Using Humor to
Engage Student
Learning
Bryan C. Duncan, MS,
LPC-S, NCC
A Brief Dedication
 Classes


Louis XVI
Words and Dresses
 Why

in which I learned more
this topic is important to me
Teacher and Student Roles
I
do not want to teach a class, I would not
want to sit through as a student.
The Professor Stereotype

Knowledgeable, quiet


BUT dull and dry
The perception:
If the students laugh or have fun it means they are not
taking the class or subject seriously
 Stern instruction is required for a healthy student-teacher
relationship
 Seriousness is required to present a professional and
mature persona
 Humor is a distraction and reduces classroom efficiency.
(Lei, Cohen, & Russler, 2010)
Where did this come from? See Kuhrik, Kuhrik, and Berry
(1997)

Benefits of Humor
 Stimulates
the cerebral cortex improving both
physical and mental health (Lei et al., 2010).
 Those who utilize humor are more positively rated by
both students and peers (Garner, 2006)

Example: Stats Ratings
 Production
of endorphins and natural painkillers (Lei
et al., 2010)
 Reduces anxiety and stress (Garner, 2006)

Example to come…
 Improves
student Morale (Lei et al., 2010)
 Creates a positive social and emotional
environment (Garner, 2006)
 AND MUCH MORE
From
Lei et al. (2010)
How Humor Helps Learning
 Laughter
means your students are awake!
 Laughter means they are listening (Lei et al., 2010)
 Humorous teaching increases retention (Garner,
2006)
 Overall students prefer humorous teaching (Lei et
al., 2010)

Exceptions
 Humor
increases student recall (Garner, 2006)
How can I use humor in my
class?
 Some

examples
Stats
 Diffusing
the introduction of standard deviation formulas
or the ANOVA (stress reducing tactic)




Pointing out flaws or missing information in a text
book or article
Creating funny or ironic illustrations and examples
Comics/funny (a word of warning)
To enhance the relationship between you and your
students
 Being
human and being willing to laugh at yourself
What classes benefit from
humor?
 College
(Garner, 2006)
 Online Classes (James, 2004)
 Business (Benjelloun, 2009)
 Preschool (Gartrell, 2006)
 Nursing (Englert, 2010) (Kuhrik et al., 1997)
 Those with learning differences (SemrudClikeman, & Glass, 2008)
 Math (Warwick, 2009)
 Language Arts (Minchew, & Hopper, 2008)
 ESL (Bell, 2009)
Selected References
 Garner,
R L HUMOR IN PEDAGOGY: HOW HA-HA
CAN LEAD TO AHA! College Teaching; Winter 2006;
54, 1
 Lei, Simon A;Cohen, Jillian L;Russler, Kristen M
Humor on Learning in the College Classroom:
Evaluating Benefits and Drawbacks From
Instructors‘ Journal of Instructional Psychology; Dec
2010; 37, 4;
Thank You for
Your Time and
Attention!
Any Questions/Discussion?