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The theoretical frameworks that have guided a researcher's focus on interest, the curricular and pedagogical implications of this research, and the possibilities for future research are described. The research project in question focuses on the effects of interest and importance on attention and learning of test material through a cognitive constructivist approach. Research has suggested that in texts on high interest topics, cognitive interest may play a stronger role than seductive details in creating interest and increasing the learning of important information. One possible way of using these findings in the classroom is to build curriculum around students' questions on topics that are of interest to them. Future research should value interest as an end in itself and not simply as a means to increased learning. Future studies should also examine the relationships among interest and such constructs as motivation and engagement. (Contains 27 references.) (SLD) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** Research on Interest: Implications for Curriculum Development and Future Research Suzanne E. Wade University of Utah Paper Presented at the American Educational Research Association Symposium on Engaging Students: Implications from and for Research on Interest and Motivation Montreal, 1999 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) ...91<s document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY .1 or. TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)