Adding a little humor may help students stay engaged

We all know how powerful a funny instructor can be, but now we have proof. A study by Franklin researchers published in the Journal of Microbiology & Biology indicates that when an instructor uses humor in class, students feel more relaxed and motivated to participate.  

While every instructor’s sense of humor may be different, the effect of humor on the students is the same: it builds rapport and creates a pleasant dynamic within the classroom. According to the study, it also decreases emotions such as anger, anxiety, and boredom, all of which have been impediments to concentration for time immemorial. 

“People might look at emotions and say, ‘Oh, you know, that doesn’t really matter. What matters is they’re learning,’” said Erin Dolan, a co-author of the study and a professor in the Franklin College’s department of biochemistry and molecular biology. “But emotions influence our learning and our motivation to continue with a subject.”

The researchers collected audio recordings as they taught and then surveyed students about their emotional responses toward the courses. Students who reported that their instructor was funny also reported more pleasant emotions, which, according to the researchers, are central for student learning and academic performance. 

The study was authored by undergraduate student Zarae Allen; doctoral students C.J. Zajic and Christina Leckfor; post-doc Treavor Tuma; and Dolan.  

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