Is Australian children’s literacy in crisis? Among teachers, academics and politicians, the consensus is largely ‘yes’ – or we’re wobbling precariously on the edge. While primary years performance tends to be strong, something happens in the transition to high school; ...
More »In The Classroom
‘World-first study’ future proofing Australian youth against mental illness
Australian students are participating in Australia’s largest-ever study of the effectiveness of mental health apps in preventing anxiety and depression in youth. Backed by the Black Dog Institute, the “world-first study” called Future Proof will be trialled in 400 schools and ...
More »More male teachers are needed, but not for reasons you might think
It’s commonly known that teaching is a feminised profession, particularly in the primary years. In fact, a University of Tasmania study found that male teachers accounted for a mere 18.26 per cent of primary school teachers, down from 30.24 per ...
More »Issue of the week: Disability education – a national disgrace? Podcast
As a society we place a lot of trust in teachers, and the idea of socialising a child hinges on the trust that a teacher – and by extension school leadership – can provide. As you can imagine, these issues ...
More »‘Reluctant teachers’: Disability commission told some are resisting diversity
The disability royal commission heard earlier today that some teachers are “resisting diversity” by not catering to the learning and behavioural needs of students with a disability. While three special education teachers told the commission that all students should be ...
More »What neuroscience can tell us about motivating students to learn
Is it possible for a teacher to “feel” the motivation of a student? The kind and intensity of motivation? It depends on the empathetic skills of the teacher. Usually the responses of the student – cognitive, behavioural and emotional – ...
More »The importance of early reading instruction
Professor Pamela Snow is head of the La Trobe Rural Health School and will soon become Professor of Cognitive Psychology in the School of Education at La Trobe. In this podcast, Snow talks about how blended reading approaches, which are ...
More »New thinking needed to help students navigate the future
I was delighted recently when, through Education Minister Dan Tehan, I was asked by COAG’s Education Council to chair a review of how to improve senior secondary pathways into training, future education and work. So, I know, were the other ...
More »Podcast: Issue of the week – ATAR overhaul?
This week NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell announced she wanted “an overhaul” of ATAR. Her decision was based on research showing the population has lost faith in it and it was causing students too much stress. As 61,000 NSW students ...
More »New play tackles youth suicide prevention
During Mental Health Month it’s important to remember that suicide is still the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15–44. One way of raising more awareness about this issue in a non-threatening way is through art and drama. This ...
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