My playlist is an eclectic collection of tools that help me approach my work as play. Here’s another of my favorites, the Curiosity app, which sparks new ideas and connections.
Object: Making learning a regular habit with the Curiosity app.
What Didn’t Work: Trying to remember to take time daily to learn something, spending the time I might have spent learning searching for quality material, learning only about topics I sought out rather than material that might stretch beyond my comfort zone
My Aha! Moment: When I visit classrooms, I love to read the list on the board of all that’s in store for the day. As students arrive in the morning, they stop, read the list, smile over the parts of the day that appeal to them, make a face over the parts that will be a challenge, and after they’re done, they nod. The day’s work is accepted.
Honestly, I miss having a teacher lay out a learning plan for my day. Don’t get me wrong, I love the post-school freedom choose my areas of passion and focus. But I miss the richness of being introduced to ideas and topics I wouldn’t naturally seek out. Divergent thinking is an essential part of creativity. When my exploration narrows to the areas of my current expertise, I can find myself also feeling stuck.
The Curiosity app provides a few articles each day to stretch your thinking in new ways.
How I Play:
- I have a collection of reading material apps, all organized in one folder on my phone. When I need a brain break, I open the one that appeals most at the moment. Often, I choose Curiosity because I know I’ll learn about something unexpected.
- When I find an article I love, I pass it to Milanote, my new favorite creative thinking and note organization app. Then, I can add the information to a visual idea board that can spark future ideas or connections.
Player’s Notes:
- I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I find an engaging (and helpful) tool like this one, I set a bunch of expectations for myself. Oooh! I think. I’ll add a reminder to my to do list and make sure to check this tool once a week. Then, I’ll truly take advantage of all of this amazing material. I went down that path at first, but when I lightened up and just let this be a fun app to check in with every once in a while, I enjoyed it a whole lot more.
Take it to the Next Level:
- Information can easily go in one ear and out the other. If you find something that catches your attention, find ways to engage with the material. Research a little deeper, or share what you learn with someone else.
What other apps and websites stretch your thinking and spark new ideas for you? I’m always looking for excellent new tools! Share below, or tag me on Facebook or Twitter.
