Learning through Laughter: Humor and its Effects on Student Enjoyment & Engagement in Research Classroom

Abstract

This study aims to see the role of humor and the students' views on the lecturer's humor and its effect on engagement. Engagement is the drive from within the individual to get involved, and enthusiasm in every activity is proven by action. Several emotional variables influence engagement in students. This study aims to identify the effect of humor on student engagement in the classroom and the mediating effect of student enjoyment towards the proposed relationship. This study was conducted on 217 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The samples are selected using systematic sampling. This study was conducted using descriptive questionnaires. The data analysis in this research uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through the Analysis of Moment Structure tools (AMOS). The findings show that students are optimistic about the applicability and appropriateness of humor in teaching and learning. The findings found that student enjoyment mediates the relationship between humor and student engagement. This means emotions have an evaluation relationship with learning and performance. The implications and recommendations are also highlighted.