comedy in the classroom:
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Comedy in the Classroom: . Creating a More Enjoyable and Inclusive Atmosphere through Humor. Matthew R. Turner , Ph.D. School of Communication Radford University . Scott A. Turner, Ph.D. Math and Computer Science UNC Pembroke. Overview. Benefits of humor in the classroom - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Comedy in the Classroom:
Creating a More Enjoyable and Inclusive Atmosphere through Humor
Matthew R. Turner, Ph.D.School of Communication Radford University
Scott A. Turner, Ph.D. Math and Computer
Science UNC Pembroke
Overview
•Benefits of humor in the classroom
•The dangers of humor•How to implement humor in the classroom
Benefits of Humor• Increases learning, scores, and
attendance• Decreases stress and reduces anxiety• Builds groups, communities, and
common bonds• Reduces conflict• Raises student evaluations and peer
evaluations• Makes our job more fun
Research on Humor• “We concluded that humor not only increases interest
but also promotes learning.” (Narula, et al 22)• “Humorous material tends to be recalled at higher
rates than non-humorous material.” (Carlson 21)• “This is because humor acts as a tonic in reducing
anxiety and resolving conflict.” (Lin, Yeh, and Lo 365)• “Because humor can evoke a positive emotional
response, humorous materials could receive not only verbal elaboration but also some appraisal processing, which could boost subsequent memory.” (Takahashi and Inoue 81)
Group Building with Humor
•Smoothes interactions•Creates shared identity•Separates the group by defining
boundaries•Classroom corrective and social
control
Group Building• “The joking culture of small groups influences group
processes by smoothing group interaction, forming a collective identity, separating the group from others, and securing appropriate behavior.” (Rothwell, et al 338)
• “Every interacting social group develops, over time, a joking culture: a set of humorous references that are known to members of the group to which members can refer and that serve as the basis of further interaction.” (Fine and De Soucey 1)
• “In this way humor becomes a means of attenuated or covert criticism, a flexible device for reconciling criticism with solidarity.” (Archakis and Tsakona 60)
DiscussionIn groups of 4-6 people, discuss
• When is humor appropriate in the classroom?
• When is humor inappropriate in the classroom?
• What specific types of humor may be inappropriate?
Appropriate?
I can easily zip and unzip folders and files
1. Yes2. Generally3. Yes, no wait, no4. No, no wait, still no5. Pervert
Appropriate?Language or material that describes
sexual or excretory organs or activities, but that has some first amendment protection is
A. ProfanityB. IndecencyC. ObscenityD. Strangely exhilarating
Appropriate?To understand the meaning of Hula
Dance, one should look atA. The dancer’s lipsB. The dancer’s hipsC. The dancer’s handsD. The dancer’s cultural backgroundE. Get your mind out of the gutter
Hilarious?According to lecture, the artist Joseph Beuys
lived in a room with what creature for three days to show how America had become detached from its heritage and native culture?
A. A coyoteB. A bobcatC. An eagleD. His mother-in-law
Dangers of humor• Humor is personal, subjective, and contextual so
the effects can be unpredictable• Avoid inappropriate humor• Avoid hostile humor • Do not allow humor to stifle communication or
exclude groups• Avoid using a scapegoat• Watch out for cultural/linguistic
misunderstandings
Inappropriate humor
• Ethnicity• Family background• Personal appearance• Sexually suggestive topics• Sarcasm????
Avoid humor dealing with
Discussion
•Discuss and explain to your group a good joke in your discipline.• (Pick one joke to tell the whole
group.)•What can you do/What have you
done to add humor into the classroom?
Humor in First Day Introduction
• A little bit about me• Scott Turner• Computer Scientist
• Programmer for 12+ years• Interested in Human-Computer Interactions, CS Education
• Weird sense of humor• Recognition
• Faces • Names• Faces with Names
Introducing a Concept
Munroe, Randall. (October 21, 2011). Prairie. In xkcd. Retrieved February 7, 2012, from http://xkcd.com/967/.
Humor in a testThe darkened room where artists would
project an image of the outside on a canvas was called
A. Camera LucidaB. Camera Obscura C. Camera CalamariD. Camera Diaz
Confusing Humor
Choose the antonym: AbhorA. KetchupB. MustardC. MayonnaiseD. Relish
Distracting humorThe architect of the Paris Opera House
wasA. Maurice ChevalierB. Marcel MarceauC. Charles GarnierD. Jean Baptiste Poquoin
How to use Humor• Use humor appropriately• Use humor that reflects your personality• Let students know that you use humor• Make sure it does not interfere with
learning objectives• Use positive and constructive humor• Use humor just to amuse yourself
Strategies for implementing humor
• Humorous material on syllabi
• Humorous warnings on handouts
• Opening jokes• Skits/Dramatizations• Ad-lib humor
• Attention getters• Humorous examples• Humorous material
on exams• Video clips• Audio clips• Use of cartoons
Summary• Benefits of humor in the classroom
• Improve student performance• Group building
• The dangers of humor• Inappropriate humor• Distracting humor
• How to implement humor in the classroom• Create a safe humorous atmosphere• Find humor that suits you and your classroom
Implementing these strategies may improve the classroom experience but. . . .
Do not expect Miracles