How to help kids make friends at primary school

Making good friends in primary school is not always easy, but parents and teachers can take some positive steps to help their children make connections.

Does China herald a grim future for technology in schools?

The increasing use of technology to monitor students in schools abroad should give Australian educators pause for thought when contemplating its introduction here.

Higher education in 2018 – Culture wars and money squabbles

The continuing debate about higher education policy in 2018 saw heated arguments between academics, ministers and social commentators about funding, freedom of speech and the role of universities in buttressing – or undermining – western civilisation.

Australia needs better maths education

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel, calls for teaching maths, in sequence, through a structured program, and at the level of a student’s real ability.

Why it is (almost) impossible to teach creativity

Australians are always told to become more creative to compete in a fast changing economy, but creativity, by its very nature, is somewhat irresponsible and may be impossible to teach in a culture of learning outcomes.

How can universities stop ‘contract cheating’?

If we view tertiary education as a commodity rather than an enlightening pursuit, practices such as essay buying will become more common. What can be done to stamp out plagiarism in our universities – or does nobody really care?

What does a great teacher look like?

Teachers with a strong belief in their own ability to ‘get the job done’ have the biggest impact on a student’s learning.

Learning in the homelands

In the Indigenous Homelands of East Arnhem Land, pre-service teachers are learning the value of place and listening.

Being in nature is good for learning, here’s how to get kids off screens and outside

Contact with nature can enhance creativity, bolster mood, lower stress, improve mental acuity, well-being and productivity, cultivate social connectedness, and promote physical activity. It also has myriad educational benefits for teaching and learning.

NDIS funding hampers adoption of parenting skills program

A successful parenting program for parents and children with developmental disabilities will become unavailable for most families under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, according to a new research report.

Improving education in country schools could add $56B to GDP

A report from the Gonksi Institute for Education at UNSW Sydney calculates that Australia could add more than $50B to its annual Gross Domestic Product by improving educational outcomes for students in regional, rural and remote areas of the country.

Measuring student progress: A state-by-state report card 

A new Grattan Institute national report card on NAPLAN school results reveals big differences between the states on the rate of progress students make over the course of their schooling.