I usually sacrifice the last five minutes of class for what I call a “real-world lesson.” I try to focus on something else than theory. I always pass out news about chemistry or try to explain something most take for granted in their lives and relate it to the lecture material.
This sounds like it could be a good idea and not just for chemistry.
We talked in class one day about the misuse of the “yelling fire” exception to the first amendment. Then two days later our state’s representative misused that exception. At the end of that class day, I let them know that and we talked about it a bit more.
Doing this on a conscious, planned level might be a good idea.
The quote is from a CHE thread.