How To Spark Curiosity Not Outcomes

When I was teaching, a typical lesson would mostly follow the same format: introduction, demonstration and practice, independent work and a final check against the objective. While I loved hearing the kids' questions and thoughts, we rarely had time to go off on tangents. I think we missed a lot of valuable learning because of this.

Seeing my own kids learn showed me how brilliant these tangents are. With no set outcomes, the opportunities to explore are endless. Sometimes setting off a whole new interest.

This guide explores an alternative approach: exploratory learning. It’s a powerful approach for any subject. It doesn’t require elaborate setups or lengthy sessions. It simply involves introducing a spark - a question, object, fact, anything interesting - and seeing where it leads.