TLC #016: The Attention Triangle - How To Use Curiosity To Capture and Hold Learners’ Attention
In this edition of the Learning Chronicle newsletter, we explore the concept of curiosity as one of the major drivers of capturing and holding learners attention and how to foster it.
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Welcome to all new subscribers! I am Omotayo Olorunfemi, a learning experience designer. Check out the archive for previous editions using the first link above. Welcome!!! Once again.
Learning Quote
I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious” – Albert Einstein
One Article
Curiosity is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and it plays a crucial role in the process of learning.
Curiosity is defined as a desire to know or learn something.
It is a natural human drive that leads us to seek out new information and experiences.
It is not just a passing interest but a deep-seated drive to seek out new information and experiences.
Curiosity is a vital ingredient in the learning process. It drives individuals to seek out new information and experiences, and it plays a crucial role in capturing and maintaining a learner's attention
When students are curious, they are more likely to be motivated to learn, take an active role in their own education, and retain information better.
Research has shown that curious students are more likely to be engaged in the learning process and perform better academically. For example, a study by George Loewenstein, professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, found that students who were more curious about a subject were more likely to perform better on tests related to that subject.
Another study, conducted by the University of California, found that students who were more curious were more likely to be motivated to learn, persist in their studies, and exhibit higher levels of creativity and critical thinking skills, which are part of the core skills learners need to learn to participate effectively in the 21st century and prepare for the future of work.
Curiosity has also been linked to better memory, as people tend to remember information better when they are interested in it, and a study by the University of California, San Diego, found that people who are more curious have more activity in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory and learning.
So, how can educators and learning professionals foster curiosity in their learning environments?
Encourage student-led inquiry: One of the best ways to foster curiosity in learners is to encourage them to take the lead in their own learning. This can be done by providing students with access to a wide range of resources, such as books, videos, and online resources, and allowing them to explore and investigate topics that interest them.
Use real-world examples: Another effective way to foster curiosity in learners is to use real-world examples that are relevant to their lives. According to a study published in the "Journal of Educational Psychology" (Sousa and Tomlinson, 2014), students are more likely to be engaged and curious when they can see the relevance and applicability of what they are learning. For example, when teaching about photosynthesis, a teacher could connect the topic to gardening and the importance of plants in our daily lives.
Ask open-ended questions: Asking open-ended questions is a great way of making learners curious. These types of questions encourage learners to think critically and to come up with their own answers, rather than simply recalling information from a textbook.
Use a variety of teaching methods: According to a study published in the "Journal of Educational Psychology" (Felder and Silverman, 1988), students learn best when they are presented with a variety of teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and group work. This allows students to engage with the material in different ways, which can help to spark their curiosity
Create a stimulating classroom environment: It's important to create a classroom environment that is stimulating and engaging. This can be done by using bright colours, interesting visual aids, and other elements that make the classroom more visually appealing.
Curiosity is a crucial factor in grabbing learners' attention and promoting engagement in the classroom. By providing opportunities for students to explore their interests, using real-world connections, creating a sense of mystery, encouraging questions, and using technology, teachers can effectively evoke curiosity in their students.
References:
Loewenstein, G. (1994). The psychology of curiosity: A review and reinterpretation. Psychological Bulletin, 116(1), 75-98.
Kidd, C., & Hayden, B. Y. (2016). The psychology and neuroscience of curiosity. Science, 353(6295), 377-381.
Sousa, D. A., & Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). Differentiation and the brain: How neuroscience supports the learner-friendly classroom. ASCD.
Felder, R. M., & Silverman, L. K. (1988). Learning and teaching styles in engineering education. Engineering education, 78(7), 674-681.
One Video
This one-minute plus video below by Greater Good Science Center on YouTube aptly summarises how to foster curiosity in learners
How to cultivate curiosity in your classroom
One Learning Question
What seeds are you planting today for next month?
What We Are Reading
The Observatory on Five Educational Trends for 2023
Sahil Bloom on How to Use the Eisenhower Matrix to Improve Productivity
Enterprise Viewpoint on The Main Reason E-Learning Fails and How to Fix It
That’s a wrap for this week.
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