Long reads

Outdoor education encourages students to connect with nature, with Indigenous culture, and with themselves and each other, writes Tony Hewison.

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? 

If you want your students to evaluate, generalise, hypothesise, synthesise and analyse information rather than simply recall it, you might be ready for problem-based learning.

Principal Mike O'Connor makes attendance data a 'big deal' at Brisbane's Browns Plains State High School and is only too happy to shine a spotlight on student absence.

Giving students time to think, and changing the way you respond to their thoughts, allows you to withhold judgement, as Stephen Keast and Rebecca Cooper explain.

Michelle Waller looks at the relationship between a consistent involvement in music and the development of the Habits of Mind identified by Art Costa and Bena Kallick.

The positive or negative things we say and do as teachers in the classroom have a great influence on student learning – which is a good reason, says Rob McEwan, to plan for positive attitudes.

In this competitive world, it’s vital that you establish and maintain a positive reputation for your school with careful communications planning. Sam Elam and Katrina Byers explain how.

Most secondary school students have a mobile phone, and most mobile phones have a camera, MP3 player, video camera and a stopwatch. Jarrod Robinson explains why schools should stop confiscating these amazing pieces of technology, and how phones can be used to engage students in learning.

The more you know about how the brain works, the better will be your teaching, says David Sousa.