Humor in the Classroom: Learning Through Laughter

Although the appropriateness of humor in the college classroom has been debated for much of the 20th century, little research exists as to what benefit humor actually plays in the context of a college classroom. To address these gaps in literature, 13 students were selected at random from a regional institution in Northeastern Oklahoma to be interviewed at depth regarding professors’ use of humor in the college classroom. The research team found that the use of humor in the college classroom can lighten mood, provide a welcome space for a mental break, promote social cohesion, and serve to increase the retention of information.