Curiosity Is Based Thinking

Enhancing Learning Engagement with Curiosity

Matthew Murrie
4 min readJan 20

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A botanical illustration of student learning being supported by technology created using DALL-E

Curiosity is a fundamental human trait that has driven scientific discovery, technological advancements, and personal growth for centuries. But what if this innate drive to explore and understand the world around us is more than just a casual interest?

What if curiosity is the foundation of how we think and learn?

Recent research in neuroscience and psychology has begun to shed light on the connection between curiosity and learning. Studies have shown that when people are curious, their brains are more active and engaged, leading to better memory retention and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, a curious person tends to be more open-minded and willing to consider multiple perspectives, which is essential for critical thinking.

This idea that curiosity is the basis of thinking has important implications for education since traditional teaching methods often focus on providing students with information and expecting rote memorization.

But what if instead, we focused on fostering curiosity and encouraging students to ask questions and explore their own interests?

In the classroom, Curiosity-Based Thinking is a powerful tool for educators, allowing them to create engaging and effective lessons on any subject that motivate students to explore, question, think critically, and develop personal momentum.

A Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to education prioritizes student-led learning and inquiry. Rather than simply providing information, teachers act as facilitators, guiding students as they investigate and make connections. This approach would allow students to take ownership of their learning, leading to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and increased motivation to learn.

Image of a Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to Learning
Image of a Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to Learning

Image of a Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to Learning

And with the emergence of AI tools like ChatGPT for education, now is the perfect time for all teachers to transform into facilitators connecting students’ curiosities to robust learning…

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Matthew Murrie

Author of The Book of What If…?, Founder of What If Curiosity, and Creator of Curiosity-Based Thinking and Curiosity-Based Learning, turning ideas into actions.