Dominique Russell

It’s well known that physical activity can positively impact students’ health and wellbeing. But what do students enjoy about PE lessons? How could certain aspects of PE lessons be improved? New research explores student views on PE and sports days. In this article, we find out more from the lead researcher. 

How are you engaging students in STEM subjects and empowering them to choose a career in STEM? These are the aims of the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge, and the 2025 winners have been announced today. Find out more in today’s article. 

The Walton Family Foundation partnered with Gallup to find out how US teachers are using AI tools in the classroom and the potential for it to save time. Over 2,200 K-12 teachers responded to a survey in April 2025. Here’s a snapshot of some of the findings on how frequently teachers use AI for 9 different tasks, and how many save time by doing so.

The past few years have been a challenging time for school leaders around the world. In this episode of The Research Files, Dominique Russell is joined by Michelle Striepe to discuss her and her colleagues’ research into what school leaders have learned from leading during crises – including a 3-prong approach they utilised – and how they can be more resilient for future crises. 

What do you love about teaching? In the Teacher magazine annual reader survey, we asked you what you love about your role. Here, we share some responses we received from primary school educators.

Staff and students at Adelaide Botanic High School have been using EdChat, a generative AI tool developed by the South Australia Department for Education, since 2023. In today’s article, principal Sarah Chambers shares examples of how the tool is being used by students to support learning, and by staff to reduce workload. 

Each cycle of the global Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) includes a student questionnaire. One questionnaire topic – effort and persistence in mathematics – is essential for students’ success and skill development. The data provide useful prompts for teachers when considering their own students.

Schools across Australia are marking Children’s Book Week this week, and library spaces are at the heart of the celebrations. They’re a hub of expertise throughout the year, supporting teaching and learning. In this article, we share new research findings about their evolving role.

To encourage students to read, it’s important they have access to books that appeal to their interests. This infographic shares the most popular fiction and non-fiction genres of ebooks borrowed by students in primary, secondary and upper secondary. 

Transitioning to formal schooling, and from primary to secondary school, is a big change for students. New research shines a light on the impact of student absenteeism during these transition years, and recommends primary and secondary schools work together to support attendance. We’re joined by the study’s lead author to find out more.