Drumroll, please…

10. It cuts down on those pesky drool stains on the desks.

9. It’s a chance to actually use the jokes flooding your inbox…the clean ones, anyway.

8. Laughing is better than crying.

7. It may create the illusion of a sense of humor.

6. It’s good practice in case you ever decide to pursue a second career as Jimmy Kimmel’s sidekick.

5. It boosts your self esteem. (Some students may be under the impression they are required to laugh.)

4. If they do decide to throw things, laughing may impair their aim.

3. They say laughter is the best medicine…next to Xanex.

2. It’s a great opportunity to work in digs about your in-laws without them knowing (unless, of course, they happen to be attending the class).

1. Laughing makes it harder for students to discreetly check their BlackBerrys under the desk.

In all seriousness, using humor in the classroom can add immeasurable value to the students’ experience; it helps them relax, pay better attention and enjoy the learning experience. Even if your funny remarks aren’t related to real estate, they’ll still help you build credibility and increase your “likability” factor. Think about it - when was the last time you heard someone say, “No, I really don’t like him. He’s just too…funny!”

Now, as with anything, there are a few guidelines you may want to follow:

• Avoid any and all jokes where the punch line is “yo’ mama.”

• Resist the urge to resort to tired and overused phrases such as “You might be a redneck if…” Doing so may actually result in a loss of credibility.

• Carefully avoid any references to bodily functions. (Hopefully, no further explanation is needed here.)

• The “characters” in your jokes should always be race-less, non-religious members of the Green party.

• If you plan to use “physical” comedy (think banana peel), you may want to carefully review the liability policy of the venue beforehand.

Sound intimidating? Remember that anything can be a source of humor in the classroom. Simply being willing to share your own personal funniest (read: most embarrassing) moment can go a long way in building credibility and creating a shared bond of laughter between you and your students.

Now, get out there and break a leg!

Elizabeth Hurd is a freelance coursewriter and curriculum developer. For information on your specific education and training needs, call 843-442-0441 or submit a contact form to be contacted directly.