Why Use Humor in Education? Katerina Baitinger Answers

There are many ways in which to disseminate information, Katerina Baitinger says, but few ever consider the use of humor. This is very likely because the ivory tower has always been seen as a serious place, but, for individuals looking to maximize the amount of information that the audience will retain, Katerina Baitinger recommends that lecturers take a look at why humor is an excellent resource.

According to Katerina Baitinger, one of the reasons why humor is so useful is that it helps individuals remember the material better. After all, laughter is often one of the best ways to remember information; it serves as a hook in the mind for information and will make it easier for the listener to retain and reference at a later date.

Humor is also a great way to make people feel more comfortable, says Katerina Baitinger. The comfort level in the classroom is absolutely essential to absorbing information. If students feel positively about the learning environment, they will often participate more and absorb more information.

Katerina Baitinger warns that humor can go too far, however. A professor who makes too many jokes about himself or herself can risk losing the respect of the class if it is done too often or in the wrong fashion. There is a fine line, says Katerina Baitinger, which needs to be carefully walked if humor is to be applied correctly. It is also important to ensure that any witty jokes do not accidentally offend the audience, for obvious reasons.