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PRINCIPLE 2:
A Research Question Should Pique learners ’ Curiosity
Namsoo Shin & Steven McGee
Copyright © 2003

What is piquing learners ’ curiosity?
Research questions work best when they are designed to be thought provoking to learners. Such questions often involve the counterintuitive, the thought provoking, and the controversial as a means of engaging learners in the sustained inquiries. They should be sufficiently open to accommodate diverse interests and learning styles and allow for unique responses and creative approaches—even ones that the teachers had not considered” (Wiggins & McTighe, 1998, p. 30). Curiosity is an important part of what researchers call intrinsic motivation. This is defined as “positive emotions toward” a subject (Deci & Ryan, 1985). For example, learners are intrinsically motivated when learning subjects of interest outside of school. In contrast, they are extrinsically motivated when the activity is done for other rewards, such as good grades, high salary, or approval (Deci, Vallerand, Pelletier, & Ryan, 1991). Intrinsic motivation is a stronger influence of learning than extrinsic motivation (Guthrie, Wigfield, Metsala, & Cox, 1999). That’s why it is important to pique curiosity.

Why is piquing learners’ curiosity important?

Piquing curiosity improves learning. Curiosity is likely to support enhanced learning and achievement because it can help to activate learners’ prior knowledge (Alexander, Kulikowich, & Jetton, 1994; Brophy, 1999; Deci, 1992; Thomas & Oldfather, 1997). Learners will then be able to make better connections with new material. As a result, learners experience increased personal growth and knowledge (Shernoff & Hoogstra, 2001; Deci & Ryan, 1985). See details in prior knowledge.

Curiosity promotes sustained effort. Curiosity not only affects what people learn, but also the intensity and duration of the learning activities (Pintrich, Roeser, & DeGroot, 1994; Vollmeyer & Rheinberg, 2000). Research proved that the persons with curiosity try hard enough to learn and put consistent effort to reach learning goals (Simon, 1967).

Curiosity fosters a positive attitude toward learning. A key aspect of fostering a positive attitude toward learning is catching the interest of learners and holding it (Dewey, 1913; Mitchell, 1993). Curiosity promotes students’ involvement in school activities that result in positive attitude toward learning. Researchers believe that curiosity gives rise to attitudes that lead to lifelong learning, the development of competence, and achievement (Shernoff & Hoogstra, 2001; Thomas & Oldfather 1997).

How does a designer promote learners’ motivation?

Gain learners’ attention. Attention, one condition of curiosity, is defined as “capturing the interest of learners and stimulating the motivation to learn” (Keller, 1987a, p.2).

Using visual materials. Researchers suggest that designers have to use varying visual materials (e.g., film, video, print) in instructions to gain learners’ attention. The visual representations of important ideas stimulate learners’ curiosity and encourage their involvement in learning (Turner, 1992).

Using misconception. When learners faced with evidence that what they believe to be true is, in fact, false and a misconception, learners often are interested in resolving the discrepancy (Bergin, 1999). Research found that these stimuli are likely to attract attention and hold learners’ engagement after the novelty effect wore off (Bergin, 1999).

Enhance relevance. Researchers state that relevance is determined to be the most important motivational strategy that stimulates learners’ curiosity in trying to comprehend subjects (Means, Jonassen & Dwyer, 1997; Keller, 1987b, p.7). Relevance can be defined as “meeting the personal needs/goals of the learner to effect motivations” (Keller, 1987a, p.2). Motivation may be optimized when the learning goals and activities have some relevance to learners’ personal lives (Brophy, 1999).

Using authentic context. Instruction needs to focus on content that is at least potentially relevant to learners and applicable to their lives outside of school. Designers should use practical everyday materials such as: newspapers, magazines, reference books, maps, and globes. Relevant media, examples, or case studies are needed to incorporate into the lessons for increasing the relevance of the content to the learners’ present experience and future expectations (Turner, 1992).

Encourage learners’ confidence. Confidence is defined as “the learners’ positive expectancy of success” (Keller & Kopp, 1987, p.294). Learners’ confidence can influence their persistence and motivation. The strategies for confidences have to be designed to help learners believe that a reasonable level of success is possible if they put forth the effort (Shellnut, Knowlton, & Savage, 1999).

Using familiar context. Research findings suggest that information should be introduced to learners using a familiar context (Fleming, 1993; Park & Hannifin, 1993; Keller, 1987a).

Stating clear learning goals. Research recommends that stating learning goals clearly is one way to increase learners’ confidence. In addition, instructions have to allow access to learning objectives when learners need. (Keller, 1987a; Shellnut, Knowlton, & Savage, 1999).

Providing self-evaluation tools. Self-evaluation tools provide learners opportunities to master some of the content in low-risk conditions. Research has found that this strategy increases learners’ confidence and motivation because self-evaluation tools permit learners to perceive that they are gaining knowledge, learning skills, and becoming competent (Hogan, & Pressley, 1997).

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