Abstract
The literature review is based on the idea that positive emotions effect learning of pupils and students favourably. Humour is one of the important devices for creating positive emotions.
The study describes a variety of forms of humour, as distinguished from irony, satire and sarcasm. The study concentrates on the use of humour in on-line learning.
It summarizes the present knowledge about the impact of humour on students, on relationships between students, on perception of the teacher by students, on relationships between the teacher and students in on-line learning, on conditions of learning and on climate of the „virtual classroom“. Samples of humour are presented to exemplify how elements of humour can be integrated into e-learning materials.
A special section is devoted to methods (qualitative, quantitative and mixed) of assessing humour and on its impact on learning. The study also warns against inappropriate use of humour in instruction.