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Using Humor in the Classroom

Using Humor in the Classroom. Or…. “Everything you wanted to know about being funny in class but were too afraid to ask.”. Why Even Try to Be Funny??. Humor: Increases student attention and involvement. Has a positive effect upon learning retention.

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Using Humor in the Classroom

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  1. Using Humor in the Classroom Or… Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  2. “Everything you wanted to know about being funny in class but were too afraid to ask.” Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  3. Why Even Try to Be Funny?? Humor: • Increases student attention and involvement. • Has a positive effect upon learning retention. • Creates a comfortable social environment. • Gets discussions started faster • Encourages response in Q&A sessions. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  4. Make Humor Relevant Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  5. Make Humor Relevant • Humor does not have to be a diversion or digression from the lecture. • Whenever possible, weave humor into what your students are already learning. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  6. Focus on the Positive!! Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  7. Focus on the Positive!! • Adopting a light, playful mind set helps establish a warm, safe learning environment. • Negative comments, such as on the usefulness of the material, create frustration in students and leads to low motivation. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  8. Practice Verbal and Nonverbal Playfulness Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  9. Practice Verbal and Nonverbal Playfulness • Use facial animation: smile, make lively expressions, and let your eyes sparkle. • Use comfortable body language and a relaxed voice. Make sure your nonverbal messages match your verbal messages. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  10. Use Humor to Relieve Tension Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  11. Use Humor to Relieve Tension • Develop your ability to read your students' tension levels. • When you sense tension, try to defuse it by making a humorous remark or telling a funny story. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  12. Target Yourself, Not Your Students Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  13. Target Yourself, Not Your Students • To avoid a sense of threat, the safest target for humor is yourself, not your students. • DO NOT poke fun at religious beliefs, race, or gender. Such comments cause animosity and a hostile environment for learning. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  14. Target Yourself, Not Your Students Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Using Humor: • Is it Appropriate? • Is it Timely? • Is it Tasteful? • Is it even Funny? Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  15. Activity: • AT&T Humor Test • Humorous? Yes___ No___ Depends:___ • Appropriate? Yes___ No___ Depends:___ • Timely? Yes___ No___ Depends:___ • Tasteful? Yes___ No___ Depends:___ Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  16. Questions & Comments Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

  17. References and Further Information: Deiter, Ron "What's So Funny About Teaching 'Dismal' Science Classes?" http://www.cte.iastate.edu/newsletter/november98/humor.html Gorham, J., & Christophel, D.M. (1990). The relationship of teachers' use of humor in the classroom to immediacy and student learning. Communication Education, 39, 46-61. LeMieux, A.C. (2000). Only Connect. ALAN Review, 27 (2), 11-16. Project T.E.A.C.H: Teacher Effectiveness and Classroom Handling. http://www.plsweb.com Shade, Richard A.: “License to Laugh: Humor in the Classroom” Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

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