Using appropriate and timely humor in your classroom can set a comfortable tone, be rewarding, and enhance learning. Humor 'alerts' the brain, makes students more receptive to learning, and promotes a classroom climate of openness.
Humor can be a valuable teaching tool for establishing a classroom climate that is favorable for learning. It can be used as an ice breaker or to reduce stress. It also fosters creativity. Linking humor to memory tools (such as mnemonic devices) can increase retention. An interesting source on humor is: Humor in the Classroom (1988) by D. J. Hill. Another source is "Dread Courses" in the College Student Journal, Sept. 1999 by Kher, Molstad, and Donahue,
In a book by Loomans and Kolberg, The Laughing Classroom: Everyone's Guide to Teaching with Humor and Play (1993), you can find more data.
The following are some online resources:
If I create camaraderie in the classroom, will it affect learning?
Humor and the Multiple Intelligences......is there a connection?
