Why Students Tune Out and How Story Can Bring Them Back

Описание: In a world of constant distraction, how do teachers actually hold student attention?

In this episode, Sarah Willis explores how storytelling, curiosity, and open loops can transform student engagement. Drawing from neuroscience, classroom experience, and narrative structure, she explains why stories work, how boredom plays a role in mastery, and how teachers can design lessons that students lean into instead of tuning out.

This episode breaks down how unresolved tension, mystery, and conflict can be used intentionally in lessons to build classroom culture, increase motivation, and support long-term learning rather than instant gratification.

This episode is for teachers, educators, and anyone interested in learning how attention works and how storytelling cuts through distraction in the classroom.

In this episode, we cover:
Curiosity and open loops in learning
Storytelling as a tool for student engagement
Building classroom culture through narrative
The role of boredom in mastery
The neuroscience of attention in students
Practical strategies to engage distracted learners
Delayed gratification vs instant rewards
Using conflict and mystery in lessons
Teaching with passion and authenticity

Timestamps:
00:00 – Engaging students with curiosity
00:29 – The power of unresolved tension
00:59 – Storytelling to increase engagement
01:28 – Dialogue and open loops
02:24 – Character motivation in lessons
03:19 – Storytelling and classroom community
04:19 – Aligning stories with lesson themes
05:00 – Romance and metaphors in education
06:00 – Drama in lessons
06:27 – Storytelling in STEM
08:26 – Making material fun and relevant
09:20 – Game-like strategies in learning
10:16 – Long-term thinking through storytelling
11:14 – Stories and attention capture
12:12 – Storytelling as a teaching tool
13:10 – Embracing storytelling and resilience

#Podcast #WillisUnscripted #Teaching #Education #TeacherLife #StudentEngagement #Storytelling #Attention #LearningScience #Neuroscience #ClassroomCulture #TeachingStrategies #Educators #InstructionalDesign #Mindset