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The Importance of Interest Development Across STEM Learning Environments

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Abstract

Interest drives our vocations and avocations. It influences what we do and enjoy at home, at school, at work, and at play. This chapter will define interest and explore the nature of interest and learning, especially in the STEM classroom. Pedagogical recommendations are offered to educators and instructional designers based on viewing learning through the lens of interest development.

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Chart 1
A chart titled model of the information search process with columns for initiation, selection, exploration, formulation, collection, presentation, and assessment and rows for feelings, thoughts, and actions.

Kuhlthau’s (1991) 6-stage, 3-domain ISP model

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DuBoff, B. (2021). The Importance of Interest Development Across STEM Learning Environments. In: Hokanson, B., Exter, M., Grincewicz, A., Schmidt, M., Tawfik, A.A. (eds) Intersections Across Disciplines. Educational Communications and Technology: Issues and Innovations. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53875-0_6

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