Video gaming and non-academic internet use can improve student achievement, but moderation and timing are key, according to a new Australian study by researchers from the University of Southern Queensland and UNSW Sydney.

Libby Renton, a Year 6 teacher, Upper Primary Coordinator and Integrated Studies Coordinator at Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne has penned a review of British novelist, Kate Atkinson’s Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

At Auburn Girls High School in Auburn, New South Wales, students are supported to achieve the high expectations teachers hold for them. Here, Principal Anna Tsoutsa shares how the school has developed and sustained this culture of high expectations.

Large scale research into school break times suggests relatively simple changes to daily routines could drastically reduce teachers’ exposure to UV radiation and risk of skin cancer. Ben Dexter tells Teacher more about the findings.

It’s no surprise that a teacher’s self-efficacy has a huge impact on their classroom teaching. But what aspects of work as a beginner teacher has an influence on how perceived self-efficacy develops? A research report has looked into this and we discuss the findings in this podcast episode.

What should Australian schools and teachers focus on in order to improve students’ general understanding of mathematics and science? In her final Teacher column of the year, Dr Sue Thomson explores newly released TIMSS 2019 data to highlight some of the strengths and weaknesses of Australian students at the national level.

Andreas Schleicher – Director for Education and Skills at the OECD and long-time Teacher columnist – joins us from Paris for this episode to give his take on all things 2020, talk about the longer term impacts of the school shutdowns and share how different education systems have responded to the pandemic restrictions.

In Strong Foundations: Evidence informing practice in early childhood education and care, Associate Professor Anna Kilderry and Honorary Professor Bridie Raban lead a team of 34 contributors, sharing knowledge and insights from research and links to everyday practice. This exclusive extract for Teacher readers discusses the ‘Principles of quality assessment’.

The annual Youth Survey Report from Mission Australia shows young people in Australia are becoming increasingly concerned about equity and discrimination, and remain affected by stress levels and mental health. Here, we look at the survey findings which detail the experiences of over 25 000 young people in 2020.

Working with colleagues to assess and moderate student work enables teachers to make consistent judgements of achievement and progress. In our latest reader submission, Learning Specialist Jeanette Breen shares how Templestowe Heights Primary School has improved its writing moderation process and five tips for a more successful experience.