... feeling excited, investigating learner's part (7)
I believe the answer is:
atingle
'feeling excited' is the definition.
'investigating learner's part' is the wordplay.
'part' indicates a hidden word.
'ATINGLE' is hidden in the letters of 'investigating learners'.
(Other definitions for atingle that I've seen before include "shivery" , "feeling prickly" , "Feeling thrilled" , "quivering with delight?" , "Being excited" .)