Limited Time Offer: Creating Urgency in the Classroom

If you turn on your TV or play an on-line video game you are instantly bombarded with advertisements: The greatest product ever, new and improved, for a limited time only. Urgency, need, want, a temptress luring us in, creating demand, steering consumerism, dominating our attention and motivation. We work, earn and produce in order to buy what these broadcasts of propaganda tell us will make our lives better. As much as a simple turn of phrase can make us 'hooked' on the latest trend or fad, these tools of persuasion however, sneaky and addicting, can also be utilized for good-to create purpose, intent and vision in any learning environment.

The most rousing and stimulating commercials are quick and to the point. Visually dynamic and verbally potent. I consider this to be the most impactful way to give directions- clear and concise with a lot of room for interpretation. But, all the while colorful and interesting and most importantly mysterious. Rather than directions of make me this, or demonstrate that, I love to just put a picture of the goal and write a 'catch phrase or by-line' to catch their attention. For instance, why do green vegetables turn a brighter green after you cook them? This was a question that covered both cells and organic compounds. The cells chloroplasts are trapped by gases blocking the chlorophyll but after heating, these gas pockets are destroyed allowing the bright pigment to come into view. A simple process actually, but by putting a before/after picture of spinach and broccoli on the board and simply writing why? created a sense of curiosity- and a day of investigation. The urgency came from a time-limit because the next class period we were going to blanch some spinach and this would solve the mystery. Students in the 1161 community (my class) like to solve these conundrums themselves. In fact when I tell them the answers they get upset with me. My motto "I am here not to teach you science, but to teach you how to teach yourselves science." This is one way I stick to this goal.

Endorsements and proclamations are also gripping and effective because with very little time they become the word worms wiggling into our brains constantly replaying the exhibit of hunger until we have to have it for satiation. In my classroom I hide clues around the room: pictures or phrases, books or artifacts that when students see them open up a dialogue and stir up interest. They always ask me "Why is this here? or Are we going to be learning about this?" I simply reply, "In due time, all will be revealed," often in a cackling voice, fingers twitching, "ha, ha, ha." This is the declaration of attainment and the promotion of lore and intrigue. Students ponder and wonder for days before they learn anything more about their purpose. They are rustled into action- and the quest begins. Hold back a key component and the adventure becomes more magical and memorable. "Aye here's the twist," I say "use this information to jump start your own investigation, answers are beckoning you all you have to do is listen."

The most critical part of any student-centered classroom is urgency. Pressure never hurt anyone. Exigency creates a safe level of competition and healthy focus to keep the community buzzing and progressing while maintaining mindful awareness. The more students collaborate, not just work together, but effectively communicate through listening and purposeful interaction, the more they identify each others needs and their own misunderstandings. The more students explain, analyze and justify information together, they more the big picture comes into focus. The more effective the imminence and instancy refuels them, sparking desire and the need to succeed. Life is not a series of fortunate, straight-forward, uncomplicated episodes, they are the brief, fleeting, impelling moments, like advertisements that suck us in and keep us motivated to learn, grow and excel. Create a quandry and they will come. Design an enigma, a riddle to ponder, a whodunit of sorts and even the simplest of tasks become spellbinding and magical.