Growing up, Julia Child rocked the television cooking world and Art Linkletter’s interviews with young kids kept watchers laughing from week to week. The only reality television was the evening news. Today, reality TV consumes watchers who turn in each week to see tribal trials, intercontinental races, deserts made from mystery baskets, and star wannabes singing, dancing, or whatever else the networks dream up. Instead of focusing on how teachers can possible compete for student attention in this over-stimulated world, maybe we should be looking at some of the principles used by highly watched shows.

Grab Attention

Just telling them “Today, we’re working on XYZ.” Or, referring to the ever-present unit objective written on the whiteboard ensures boredom. Every reality show starts with an attention grabber within the first two minutes. It may be a highlight of what is to come or a review of last week’s drama, either way, they quickly make a connection with the viewer.

Grab Attention, Again

Too often, we think that because we have the students’ attention at the start of a lesson, that they’re still with us 30 minutes later. No way. Ever wonder why reality TV almost always shows a “still to come” teaser before each commercial break? They need the viewer to come back both physically and mentally. How many of us actually plan ways to grab learner attention every seven or eight minutes? Oh, and just asking questions doesn’t count.

Use Engaging Visuals or Activities

Sounds simple. But, think about how many conference presentations, district meetings or even church sermons still bombard slide decks with text. One of the best presentations and most memorable presentations I ever saw had over 15 slides and less than 25 words total. Every visual made sense.

Storyboard First, Content Second

That same presentation I mentioned above had a story to tell, not just information to present. Reality TV always tells a story or follows a plan; only the characters or contestants change from season to season. Animation professionals live by this principle. They build the story before the design the characters.

Think Untraditionally, Unconventionally or Even Controversially

Ever watched a competition-based reality show and said to yourself “What were they thinking?” That’s the response the writers want. One of my English teachers in ninth grade let a pencil hang from his nose during a lesson on adverbs. I still wonder what he was thinking, but I also still remember what an adverb is and how to use it. I also remember that every kid in that class was laughing and involved in the lesson.