Burnout: the feeling of being stressed, overwhelmed, and unprepared. We have all likely experienced it, both as students and as instructors, but many are reluctant to discuss it—despite its potentially detrimental effects. While burnout may be unavoidable, this session aims to provide simple prevention and coping strategies, focusing on humor in particular, to help. Utilizing humor in various forms in lectures, assignments, discussions, exams, and even in the syllabus can reduce the stress hormone cortisol and can release endorphins, the so-called “feel good” hormone. Studies have shown that when endorphins are released in a social setting, they promote feelings of togetherness and help with community bonding—and what better place to promote community building than in our classrooms! This session, led by two award-winning educators with a combined total of 40 years of classroom experience, will discuss the literature on the use of humor in the classroom, boosted by their own educational experience. In addition, the presentation seeks to engage participants in examples of humor through sample assignments and syllabi, and through the use of role-playing. Faculty are encouraged to bring syllabi and assignments that they wish to make more entertaining while maintaining the educational benefits.
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