Long reads

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A different way to organise the school curriculum
A different way to organise the school curriculum

There are good reasons to rethink how we organise the school curriculum. An alternative would be to structure the curriculum as a sequence of proficiency levels unrelated to age or year level, according to Professor Geoff Masters AO.

A school's focus on educational research
A school's focus on educational research

When Greg Ashman took on a job at Ballarat Clarendon College, he was immediately impressed by the school’s focus on research. This inspired to him to pursue a PhD in instructional design and led him to his current role as Head of Research at the school. In today’s Q&A, we find out more about the role.

Designing and implementing a STEM elective
Designing and implementing a STEM elective

Brisbane’s Parklands Christian College has introduced a new STEM Studies elective for Year 10. Lead Teacher of Mathematics and Science Kristie Schulz explains the course design and implementation process.

How does oral vocabulary knowledge help children learn to read?
How does oral vocabulary knowledge help children learn to read?

It is not well understood by researchers precisely how oral vocabulary helps children learn to read new words. In today’s article Macquarie University’s Signy Wegener and Distinguished Professor Anne Castles discuss some exciting findings from their research that sheds light on this issue.

Strategies to help children build resilience
Strategies to help children build resilience

A new research-based practice guide, released today by beyondblue, seeks to provide teachers, families and other professionals with everyday strategies to build resilience in young people and teach them to think positively.

Outdoor lessons boost classroom engagement
Outdoor lessons boost classroom engagement

New research has found learning in nature has a significant positive impact on engagement back in the classroom, with educators able to teach for almost twice as long without having to pause and redirect students’ attention.

Music homework – solitary and deliberate
Music homework – solitary and deliberate

When two senior Music teachers saw a need to improve the quality of student’s home practice of chosen instruments, they implemented a strategy of solitary, deliberate music practice. In consultation with the school’s Master Teacher, they developed a model aimed at improving student learning outcomes.

Smoothing early years transitions
Smoothing early years transitions

Teachers play a central role in supporting children who are starting formal schooling for the first time to settle in. University of Wollongong researchers have been studying how early years educators can help smooth the transition from preschool.

Civic knowledge, understanding and engagement
Civic knowledge, understanding and engagement

Australian students’ positive attitudes towards civic information, ideas and action, Indigenous cultures, and diversity have increased further according to new National Assessment Program – Civics and Citizenship (NAP-CC) data, released today.

PIRLS 2016: Year 4 reading and literacy results
PIRLS 2016: Year 4 reading and literacy results

The latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) results have been released today. Here, we take a closer look at PIRLS 2016: Reporting Australia’s results, which describes the reading literacy achievement of a nationally representative sample of Year 4 students in the international context.