The Importance of Being Interested: Adventures in Scientific Curiosity

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Similarly, problem-based learning strategies may be ideal for middle school or high school instruction, but are not as easily implemented in large-lecture courses. At that point, his shows didn’t have the primary theme of science, but there was interesting bits of evolutionary theory peppered in to his set which I’d never heard in a comedy set before. Parents know their teens’ interests and can make specific, personal connections in a way that teachers, who work with multiple students, cannot ( Hyde et al.

The Importance of Being Interested - Audible UK The Importance of Being Interested - Audible UK

Michael wants to understand what has brought people to positions where they consider reason and evidence to be propaganda. The author Robert Anton Wilson, who co-wrote The Illuminatus Trilogy, a wonderfully playful and adventurous romp through all the conspiracies there have ever been, encouraged universal agnosticism. The trick is to avoid getting a tattoo too soon, as the Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane motifs on my shoulder blades sadly attest to (and I will say no more about the Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins tattoos on my knees). In this erudite and witty book, Robin reveals why scientific wonder isn’t just for the professionals.

A seven-year-long study by Judith Harackiewicz of the University of Wisconsin and her colleagues found that college students’ interest in an introductory psychology course taken their freshman year predicted how likely they were to enroll in additional psychology classes and to major in the subject. Robin Ince is the co-creator and presenter of the BBC Radio 4 show The Infinite Monkey Cage, which has won multiple awards include the Sony Gold and Rose d'Or.

How the Power of Interest Drives Learning | KQED

Yet it’s the question that stimulates curiosity; being told an answer quells curiosity before it can even get going. Robin really goes a long way to show that and this book is beyond perfect to rekindle a curiosity in science. The time is thus ripe to consider the contribution of interest theory to new and existing K-12 and higher education policies, accreditation standards, and teacher licensure requirements. I feel like I can play my own small part in the unimaginably large game that is discovering the universe and our place within it, no matter how insignificant it may be. My own study of science has had quite the opposite effect and it is very pleasing to see this view shared and advocated so well.The comedian Robin Ince, in his role as co-presenter of the popular science show The Infinite Monkey Cage with Prof Brian Cox, styles himself as “the stupidest person in the room… not always good for the ego but very good for my education”.

The Importance of Being Interested by Robin Ince | Waterstones The Importance of Being Interested by Robin Ince | Waterstones

One study found that students who scored poorly on achievement tests but had well-developed interests in reading or mathematics were more likely to engage with the meaning of textual passages or math problems than were peers with high scores but no such interests.From the glorious appeal of the stars above to why scientific curiosity can encourage much-needed intellectual humility, this optimistic and profound book will leave you filled with a thirst for intellectual adventure.