The 1883 eruption of Krakatau in Southeast Asia created the loudest sound ever reported. This tidbit might lead you to ask your students: “What do you imagine a volcanic eruption sounds like?” Watch as 28 kids’ faces light up—you’ve got their attention. But is this information relevant to your upcoming geology lesson about volcanoes? ⁣ ⁣ When teachers infuse lessons with interesting but irrelevant information—known as seductive details—research shows it decreases student learning, writes Kripa Sundar, PhD, a researcher and education consultant. This might be because seductive details can distract students from essential content, dilute their attention with too much information, or confuse them by calling up irrelevant prior knowledge, says Sundar. ⁣ ⁣ Based on her analysis of more than 50 research studies, here are three tips from Sundar for navigating the use of attention-grabbing details in your lessons: ⁣ ⁣ 1. Use restraint: It’s OK to occasionally use fun seductive details, like a...