Why should educators choose to integrate humor into all aspects of their teaching? It’s the way to turn ho-hum into hum-dinger!
Here is a list of the top 10 fundamental reasons why successful educators purposefully choose humor as an effective teaching strategy.
Humor can assist:
10. Long Term Memory Connections. Current brain research shows a direct correlation between the emotions and memory. If you think about what you remember from grade school, chances are your strongest memories are tied to very strong emotional events. Humor can be a critical key to long term memory.
9. Survival. Barbara Fredrickson from the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Lab at the University of North Carolina developed the Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions to explain the mechanics of how positive emotions are important to survival. Humor has often been used as a survival technique for prisoners of war. It can surely help us survive the challenges we face in education.
8. Engagement. The traditional auditory lecture is one of the least effective ways to facilitate learning. Purposeful games, directed play and physical activity all promote humor and learning.
7. Attention. Humor captures and retains attention as it alerts the brain to fun! The elements of laughter and surprise can hook even the most reluctant student.
6. Stress Reduction. Humor is conducive to creating a stress-free learning environment. Humor has been shown to decrease depression, loneliness and anger. Student stress has been on the rise.
5. Teacher-Student Rapport. The number one characteristic that students want in a teacher is a sense of humor. They may not remember what you taught but will remember your sense of humor.
4. Creativity. Ian Jukes, internationally known futurist, says that the job market has transitioned from agriculture and manufacturing jobs to positions requiring creativity. Humor promotes creativity.
3. Communication. Humor is a great way to build relationships with kids, colleagues and parents. Understanding your humor style will assist you in your humor practice. Humor is a social lubricant. It has the power to create a culture of trust.
2. Change. Educators are faced with change on a daily basis. Just a spoon full of humor makes the medicine go down!
And now for the number one reason…drum roll, please:
1. Because It’s FREE and FUN. Teaching is a joyful experience. With the current focus on accountability and data-driven instruction, we seem to have lost our sense of humor. Do not let anything rob you of your passion for bringing joy to your students and remember: it is absolutely free of charge!
Practicing humor is similar to being physically fit. In order to improve your sense of humor, you need to spend time developing your humor through practice. Think about keeping a humor journal, spending time with colleagues who make you laugh and purposefully including humor in every lesson every day. It’s your choice: ho-hum or hum-dinger.
Remember:
Never take life too seriously, you won’t get out alive!
Ideas for improving your humor practice can be found in Mary Kay’s book, Using Humor to Maximize Learning. Research citations can be found here. Morrison serves on the board of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor).
