Glenn Beck is more interesting than my college professors. They operate in much the same way: delivering hour long sermons in front of a chalkboard, citing history, making inferences, theorizing and pontificating. But when Beck lectures, I can’t change the channel, and when my professors lecture, it’s a struggle to stay focused. I’m not the only one. I see countless students looking at pictures of themselves on Facebook in the middle of class—narcissism for the 21st century.

Mostly I don’t blame the stupeWiFied among us. It’s not their fault that lectures are often dry. I’ve heard countless professors warn “the material is a little boring today.” Beck, on the other hand, never starts a show by apologizing for its content, but he launches into his lesson as if it is the most important of the semester.

I’ve always thought that you can learn a lot from anything. You can learn about youth culture from “Jersey Shore.” You can learn about the human psyche by watching commercials for diet pills. You can learn about sunburns from falling asleep on the beach.

And yes, you can learn a whole lot from Beck. I’ve learned that anger and fear are two of the most powerful emotions, and individuals like Beck are not afraid to manipulate them to further an agenda. I’ve learned that people value abstractions over facts, they sometimes need a common enemy to feel united, and they enjoy controversy.

But the most important lesson I’ve learned from Beck is that people just want to be entertained.

Beck’s talent is the screed, the harangue, the tirade, and I’m not saying that’s what professors should adopt. But how about a little fun?

Professors don’t need to go all “Dead Poet’s Society” on their students and make them stand up on their desks. But they could make better use of narrative, exposition, comedy, and creatively structured lectures. Have guests in class. Ask students their opinions. Assign short, compelling readings.

There’s a great Beck clip where he talks about going to Columbia with his daughter, a prospective student, who was embarrassed to be seen with him. “So, I’m looking down and all I see are these people … they painted their shoes green, and they’re wearing green. And then I see a tip of orange right here. And I said, ‘Where the hell am I?’ And she said, ‘Dad, you are in the middle of a carrot farmer protest right now.’”

It’s a great anecdote, even though it’s probably false. It’s great because it entertains and educates. By telling the story, Beck is trying to make top-tier universities look silly, even though my experience is just the opposite. A little silliness, light-heartedness, and passion would go a long way toward making lectures must-see viewing. Just like Glenn Beck.