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Humor in the Classroom
Using Humor In The College Classroom To Enhance Teaching EffectivenessHumor is a valuable teaching tool for establishing a classroom climate conducive to learning. This article identifies opportunities for incorporating humor in the college classroom, reviews the impact of humor on learning outcomes, and suggests guidelines for the appropriate use of humor (Neelam Kher).
Humor in the Classroom: Cultivating Camaraderie to Maximize Learning
There are many reasons why I have been in love with teaching for over 30 years. Chiefly among them is the opportunity to experience moments of spontaneous humor that surface during certain classes. They are sporadic and fleeting-a clever ad-lib, a witty response, or a suggestive turn of phrase-but their timing and relevance to the class makes them inordinately funny. These moments are the end result of a concerted and deliberate attempt to inspire my students to learn. (Katherine Abbott & Mark Lewis)
Why Use Humor in the Classroom?
Numerous experts, most notably outside of education, have espoused the use of humor in their fields for various physiological and psychological benefits that are believed to be associated with laughter and/or humor. Some of these physiological benefits include muscle relaxation, stimulated circulation, improved respiration, and exercise of the longs and chest muscles, increased production of the body's natural pain killers called endorphins, as well as lowered pulse rate and blood pressure (Ron Deiter, Iowa State).
Using Humor in the Classroom
Faced every day with the prospect of getting-and holding-the attention of a room full of students, that ever-resourceful professional known as a teacher resorts to the use of a number of tools and tactics. Among these may be humor (Association for Career and Technical Education).
