Funny teachers can make classes more enjoyable—if their jokes land

Instructors cracking a joke here and there could make students feel better about the class as a whole, according to new research from the University of Georgia published in the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. Unlike lectures with packed auditoriums, smaller lab courses can make it easier for teachers and students to get to know each other. A few jokes during class could help students feel more relaxed and eager to participate, the new study suggests.