like e.g.
Kahoot! which is a game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create
personalized interactive quizzes or trivia games for students to play as part of a lesson.
Kahoot! is a great tool for using AN in the classroom, and is an effective way to take a break from a traditional classroom activity. If it is not overused, it provides a playful and fun learning experience for students.
7.2.3 AN in Children’s Television Series: A Learning Tool
As a young child, I recall watching endless hours of a public access program known as Sesame Street which was a popular 1980’s children’s television program full of
nonsense and humor. Sesame Street is the perfect example of some entity that teaches through this idea of Applied Nonsense. Sesame Street is an American educational children’s television show that was developed in the late 1960’s by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett both of whom held degrees in Education, Philosophy and
Experimental Psychology. This television program has been recognized for successfully educating English speaking children for nearly 50 years. As a result, there have been many international co-productions and language adaptations of the series in many countries worldwide, and the original English program is still in production today.
The show creators combined puppetry, live action, animation, sketch comedy, and short films to teach children phonics, social and cultural skills, among other important lessons that are fundamental to early childhood education. The program also features Jim Henson’s Muppets, which are a group of puppets/marionettes that he and his creative team Muppets, Inc. developed for commercial advertisements as well as for the Sesame Street television program. Since the development of Sesame Street many programs have followed suit, notably a clever and humorous show called Yo Gabba! from the television network Nickelodeon as well a number of English children’s series featured on the BBC.