Posted: April 27th, 2023

Discussion: Curiosity-Based Learning

Discussion: Curiosity-Based Learning. Initial Post: The initial post this week should have two parts:

Part 1: Your views and experience: Explore the connection between curiosity and learning. Include at least ONE of the following prompts in your discussion:

Is curiosity necessary for learning to occur? Explain your answer.
Describe a learning activity that you have undertaken that you feel sparked your curiosity. Did it enhance your learning?
Is adult education based on activities that spark curiosity? Explain your answer.
Part 2: Research and summarize:

Most of the studies related to curiosity-based learning reflect on children and the K-12 classroom. Review the following Ted Talk on teachers and students (children) engaging in curiosity-based learning:

Curiosity-based learningLinks to an external site.

Now reflect on how curiosity-based learning can function in adult education. Research a teaching strategy that has been used in curiosity-based learning. You will need to conduct a search on a site such as Google Scholar to see all of your choices. Summarize the strategy and discuss whether it can be used (or adapted) to spark curiosity in your future adult students. Consider the strategy in relation to one part of nursing curriculum: a course ( ie. Pediatrics) a learning opportunity (ie. classroom, lab or simulation) or a clinical situation.

Part 1: My Views and Experience

Curiosity is a fundamental human trait that plays an essential role in learning. I believe that curiosity is necessary for learning to occur because it motivates individuals to explore new ideas, seek answers to questions, and acquire knowledge. When individuals are curious, they are more engaged and motivated to learn, which helps them to retain information better. Moreover, curiosity leads to deeper learning because individuals tend to connect new information with what they already know and apply it to real-world situations.

One learning activity that sparked my curiosity was a research project in college. The project involved investigating the effects of social media on mental health. I was curious about this topic because social media was becoming increasingly popular at the time, and I was interested in understanding its impact on individuals’ well-being. Through the project, I learned about the positive and negative effects of social media on mental health, which helped me to develop a more nuanced view of the topic.

In my experience, adult education is often based on activities that spark curiosity. Adults tend to be more self-directed and motivated to learn, so they are more likely to engage in activities that interest them.

Part 2: Research and Summarize

The teaching strategy that I found for curiosity-based learning is called “problem-based learning.” Problem-based learning is a student-centered approach that involves presenting students with real-world problems and challenges to solve. Students work in groups to identify the problem, analyze the situation, and develop solutions. This strategy promotes curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Problem-based learning can be adapted to spark curiosity in nursing students, particularly in a clinical situation. For example, in a pediatrics course, students could be presented with a case study of a child with a complex medical condition. Students would then work in groups to identify the problem, analyze the situation, and develop a plan of care. This strategy would promote curiosity by challenging students to think critically and creatively to develop solutions that address the child’s unique needs.

Curiosity-based learning is a powerful approach to education that promotes deeper learning and engagement. Problem-based learning is an effective teaching strategy that can be adapted to spark curiosity in nursing students, particularly in a clinical situation.