The Importance of Teachers Using Humor in the Classroom

Sense of humor can be interpreted as an individual's cognitive response tendencies to evoke laughter, smiles, and excitement. Medical and psychological experts agree that a sense of humor is a valuable asset and it is important for the health and happiness of life, which can be owned by any normal individual.

Medically, a sense of humor can help relieve the pain, and boost the immune system, and can even prolong life. Socio-psychological, sense of humor can help reduce stress and anxiety, facilitate social interaction, and can help better decision making in the midst of a difficult situation. Mitchell Ditkoff said that humor is one of the characteristics of innovative people. While, James C. Coleman said that evokes a sense of humor is one way to maintain a constructive emotion.

In my view, the late Gus Dur, former president of us with "so wrote a scar bother" him, Prof. Moh. Surya, members of Council and former Chairman of PB PGRI with "their independence is the right of all nations" her, Mario Teguh, the famous motivator with regards his super Golden Way, or Deddy Corbuzier, mentalist clean-shaven, they are examples of people who have a sense of humor. They are not a comedian, but at the time of carrying out their duties often present humor that makes people laugh and smile happily. They have a sense of humor is a strong character who is directly or indirectly to strengthen the appearance of profession / job that they do.

For teachers, have a sense of humor is a very valuable personal capital at the same time can be a special allure in the eyes of their students. Teachers' sense of humor is very useful in creating a classroom climate and the development of learning processes that are more healthy and enjoyable. In fact, Melissa Kelly said that a sense of humor is one of the keys to being a successful teacher. According to Melissa, teachers' sense of humor can relieve tension in the air and can prevent the onset of disruptive student behavior in the classroom, and can be used as a way to attract the attention of students in the class. And most importantly, with its sense of humor, a teacher would show that he is a person who has a personality and mental health, to enjoy life, and be able to live a normal life without the stress of his career.

Although in college was never given courses that specifically examines the development of a sense of humor in the classroom, but here seems clear that teachers need to practice and get used to having the ability to develop a sense of humor in the classroom.

In practice, developing a sense of humor in the classroom can not be done at random but require separate ways and tips. Here are some ideas that I often practice in the classroom.

Connect with the material being taught. This idea might be the most difficult to implement because not all the material that we teach to students can be inserted humor, - especially for those who are less accustomed to articulate. But if you are able to do so, then the humor is connected with the subject matter may be regarded as a form of reinforcement that can help students to digest and retain information better in the long-term memory system.

Use relevant video or image. For the second idea, the idea may not be as difficult as the first. Simply by using the services of Google grandparent or other search engine, you can search and find a variety of videos and images necessary for the development of a sense of humor in the classroom. Video or image content does not have to be exactly identical to the material to be taught, which is important to look for the link (linked). Furthermore, sajikanlah video or image in the class attractive. Try after after delivery, ask the students to reflect on the show, was associated with the material being taught.

Do it at the right time and situation. Develop a sense of humor does not have to do all the time learning, because you're not in class buffoon. Serve your sense of humor when your students need it. For example, when students begin to show signs of saturation or noisy in class. Try not to repeat the same topic of humor in the same class, if you repeat it, not the students' excitement to be gained, but instead may be something that is boring and annoying.

Convey ethically and not harassing students. Interaction between teachers and students is educational interaction. Therefore, when you want to convey humor in the classroom must remain within the framework of education, both in terms of content and mode of delivery. Avoid crude humor and redistributed, and avoid a form of humor that can hurt self-esteem, especially students, though the humor was very funny and can invite the most people to laugh and have fun.

Easy to understand and adjust to the developmental level of students. A teacher trying to develop a certain humor in the classroom, which he said was very funny humor, but it turns out the reaction of the students even flat course. Very likely this is due to the humor content is too high making it difficult to be digested by the students' minds. Therefore, choose the observant humor content in accordance with students' comprehension and developmental levels of students.

That's my simple ideas and experiences on how to develop a sense of humor in the classroom. Of course there are many other clever ideas and thoughts of you, and let's discuss in the comments that have been provided to enrich our understanding of how to develop a sense of humor in the classroom and create a more enjoyable class.