A Conversation about Curiosity
I acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay my respects to the Elders both past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal Australia. We must always remember that under the concrete and asphalt this land is, was and always will be traditional Aboriginal lands.
A Conversation about Curiosity
Imagine a world where everyone was constantly learning; a world where what you wondered was most interesting than what you knew, and curiosity counted for more than certain knowledge.’
The Clue Train Manifesto (Locke, Weinberger, Levine, Searles) p. 230
Curiosity is vital to the work placed learner. Learning and Development teams across the globe ponder the development of strategies to engage the learner through a variety of tools. Employees are often not engaged.
What makes you curious?
Adults in work places often report the importance of guiding their own learning. The ability for e learning options to be interactive and self paced is a vital part of an engaged learning environment.
What makes you take the first step into learning?
What ignites your strong desire to know?
I have always been a curious person. As a learner I prefer to investigate and explore concepts in order to understand them. I am inquisitive by nature. I like to talk through my understandings and often realise what it is that I know through the act of speaking. In my own learning speaking, yarning and sharing helps me transition from the unknown to the known.
In my lifetime, the explicit teaching of curiosity was one of my most precious gifts. Soon after an innovative history teacher put down his chalk and his didactic tone and sat down beside me to offer me choices in my learning, I was hooked. At this moment, in a Tasmanian classroom in the early 80’s, I discovered a learning that was based on my personal interests and preferences.
As time progressed I fuelled my desire for valuing curiosity more than certain knowledge through open ended learning and creative arts learning. I intentionally sought learning pathways that inspired innovation, inquiry and the notion of constantly learning. I learnt how to wonder.
‘Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English); 'now I'm opening out like the largest telescope that ever was! Good-bye, feet!' (for when she looked down at her feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so far off).
The wondering came early. I remember my mother reading Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass to me at the age of seven. l recall the impact this passage had on my imaginative world. I remember the chaotic mind’s eye image of Alice shooting up into the sky. I remember wondering what is this word called telescope? What is it to be curious and curiouser? I remember the intoxicating intensity of it all. It was thrilling. I was filled to brimming with the incredible desire to know; to discover, to ask. I was desperate to hold that golden key and enter that garden door. I remember the inner world that these words evoked and the ongoing conversations that I have had with curiosity and the curious ever since.
In the workplace context, manager’s can converse with team members about the possibilities of developing their sense of curiosity about their work. Team leaders can pose to their colleagues what is nebulous about their work? What aspects of their working life spark their imagination? What is it that they wonder about at work?
In his writing on Seductive Interactive Design, Stephen Anderson describes web based learning that is playful, creative and powerful. He links sharing and reflection with a plethora of possibilities in the elearning space. In this brave new world, play in learning is made possible and creativity and curiosity is counted more than certain knowledge. Learning by failing and having the courage to discover through play at work provide safe environments to learn.
Are you curious about what is possible in the e-learning space?
Has your play led to more possibilities than you had imagined?
Have you failed and made mistakes and discovered more about your workplace through these discoveries?
In further blog posts I would like to explore how curiosity can relate to the formal 10 of the 70:20:10 framework. It is my hope that through conversations, discussions, trial and error and a healthy respect for the dialogues of the curious, together, we can help you find your golden key, your garden and your open door.
Sarah Jane Moore
Curiosity Consultant.
