ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED HUMOR USER Melvin Smith Ph

ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED HUMOR USER Melvin Smith, Ph. D Case Western Reserve University #Ao. M 2016

#Ao. M 2016 Using Humor in the Classroom Melvin L. Smith, Ph. D. Weatherhead School of Management Case Western Reserve University #Ao. M 2016

My personal philosophy on using humor in the classroom… … for what it’s worth. #Ao. M 2016

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The goal is this… #Ao. M 2016

. . . not this. Remember… you’re not trying to be a standup comedian #Ao. M 2016

#Ao. M 2016 You also have to understand who your audience is

Humor in the classroom is most effective when it supports the learning rather than being just about getting the laugh. Examples… #Ao. M 2016

Humor in the classroom is most effective when it supports the learning rather than being just about the laugh. Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the main reason I have trust issues. #Ao. M 2016

Leadership Lessons from Dilbert… #Ao. M 2016

Involve students in creating a humorous classroom climate #Ao. M 2016

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Avoid humor that comes at someone else’s expense… #Ao. M 2016

Be careful of humor that might offend someone This includes… • Personal attacks • Comments/jokes directed at protected classes (e. g. , race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc. ) • Edgy, controversial or polarizing subjects (e. g. , sex, politics) #Ao. M 2016

Overusing humor can potentially lead to a loss of control and/or take you off task #Ao. M 2016

#Ao. M 2016 So, give it a try.

Be yourself #Ao. M 2016