Today, with the click of a mouse we can reach back in time to explore the meaning of an ancient text, reach deep into the mysteries of cellular life to discover its origins or reach across the globe to speak face-to-face with someone from another land.

The internet of things is the most powerful educational tool since the library at Alexandria;  or it would be if teachers could make educational content seem as compelling and exciting as celebrity photos, cat videos or the latest episodes of Game of Thrones.

(Well, maybe not as exciting.  I mean, dragons. Come on!)

You see, the trouble is, most educational content feels impersonal.  But people respond best to content that feels emotional, relevant and personal.

Why scandal, sports, astrology and revealing photos “trend” online is no mystery.  It was very important to our evolutionary success to admire the fit, observe creatures around us and tremble at danger.  Ancient storytellers taught us to keep a weather-eye out for sex or food or strange phenomena, and campfire gossip helped us laugh and bond with our communities.   (Hey, Mighty Rabbit! What have you heard about this new “fire” thing? Think there’s any future in it?)

So now we have a paradox.  Stuff that really matters today – educational content – doesn’t feel as pertinent as the primitive, gut-tickling fluff that garners millions of hits online.  I’d like to help change that.

Advertisers have long known how to tap into raw, primitive, emotions to sell their products.  Stunning pictures, rhythmic  motion, gripping music, humor, fear, a sense of want and wonder: these were among the tools I used in my earlier career as a TV writer/producer and digital marketing specialist to influence people and win many awards.

But now I’ve assigned myself a new mission: to repurpose those tools to bringing joy, insight, humor and a sense of authentic human connection to educational projects of all types.

So, whether I’m sharing jokes with international students to help them learn English, designing dynamic new visuals to make museum collections “pop,” or simply creating a visually innovative multimedia project to give perspective on a historic event, more personal, visceral teaching starts here!