ERIC Number: EJ1355074
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Jul
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1531-2542
EISSN: EISSN-1530-7131
Spark: Students Describe Curiosity and Passion for Learning
Roberts, Linds West; Keller, Cynthia Rain; Welsh, Megan E.
portal: Libraries and the Academy, v22 n3 p613-630 Jul 2022
This article explores the connection between curiosity and feelings of joy in information seeking. The authors interviewed 41 transfer students about their transition to their new campus. As part of the interviews, the investigators asked students to describe a time when they felt curious or excited to learn more about something. The researchers found that emotions were inherently connected to students' curiosity and identified patterns among students' descriptions of curiosity. The themes included excitement in discovering the resources of a large academic library; interest in ideas; curiosity inspired through hands-on learning experiences, such as labs, study abroad, or internships; and curiosity initiated by connecting with personal values or relevance to life or career. Curiosity was also sparked through a mixture of these modalities. This range of curiosity suggests an array of connection points for librarians to support students engaged in information seeking. The authors note implications for librarians who work with students across this curiosity spectrum.
Descriptors: Student Attitudes, Personality Traits, Psychological Patterns, College Transfer Students, Academic Libraries, Experiential Learning, Student Experience
Johns Hopkins University Press. 2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Tel: 800-548-1784; Tel: 410-516-6987; Fax: 410-516-6968; e-mail: jlorder@jhupress.jhu.edu; Web site: https://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/list
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A