Have you ever looked around your classroom, taken one deep breath, and started a lesson with…
“Today we’re going to learn about infection control…”
…only to be greeted by a room full of blank stares?
Yep. I’ve been there.
After more than 27 years teaching Nurse Aide, PCT, and Health Science students, I’ve learned something important:
Students don’t remember lessons because we announced the objective. They remember lessons because we made them curious first.
Think about the movie trailers you watch.
They don’t tell you the entire story.
They give you just enough to make you think…
“Wait…what happens next?”
That’s exactly what we should be doing before we teach.
Why Creating Hype Matters
When students become curious before the lesson even begins, something changes.
Instead of waiting for information, they’re looking for answers.
Instead of passively listening, they’re actively making connections.
Creating anticipation helps students:
- Pay attention from the very beginning.
- Connect new information to what they already know.
- Stay engaged longer.
- Remember concepts more easily.
- Participate with confidence because they’re invested.
In healthcare education, this is especially important.
Our students aren’t simply memorizing vocabulary.
They’re preparing to care for real people.
The more invested they are in the lesson, the more meaningful that learning becomes.
So...How Do You Create Hype for Your CNA or PCT Lessons?
The good news?
You don’t need expensive technology or elaborate lesson plans.
Sometimes a two-minute lesson hook is all it takes.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to build excitement before introducing new content.
Start With a Mystery
Instead of telling students today’s topic…
Show them something.
Place an object on your desk.
Display a close-up photo.
Show part of a piece of equipment or equipment used during a skill.
Then simply ask:
“What do you think today’s lesson is about?”
Imagine walking into class and seeing:
- a bottle of hand sanitizer
- a thermometer
- a gait belt
- a bottle of thickener
- a magnified view of a body part
Immediately, students begin making predictions.
Now you’ve got their attention.
Tell a Resident or Patient Story
Healthcare is full of stories.
Instead of introducing a lesson with definitions, introduce it with a patient.
For example:
“Mrs. Thompson rang her call light three times this morning. She seems frustrated and refuses her breakfast. What do you think is happening?”
Now your students have a reason to learn about communication, nutrition, safety, or dementia care.
People remember stories.
For more information on “story telling”, visit:
5 Teaching Strategies for Auditory Learners: Helping CNA and PCT Students Learn by Listening
Create a Challenge
Students love solving problems.
Before teaching a new concept, present a challenge.
Interpret a scenario.
Identify what’s wrong in a picture.
Guess what happened.
The goal isn’t to get everything right.
The goal is to make them curious enough to want the answers.
Make Them Move
Movement wakes up the brain.
One of my favorite ways to increase engagement is getting students out of their seats.
Try:
- Write the Room (pictured)
- Gallery Walks
- Scavenger Hunts
- Matching Games (sorting activities)
- Mystery Stations
Movement transforms learning from something students watch into something they experience.
Bring in a Little Drama
Healthcare can be dramatic.
Use that to your advantage.
Walk into class dressed as an unprofessional health care worker.
Play a patient call light sound.
Pretend to answer a phone call from a nurse.
Have a volunteer suddenly “become” your patient.
Within seconds, students are wondering what’s going on.
Congratulations.
You’ve created hype.
Remember...
Creating hype doesn’t mean creating chaos.
It simply means giving students a reason to care before the lesson begins.
Even five minutes of anticipation can completely change the energy in your classroom.
I’ve discovered that when students are curious first, the teaching becomes easier, discussions become richer, and learning lasts much longer.
And honestly…
Teaching becomes a whole lot more fun for us too.
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