This article is fascinating: we learn when curious, curiosity releases dopamine and activates the memory. The trick is to invoke curiosity; best by intrinsic motivation although the paper suggests implications to broaden applications in education.
The more curious we are about a topic, the easier it is to learn information about that topic. New research provides insights into what happens in our brains when curiosity is piqued. The findings could help scientists find ways to enhance overall learning and memory in both healthy individuals and those with neurological conditions.
Source: How curiosity changes the brain to enhance learning — ScienceDaily