“Curiouser and curiouser.”-Alice, Alice in Wonderland by C.S. Lewis
This week, we were required to read
from TLNT chapter four, entitled “Designing
Lessons and Developing Curriculum with Technology,” and Tasks Before Apps chapter three, which was entitled “Curiosity: Promoting
Lifelong Learning in the Classroom.” We will begin our discussion with looking
at the later.
Chapter three of Tasks Before Apps begins with the
following statement: “Curious children are critical thinkers: they examine the
world around them closely and aren’t satisfied with simple answers” (Burns, 2018,
p. 40). Last week, the chapter from Nurturing
Young Innovators discussed how important promoting makerspaces was to
fostering innovative and creative thinking in the minds of our students.
Innovation and creativity are skills that stem from curiosity. The more curious
a child is, the more s/he is going to want to explore and learn and engage with
the material in front of them. Burns (2018) further states, “…We must honor
their interests as we spark their curiosity” (p. 41). This is an essentiality
that should be incorporated into our pedagogical practices.
The importance of fostering student
curiosity is further explained by the following: “Curious students become
critical thinkers who identify research topics and read between the lines” (p.
41). It is important to foster this mode of critical thinking if we want to allow
for our students to become creative and innovative thinkers. One way we can
start fostering curiosity is by switching from “teacher-centered methods” of
curriculum planning to “student-centered approaches,” as TLNT’s chapter four outlines for us. Maloy, et al. (2017) state: “Teacher-centered
methods convey information to students who are expected to learn and use it” (p.
82). Teacher-centered methods are curriculum and score driven, based on how
this definition is structured. This definition contrasts heavily with
student-centered approaches: “…Student-centered approaches (also called learner-centered)
methods of instruction feature students as active participants in all elements
of classroom lessons” (p. 83). When students become active participants in the classroom,
then they can become curious about the material and thereby are engaged with
the material. This is why it is also important to integrate technology into our
classrooms. Burns (2017) further states, “In teach-friendly classroom, students
are encouraged to be curious” (p. 42). This encouragement to be curious is so,
so important for the future generation of students.
As Stephen Hawking said, “Remember
to look up at the stars and not down at your feet” (“Curiosity Quotes,” n.d.).
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