The TEK Design Principles: Integrating Neuroscience and Learning Environment Research

People engage in learning in various settings and environments. This involves learning in a formal learning environment like a classroom and less formal environments such as museums and online. Interest is one of the key motivational theories and plays an important role in learning, as it can not only initiate and propel individuals to pursue an area of knowledge but also motivate them to maintain this pursuit in the long term. There has been a lack of research in the field of the design of learning spaces to support student-initiated knowledge generation. Coupled with the emerging area of neuroscience and education, this paper aims to synthesise neuroscience research with aspects of learning design to facilitate learning and interest development within a high school learning context. The Task, Environment and Knowledge Creation (TEK) design principles are proposed. Implications of the design principles are discussed.