What's so great about comedy for facilitation and learning?

 

Comedy is a powerful medium that can be used for just about any kind of teaching,
training or learning activity that you care to name, covering a wide range of goals and
situations. This is a dynamic and exciting new approach to training activities, based
on innovative methods evolved over decades by a pioneer in the field.

What is it about comedy that makes it such a powerful tool for learning and self development?...

1) Like children, we all learn and develop fastest when we're having fun.

2) Comedy is cool. Comedy is rock-and-roll. Comedy can enable us to:
- be who we really are
- be fully in the present moment
- thrive on the unexpected
- develop courage, spontaneity, charisma and energy
- create and use our own authentic humour, naturally and organically

3) The formats and genres used in comedy offer a useful array of models for different
training objectives. Stand-up comedy, for instance, is an excellent model for activities
to develop solo capabilities such as self-presentation or engaging an audience;
double-act is a useful format for practicing one-to-one interactions such as interview
or negotiation; while sketches are an ideal vehicle for developing skills for group
situations. The improvisational approach to comedy used in this book means the
exercises are extremely versatile and adaptable.

4) Comedy based training is great for:
• Making training exciting and fun, and drawing in reluctant participants
• Building confidence, overcoming nerves and reducing stress
• Promoting individual expression, creativity, imagination and innovation
• Developing self-presentation and communication skills
• Fostering teamwork and co-operation
• Providing tools for leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution
• Addressing issues that would be difficult to deal with in a serious context

The ability to think on your feet and improvise creatively is a major component in
comedy. Improvisation can be a key element in interactive learning and development.

Here are some examples of people who will find this approach useful:

• Trainers, coaches and consultants working with business and organisations,
looking for outcomes such as professional self-presentation, sales technique,
customer care, management skills or team-building; or wishing to liven up a
conference suffering ‘death by PowerPoint’

• Teachers in schools, colleges and universities – not only drama, language or
literacy tutors, but also those who wish to encourage confidence, creativity
and self-esteem, engage reluctant learners, or address topical issues, such
as behaviour or bullying, in an innovative and engaging way

• Performers such as musicians, actors or spoken word artists who wish to
incorporate humour and comedy into their work or expand their creativity and
imagination

• People who work in specialized fields such as youth work, special needs,
prison, health services, disability or mental health, where activities need to
respond to very specific participants’ abilities and issues

• Anyone who wants to revitalize group activities of any kind

Gerry’s new book, Presentation Training with Comedy, is just out - please use the contact page to order.