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2.1
Promoting Curiosity
Submitted by Jack Byrd, Jr.
This activity illustrates how curiosity can be enhanced by the use of prompts to exercise the mind. These prompts are designed to explore dimensions of an issue which may not be evident upon initial review.
Learning Goals
Practice using curiosity prompts to expand how we see an issue.
Understand the value of reframing narratives of problems into narratives of possibility.
Instructions
Set Up: Prepare for the Activity
Organize participants into pairs or small groups (3-5 ppl).
Begin by introducing the learning goals of this activity.
Step One: Introduce Curiosity Prompts (10 min)
Developing curiosity requires a mental workout similar to the physical workout that many people follow. The practice of being curious is a daily activity. The basic building blocks to becoming curious are to keep these 4 prompts in mind and use them in thinking about everyday encounters:
What if…
Think about…
Can we imagine…
Why is that true?
In small groups, try out these prompts on a familiar topic. This may be a topic relevant to your class or community.
Provide an article or headline and then invite each group to use the first curiosity prompt to explore the topic. Each group should identify a recorder who will capture “What if…” statements.
Encourage the groups not to discuss or critique contributions. Instead, the goal is to generate a broad list of “What if…” possibilities on the topic.
Step Two: Practice Curiosity Prompts (20 min)
Develop similar bulleted lists for the other three curiosity prompts. Again, suspend critical judgment. If time is limited, select only one or two curiosity prompts.
Step Three: Develop Curiosity Questions (20 min)
Once the lists are complete, ask participants to develop curiosity questions that combine similar items from each of the lists. The curiosity question would expand possibilities. It may begin with “Would it be possible to…” or “Wouldn’t it be amazing if…”
Invite the groups to create at least three curiosity questions.
Step Four: Debrief as a Full Group (10 min)
Reconvene as a large group and invite each small group to share one curiosity question. Discuss:
What common themes are emerging across our lists or curiosity questions?
Which curiosity prompt was most helpful in thinking about the issue in new ways? Why?
How important was working with others for this activity? Would you have had equal results if completed alone? How important are others in promoting curiosity?
TIME
60
min
MODULE
Creative Collaboration
This activity can be completed by any discussion group.
This activity can be easily modified for asynchronous learning. See Sample Asynchronous Certificate Program Design to illustrate sample sequencing.
This activity can be used to support facilitation skills. See Sample Facilitation Certificate Program Design to illustrate sample sequencing.
This activity can be easily modified to serve as an introductory exercise and completed in less than 10 minutes.
Tell us what you think. Rate and review this activity:
Have any helpful suggestions or modifications for this activity?
Share them in the comments below!
0 Comments
August 4, 2023 at 8:01:22 PM
August 4, 2023 at 8:00:59 PM
August 1, 2023 at 9:06:20 PM
July 28, 2023 at 4:21:21 AM
July 28, 2023 at 3:41:22 AM
July 28, 2023 at 3:34:28 AM
Don Waisanen
July 26, 2023 at 10:48:23 PM
An essential tool for the development of collaborative, inclusive, and informed communication strategies!
July 26, 2023 at 6:24:34 PM
July 26, 2023 at 6:22:30 PM
Sovi Herring
July 24, 2023 at 7:32:57 PM
I really enjoyed watching students collaborate with this activity. In hindsight, I think adding more personal/every day examples for them to engage with would have produced more results (and despite some of the slides they wanted to work as one large group) and it worked out well. If we had more time they were willing to keep discussing potential positive and negative outcomes, especially after recalling the stakeholder activity. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SPUtoRMDZ0Zkv32ShmDxt1QKNnH9gwox?usp=sharing