When the element of surprise fosters learning

Abstract

At the 2015 AQPC symposium in Saguenay, the Editor-in-Chief had registered for an intriguing workshop titled “Pedagogy of the Unexpected.” She found herself in a room filled with strands of miniature lights, intriguing models and peculiar installations that helped her easily understand the process of synaptic transmission in neurons. The workshop fascinated her, threw her off balance and pulled her outside her comfort zone, which made her want to meet the speakers to learn more about their teaching methods that harness the element of surprise, curiosity and humour as sources of motivation to promote learning.