Virtual classrooms

Getting ready to start teaching in the classroom, managing student behaviour and meeting with parents can be a daunting prospect for many pre-service teachers. Researchers at the University of Virginia have spent the last five years developing digitally mediated simulations to supplement traditional teacher training.

Staff at Ringwood Secondary College in Victoria have learned a lot since students began learning from home. Here, we speak to principal Michael Phillips about the aspects of remote learning that have resulted in positive outcomes for staff collaboration and student engagement.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented some unique challenges for early years educators as they move to a remote learning approach. In today’s article, Dr Deborah Price discusses some practical ways for embracing the teaching and learning opportunities this new environment provides.

Are today’s students ‘digital natives’? Have digital technologies transformed classroom practice? ACER Research Director Julian Fraillon looks to Australian and international data to explore some of the myths and realities related to digital literacy and how these should be considered in the new paradigm of working from home.

‘As the COVID-19 situation unfolds, schools are closing to protect their students and the broader public – but this doesn’t mean a stop to learning for students or teachers.’ Dr Anne-Marie Chase and Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy share three phases of research-based decisions education systems and schools should be making now in relation to technology-enabled learning.

We share highlights from the ‘In Conversation’ session at Research Conference 2019 between ACER CEO Professor Geoff Masters AO and Professor Neil Selwyn on preparing students for life in the 21st Century.

Online learning environments have been a game changer for Australian distance educators. The technology allows teachers to provide one-to-one support and immediate feedback to students who are struggling with issues such as anxiety, helping to build their confidence and self-esteem and re-engage with learning.

Academics believe virtual reality could open up exciting possibilities in the area of careers education, offering authentic learning experiences to prepare students for work and tertiary study.

How schools and communities around the world have tackled issues affecting the delivery of education.

Read about how one school has successfully implemented a Digital Delivery Day in order to solve a very real teaching and learning problem.