Laughing and Learning: An Alternative to Shut Up and Listen

In Laughing and Learning, leadership consultant and university professor Peter M. Jonas explores the ways in which humor can enhance the learning environment. Drawing upon empirical research and brain-based concepts, Jonas presents a theoretical model of humor, along with practical examples for use in schools and classrooms. Jonas demonstrates that humor is a natural and fundamental activity that teachers and administrators need to utilize properly to maximize their effectiveness.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Laughing and Learning: Not Laughing OR Learning Chapter 2 Humor Builds Culture in Schools and Classrooms Chapter 3 Humor Improves Classroom Instruction Chapter 4 Humor Builds Relationships and Teamwork Chapter 5 Humor Improves Communication Chapter 6 Humor Reduces Tension and Stress Chapter 7 Humor Promotes Creativity and Divergent Thinking Chapter 8 Humor Can Help Adjust Student Behavior Chapter 9 Humor Helps teachers Maintain Interest at Work Chapter 10 Conclusion

About the Author :
Peter M. Jonas is chair of the Doctoral Leadership Studies Department and professor at Cardinal Stritch University, teaching graduate level courses in research, history, and leadership. He has served as a college professor, educational consultant, speaker, and author for more than thirty years, becoming well known for his sense of humor and lectures on humor.

Review :
If you want your ideas to 'stick,' if you want to institutionalize values, beliefs, and outcomes, then Laughing and Learning will revitalize the way you lead and learn. Peter Jonas, author of Secrets of Connecting Leadership and Learning with Humor, has done it again with Laughing and Learning. Using research, theory, and a practical step-by-step guide, he demonstrates how learning can be maximized with a light heart, good humor, and carefully selected strategies. While this book is a scholarly pursuit of learning excellence, it is written with, wouldn't you know it, humor! His engaging style and creative examples will have you head-nodding, belly-laughing and most importantly thinking critically about your application as a school leader or teacher. In this era of oh-so-serious school reform, Jonas is shouting, 'Lighten up, people! Learning should be, can be, and must be fun again!' Laughing and Learning is in touch with how the brain naturally learns. In referencing relevant research to practical examples of how humor promotes learning, the author describes educational practices that support physiological wellness, productive social-emotional relationships, and the disposition to be creative and curious. Jonas (Cardinal Stritch Univ.) investigates the numerous ways humor can be used to make learning and presentations more exciting. To craft ideas into a cohesive and practical model Jonas uses existing empirical research and anecdotal data. Supporting data concerns a myriad of topics like when and how to use humor, what people think of those who teach using it, how different genders perceive humor, and what kind of humor is appropriate for which educational settings. Jonas offers a number of "action steps," each of which is then supported by research and followed by practical examples and suggestions for application. This book is well researched, and Jonas has scoured numerous studies in order to weave them into an easy to read "how to" book. He also incorporates some of the latest research on brain-based learning....Educators at all levels will leave this work with a better understanding of how using humor has the potential to change a school's learning and working environment, as well as the interpersonal relationships therein. Recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduate students, and above.