Humor in tests
Why is it not a good idea to have some humorous questions on a test? I do it all the time, plus on short answer questions I tell the students "if you don't know the answer, see if you can't make me laugh, because that might be better than leaving the answer blank."
Excellent strategy, Cheryl! Susan
I insert a few humorous choices scattered throughout the test and do not see it as giving away an answer, but rather to help relax the many students who deal with test anxiety. I try to make the first few questions ones that most everybody will get correct, to build their confidence and (again) to help with test anxiety.
Hi Philip - I love it! Whenever we can inject some humor, I say "Go for it!". Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have a tendency of using humorous/silly names in the word problems of some of my math tests. examples I have used: "Willie Wynn bets on a horse ..."; "Sue U. Offen's Legal Services charged ..."; "Kenny Land is flying eastbound ..." Is it necessary to use these names? No. Do I think it helps break the stress level? Absolutely. I also use them in assignments I create, and you do get the reaction from them when they realize the comical meaning in the name.
Hi Ed!
I agree, I have often used humor. Indeed, sometimes it is the humorous answer that was correct. Neither the question nor answers were jokes or "silly", but the answer was phrased in a humorous way. Too often people take themselves too seriously. I also love to add humor in the exams if a particularly funny comment was raised in class that is relevant to the topic. It also helps the students feel the exam was "personalized" for them.
Hi Rhonda - Thanks for your post to the forum. They do come up with some hysterical responses! Gives us a good chuckle now and then. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I don't pose humorous test questions, but I have had some side-splitting responses. (Helps lighten the stress of grading exams!)
I agree some humor in a test could help with the nervous test takers feeling pressure. What about a humorous extra credit question. That may work.
It has no educational value.
In a long line of multiple-choice tests I will put in one silly choice--and always hear a few snorts when the students get there. It breaks the tension some of them are under and doesn't seem to hurt. I might add a pun or a subtle joke in a serious essay as part of the question (for example, the team of Brown & McFly--from "Back to the Future"--give information on a physics problem the students have to address). Only a few students may get it, but whether they do or don't the information is clear.
I try to use humor in the classroom but not on assessments. I feel students need to be clear that I need to know what they have and have not learned and I don't want wiggle room anywhere connected to it. This is where the line is drawn for me.
Humor keeps the stress level in check. Students appreciate the attempts to decompress.
Its funny to see when students are taking the tests and they see one of the wrong answers are a joke, they get a grin on there faces, shake there head and then answer the question.
I remember instructors using humor as well. It eased the test anxiety. I also believe it helped student have a different level of appreciation for the instructor. Some can be so serious all the time.
Hi Helen - Thanks for your post to the forum and the story about your student with test anxiety. It really can be amazing how dibilitating it can be! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
This makes them remember it better. Knida like learning the wrong thing is easier
I really like this suggestion of adding humor to the tests as they do produce so much anxiety. And I like the suggestion to use it for the 'throw away' distractor. I recently had a student (auditory learner) who had so much test anxiety that we had to put her in a separate room to take the test so that she could read and talk aloud to herself when choosing the right options. I had suggested some relaxation techniques for her to do before the tests but I think she would have responded quite well to the humor. It would build her confidence and relax her at the same time. Thank you for your input!
As an English teacher, I have my students put humor in their proposal papers
Hi, Amy,
Good point; no harm IS done if the funny question replaces one that was a giveaway anyway. And test anxiety can be a big factor for some students. I don't know that I'd do itr on every question but the relaxation that comes from a little humor does go a long way! --Gary O. Ackerman
