Uncovered Educational Cartoon: The Covert Influence of Laughter on Education
In the realm of education, humour is increasingly being recognised as a valuable asset that can enhance learning, social interaction, and emotional well-being. By employing humour thoughtfully, educators and students can create a positive, engaging, and safe learning environment.
One effective strategy is to use humour to build relationships and rapport between educators and students. This fosters a sense of belonging and safety, which are crucial for effective learning [3][4]. Choosing humour that is respectful, inclusive, and relevant to the lesson content is key to avoiding distractions or alienation [3].
Humour can also act as a refreshing "brain break" or interlude, helping to maintain student focus throughout the class [4]. Encouraging lighthearted classroom conversations or discussions that relate humour to learning topics promotes student participation without chaos [2][3]. It's important to maintain clear expectations about when humour is appropriate, ensuring it complements rather than competes with instructional goals [3].
For students, humour can be a powerful tool for connecting with peers and teachers, supporting collaboration and emotional regulation without distracting from activities. However, it's essential to be mindful of timing and content to avoid humour that could be misinterpreted or off-task [3].
Purposeful doodling while taking notes can reinforce learning for students. Margin doodles are used to transform notes into mini comic strips that clarify concepts, while some students turn their notebook doodles into viral content on platforms like Instagram [5].
Research indicates that laughter activates the brain's dopamine reward system, improving memory retention and potentially increasing information retention by up to 20% [6]. Humour enhances student engagement by keeping them focused for longer periods.
Incorporating humour in examples can help teachers explain concepts more effectively. Starting a lesson with a joke can set a cheerful tone, while a discreet laugh from students can help reset focus during long sessions [1]. Inside-jokes, such as shared memes whispered during lectures, foster a sense of bonding among students [7].
In conclusion, humour works best in classrooms when it is purposeful, positive, and balanced with clear structure. It makes lessons more memorable and fosters a creative and engaged learning atmosphere, all while reducing stress levels for both educators and students [1][3][4]. Humour, when used effectively, can make learning enjoyable without sacrificing focus or respect.
[1] Educational Leadership. (2018). The Power of Humor in the Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.ascd.org/EL/articles/the-power-of-humor-in-the-classroom [2] Edutopia. (2020). How Humor Can Enhance Learning. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-humor-can-enhance-learning [3] Edutopia. (2018). Humor in the Classroom: 10 Tips for Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/humor-classroom-10-tips-teachers [4] The Conversation. (2018). Why humour is good for learning. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/why-humour-is-good-for-learning-103068 [5] The Guardian. (2019). The rise of the doodle classroom: how drawing can help children learn. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/24/the-rise-of-the-doodle-classroom-how-drawing-can-help-children-learn [6] Psychology Today. (2018). The Science of Laughter: Why Humor Helps Us Cope. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-science-humor/201803/the-science-laughter-why-humor-helps-us-cope [7] The Atlantic. (2017). The Secret Language of Inside Jokes. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/05/the-secret-language-of-inside-jokes/527707/
- In addition to being beneficial in the classroom, the use of humor can also positively influence home-and-garden projects and lifestyle choices, as it can promote a more enjoyable and creative environment.
- For individuals focused on self-development and education-and-self-development, incorporating humor in study materials can aid memory retention, increase information absorption, and create a more interesting learning experience.
