This week happens to be the module containing a conversation I am having with my Communication students about Persuasive Appeals. One of my favorite discussion board projects of the year, they have to go to the web, find a persuasive technique displayed in a video, and post both the video as well as their assessment.
Every term a few new videos surprise me, but for the most part, I get to hear about how those horribly sad, abused pet videos leverage Cognitive Dissonance theory, how recruitment videos play directly into Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and how hard it is to create Expectancy Value theory in 30 seconds. We also start to discuss fallacious reasoning (especially poignant during election season as politicians unashamedly use fallacies in reasoning as a matter of course).
But my favorite infomercial of all time that is mentioned every single semester has to be Sham Wow. If you haven’t seen it, check the video (on this page) out. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself smiling along the way. And don’t be surprised if you suddenly want one either!
It is also one of the best persuasive technique examples of the Incentive Theory (sometimes known as the, “Buy Now” appeal). See, because humans really only share a few common “currencies”, if someone can play into those valued commodities effectively, an audience is often persuaded. And of all the shared currencies we have, time is about as universal as it gets. It doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are, how smart or dumb a person is, time is something that we have less of every single second, of every single day. (It’s why I have never understood why old people drive so slowly…they have so little time remaining, you’d think they would be in a hurry to get just about everywhere!…but that’s another blog.)
So in the spirit of incentives, IICE is incredibly proud to off the Connectedness Grant. Our first grant, IICE received funding so as to offer a way for an institution to fundamentally shift their infrastructure as it pertains to connection. And as the donation was for bettering connection at scale, I immediately thought of my other “hat” I currently wear as the CAO at Campus. The platform is (pretty obviously) designed to connect everyone to just about everything at a school. So I was thrilled when the CEO agreed to be the provider of the platform for this grant.
But here’s the incentive part. Yes, as you know a grant means free money. Free is good. But just as important is time! This grant cycle is only open from November 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. In other words, hurry! Act now! Time is running out!
I’d add in the, “But wait, there’s more…” routine, but that only matters if you value my team’s strategic consulting. And while I think the faculty and fellows of the institute are fantastic, you may need to wait so as to be delighted. (Fair enough.)
So, please take that persuasive appeal with the sincerity that comes from a group who wants to transform education, at scale. Please do sign up for the grant. We can’t wait to see how you intend to better connect all of your people, systems, and support.
Good luck and good learning!