Long reads

‘I believe we could dispense with ATAR at almost no cost, but significant benefit. There are several observations that lead me to this conclusion,’ Professor Geoff Masters AO writes as he makes the case for change in his latest Teacher column.

The International Mathematical Modeling Challenge asks students to work collaboratively on a mathematical task related to the real world. Here, Ross Turner, who leads Australia’s involvement in the challenge, describes this year’s task.

Researchers from Macquarie University and QUT conducted a series of interviews with students to hear their memories of former teachers to determine the quality and consistency of these relationships over time. In today’s article, Associate Professor Penny Van Bergen shares some of the key findings to come from the research.

A new set of resources developed by experts at the Australian Council for Educational Research aims to provide an evidence-based approach to the development of critical thinking, creative thinking and collaboration. Dr Claire Scoular shares details and examples of the frameworks in today’s article.

‘In the new normal, specialist teachers have adapted to different ways of delivery and interaction …’ Music teacher David Pullen shares how he used existing resources to create a virtual excursion to Queensland Symphony Orchestra for his Prep to Year 6 students.

An international mathematical modelling competition, open to secondary students in Australia, has seen senior secondary students work collaboratively on a complex, real-world mathematics problem. Here, we speak to two teachers who guided students through the competition.

How do students feel about the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on their education? During the school lockdowns experienced across the country, Butler College in Western Australia captured student voice via an online survey, gathering a snapshot of how students were feeling about the pandemic.

As students return to classrooms after COVID-19 lockdowns, teachers should focus on rebuilding relationships, avoid rushing through missed content, and preference a deep understanding of a few topics over a superficial understanding of many, according to a new article published in the Mathematics Education Research Journal.

Has your school been thinking about or working to develop STEM lessons? Are you contemplating building connections with industry? Our latest reader submission shares details of research exploring the impact of school-industry partnerships.

'The school curriculum should embody a society’s vision for its future and play a vital role in achieving that vision.' Professor Geoff Masters AO reflected on this during his review of the New South Wales curriculum and on a study visit to Estonia.