Using iPads to collect and track data in real time has helped educators in western Sydney develop an early intervention program for children entering Kindergarten.

The research tells us that one of the most significant influencers of student learning outcomes is the quality of teaching. Which, of course, raises the critical question: what is good quality teaching? 

The Excellence in Professional Practice Conference 2014 features dozens of presentations and workshops celebrating the successes of school educators.

We all know that our best teaching and learning programs respond to the prior knowledge and experiences of students, but how can we ensure personally tailored and responsive programs extend across a whole school?

Do you think game-thumbing young people are stupid, antisocial zombies, while skaters are just, well, stupid, antisocial teenagers on skateboards? It might be time to think again.

If we over-inflate our students’ self-esteem, we run the risk that the air will quickly come out of the balloon when they hit the wide world, says Stephen Dinham.

Research shows that professional learning has a powerful effect on the skills and knowledge of teachers. The tricky question is how to measure the impact of that professional learning on classroom practice and, as a result, on student learning.

No school playground can ever be 100 per cent safe, but there’s plenty your school can do to make your playground as safe as possible. Steve Holden reports.

If we really want to improve student achievement we need to focus on the person who closes the classroom door and performs the teaching act – the teacher - but to do that we need to open classroom doors.

Wendy Wills considers some of the practicalities schools need to address when planning and overseeing the construction of new buildings or other facilities.