Curiosity & Learning?

CURIOSITY is, a word that I use several times a day in discussions about workplace learning.

CURIOSITY is one of the main “engines” for learning energy and success in the workplace.

Take a moment and think about yourself as a learner of a new skill or procedure. Imagine two different situations:

• You, as a HIGH CURIOSITY Learner.

• You, as a LOW or NO CURIOSITY Learner.

You might fully participate in the learning experience in either of these situations. BUT, your energy, your brain process, your personalization and your engagement in the learning experience goes WAY UP with CURIOSITY.

Sometimes, in workplace learning, we believe that the learner is motivated by the objectives of the program. But, in my experience, motivation is deeply linked to curiosity.

Yet, we often skip CURIOSITY as a key step in designing and facilitating learning - either face to face in a classroom, in a virtual setting, on the job or via an e-Learning module.

Years ago, I did a research project on how learner’s rate instructors of a technical course. The largest factor of appreciation from the learners was the ability of the instructor to either connect with their curiosity or to create an example, conversation or even a simulation that triggers your curiosity to learn.

Here are some questions that we will explore about Curiosity in the coming issues of NOTES:

• How do we talk about Curiosity for a learner or group of learners?

• Does Curiosity show on any biological level?

• Can a learner indicate their Curiosity level in an eLearning or AI learning activity that reframes the content or activities?

• What do we, as teachers or subject matter experts, need to change to pay closer attention to Curiosity?

Let’s explore CURIOSITY in the coming weeks. Could you start by sharing a comment or reaction:

Yours in Learning.

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com