Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0368-0579
Document Type
Book
Publication Date
Winter 1-1-2025
Department
Thayer School of Engineering
Abstract
We do our best work when we're having fun. And the world needs our best work, so we owe it to the universe to bring joy into what we do.
As teachers, we know that a joyful learning environment helps students thrive. We know that fun is an important catalyst of-not a distraction from-the rigorous work of teaching and learning.
A growing body of research supports this intuition, showing that joy helps with focus, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, perseverance in the face of challenges, and much more. By inducing the release of "happy hormones" (endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin), activities and environments that spark joy have significant cognitive benefits for learners.
Collected here are lots of little ideas for how we can all infuse a little more joy into our work. Each activity that comes from an educator who has tried it in their classroom, but these ideas can be implemented far beyond traditional academic settings: to professional conferences, workshops, organizational leadership, family gatherings, and more.
Edited and illustrated by Eugene Korsunskiy, with contributions from various authors (named within).
Original Citation
Korsunskiy, E. (Ed.). (2025). The Little Book of Joy: Tiny Ways to Infuse Delight into Teaching and Learning. Dartmouth College. https://bit.ly/joy-cards
Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation
Korsunskiy, Eugene, "The Little Book of Joy: Tiny Ways to Infuse Delight into Teaching and Learning" (2025). Dartmouth Scholarship. 4352.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/facoa/4352
Comments
A note on the title: The printed and bound version of this publication (ISBN: 979-8-218-59530-2) is titled The Little Book of Joy: Tiny Ways to Infuse Delight into Teaching and Learning. The digital, downloadable version of this publication is titled Joy Cards: Tiny Ways to Infuse Delight into Teaching and Learning. The content is identical, and the difference in title simply reflects the difference between the printed/bound book artifact, and the digital version that can be downloaded, printed, and cut into cards.