University of Tennessee - Accolades Press on 'Improv in the Classroom'
"I was very impressed with Stefanie's facilitation skills and workshop design, two markers of an excellent instructor. As a participant, I enjoyed the workshop tremendously, in large part because she did an excellent job of scaffolding the activities and establishing a safe environment in which participants could express themselves ... I did gain an appreciation for the listening, teamwork, and flexibility involved in improv and aim to utilize those lessons in my own personal experiences. The cultural differences I observed during the workshop, moreover, sensitized me to the challenges and opportunities of interpersonal communication in a growing multicultural society. Overall, I think there is much to be gained by participating in this sort of workshop or (better yet) course." - CTS Conference Attendee
"After taking this workshop I felt empowered to use similar strategies in the classroom. I already do some weird and experimental stuff in the classroom, so using improvisational games and techniques provided a particular framework which has been very generative for diving in and consciously saying how improv will inform this classroom. For instance, on day one, we do some weird and awkward games and this helps the class feel empowered because the worst thing imaginable was already accomplished! We laughed and produced something better than producing it on our own." - Conference Attendee
“I learned that I really need to stop over thinking everything and just have more fun with it. That sometimes, just saying yes and being positive can turn other’s reactions completely around. That in a team environment, we should always try to make other members look good. I also learned I need to trust my gut more!” – UT Undergraduate Student
" For me in the context of the classroom, has caused me to reflect more consciously. More so, listen attentively to what the student says and build on that. This involves active listening in order to probe the student or build on their words to help produce something better than stopping the conversation. The workshop also helped me to reflect on my classroom style of collaborative learning and figure out how to be more mindful." - Conference Attendee
“I think it helped in terms of public speaking skills and thinking on my feet in terms of random human interactions. I think the workshop helped us as a team and unit and should be continued in the course.” - UT Undergraduate Student
“I thought this workshop helped with anxiety towards change. I think everyone gets stressed about change, so it helped to kind of laugh about it. I really liked our conversation today! I think it helped to touch base with everyone" - UT Undergraduate Student
“It’s a tool we can all use. Breaks down barriers.” - Geography Faculty
"I would like to incorporate similar activities into the classroom - builds shared empathy (we’re all embarrassed) and releases tension first day.” - Academic Conference Attendee
"I was very impressed with Stefanie's facilitation skills and workshop design, two markers of an excellent instructor. As a participant, I enjoyed the workshop tremendously, in large part because she did an excellent job of scaffolding the activities and establishing a safe environment in which participants could express themselves ... I did gain an appreciation for the listening, teamwork, and flexibility involved in improv and aim to utilize those lessons in my own personal experiences. The cultural differences I observed during the workshop, moreover, sensitized me to the challenges and opportunities of interpersonal communication in a growing multicultural society. Overall, I think there is much to be gained by participating in this sort of workshop or (better yet) course." - CTS Conference Attendee
"After taking this workshop I felt empowered to use similar strategies in the classroom. I already do some weird and experimental stuff in the classroom, so using improvisational games and techniques provided a particular framework which has been very generative for diving in and consciously saying how improv will inform this classroom. For instance, on day one, we do some weird and awkward games and this helps the class feel empowered because the worst thing imaginable was already accomplished! We laughed and produced something better than producing it on our own." - Conference Attendee
“I learned that I really need to stop over thinking everything and just have more fun with it. That sometimes, just saying yes and being positive can turn other’s reactions completely around. That in a team environment, we should always try to make other members look good. I also learned I need to trust my gut more!” – UT Undergraduate Student
" For me in the context of the classroom, has caused me to reflect more consciously. More so, listen attentively to what the student says and build on that. This involves active listening in order to probe the student or build on their words to help produce something better than stopping the conversation. The workshop also helped me to reflect on my classroom style of collaborative learning and figure out how to be more mindful." - Conference Attendee
“I think it helped in terms of public speaking skills and thinking on my feet in terms of random human interactions. I think the workshop helped us as a team and unit and should be continued in the course.” - UT Undergraduate Student
“I thought this workshop helped with anxiety towards change. I think everyone gets stressed about change, so it helped to kind of laugh about it. I really liked our conversation today! I think it helped to touch base with everyone" - UT Undergraduate Student
“It’s a tool we can all use. Breaks down barriers.” - Geography Faculty
"I would like to incorporate similar activities into the classroom - builds shared empathy (we’re all embarrassed) and releases tension first day.” - Academic Conference Attendee
