Presented By: Cheryl Wachenheim, North Dakota State University

This presentation will introduce a variety of means to bring humor into the classroom. We will discuss the benefits of humor, forms of humor, and how to mitigate the risks associated with introducing humor into the classroom. The literature supports that happy students are more open to learning, and that, well applied, introducing humor can contribute to a positive social and emotional learning environment. Demonstrated benefits include fostering learning, improving understanding, increasing retention, motivating students, increasing attendance and student interest, reducing anxiety, facilitating connections, diffusing conflict, and building trust. We will discuss a variety of techniques for introducing humor such as short riddles and jokes, videos, stories, personal experiences, pictures, memes, and improvisational discussion, and discuss the importance of relating the humor to the student experience. We will discuss associated risks of introducing humor and how those risks can be mitigated. For example, an important consideration for many is that it certain humor would potentially be perceived as inappropriate. This can be mitigated by trying out your intended statements with several people who can help you identify if you missed something that might offend. Other risks are associated with students not quickly relating to the humor or that they simply don't recognize it. For example, it turns out the riddle “why can't you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?” is not funny to those who do not know how to spell it. Another common occurrence is referencing examples that students may not be familiar with (e.g., songs or movies from a prior era). In summary, the intent is to introduce humor by example (that is, we intend this presentation to be fun for participants), and set everyone up for success.