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HUMOR IS A FUNNY THING
by Mary Kay Morrison (pictured)

The movie "Patch Adams" relays the true story of a medical student who believed in the importance of humor in the healing process. There is a growing body of research in the medical field about the benefits of using humor. The Humor and Health Journal is dedicated to "humor and communicating its relationship with health and well being."

One of the first humor research studies was done by Norman Cousins. In his book "Anatomy of an Illness," Cousins relates that when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening collagen disorder, he checked out of a hospital and into a motel room to watch funny movies and to LAUGH! The disorder disappeared.

Much research is available that documents the health benefits of humor.
Some research shows that humor can boost the immune system and other studies indicate that humor even provides an aerobic workout.

But does humor have a role in the educational process? The research on humor in the classroom is not as extensive, but nevertheless compelling. Recent work in the field of brain research indicates the critical role that emotions play in the learning process. There also is a growing body of research in the area of culture and climate that supports the importance of using humor to create a positive learning environment. The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin (Volume 65-3) devotes most of the Spring 1999 issue on the "Impact of Humor on Education and Learning".

How often do we see humor used as a skill in the educational process? If we observe humor in the classroom, is it a purposeful use of humor or is it considered just happenstance? Humor not only makes a classroom more enjoyable, but makes a classroom more conducive to teaching and learning:

* Humor can facilitate learning
* Humor can change behavior
* Humor promotes healing
* Humor reduces stress
* Humor increases creativity

During the past several years in the workshops that I have been facilitating on humor, I frequently ask educators to describe how and when they use humor. The responses have been varied. Many use humor all of the time, as part of their teaching style during instructional delivery.

One educator uses humor as part of a celebration before state standardized testing. Kids tell their favorite jokes or prepare a humorous skit before the assessment to relax the mind and body, increasing the likelihood of optimum performance on the assessment - void of emotional tension. State testing is considered a celebration of student learning: when assessments are completed, there is a party with balloons and food!

Humor can be used when there is a behavior problem. Laughing together decreases the tension and opens the door for creative problem solving. Elizabeth N. Millard, a middle school teacher for behavior disordered youth, writes that humor can be a serious strategy to diffuse tense situations and minimize behavior problems. She feels that humor allows everyone to win. To be effective, humor should work quickly. Certainly not appropriate for all discipline situations, it can be one of many effective tools. Humor should be used selectively.

However, some educators feel uncomfortable using humor and admit not knowing how to use it to facilitate learning. Some have expressed fear that administrators will hear laughter and assume that the students are not "working" -- and therefore not learning.

The Laughing Classroom written by Diane Loomans and Karen Kolberg is a great resource on the topic. Included in this book are a multitude of humor techniques for use in the classroom, as well as a wonderful section devoted to understanding humor
style. Identification of personal style is an important beginning step to understanding how educators can further develop their own humor skills.

Positive emotion can and does play an integral role in enhancing learning. As we continue to gain an understanding of the impact of all emotion on learning, surely we will find humor a critical tool to foster the process.

As comedian Steve Allen has said: "It is bad to suppress laughter, it goes straight to the hips!"

The author is an educational consultant for the Kishwaukee Intermediate Delivery System, Regional Offices of Education for the State of Illinois. She presents regularly on topics of humor, as well as ADHD, Special Needs, Gender Equity, Brain Research, and Staff Development Strategies.You can contact Mary Kay Morrison at
<mkmorris@kidsmail.lth2.k12.il.us>

Cousins, Norman. Anatomy of an Illness. Bantam Books, 1979

Cousins, Norman. Head First: The Biology of Hope and the Healing Power of the Human Spirit. New York and London, England: Viking Penguin.1990

Loomans, Diane, and Karen J. Kioberg. The Laughing Classroom: Everyoneís Guide to Tea ching with Humor and Play. Tiburon, California: H.J.. Kramer, Inc.1993

Dunn, Joseph. "What is a Sense of Humor?" Humor and Health Journal. Dunn: Publisher. March/April,1999.ssroom: Everyone's Guide to Tea.

© Su san J. Jones