Education Matters delves into some of the most important issues affecting today’s schools, classrooms and the education landscape in Australia, including ‘Hot Topics’ such as mental health, sustainability, cyberbullying and robotics in the classroom.
We speak with some of the foremost experts in their fields from across Australia and the world, who provide their knowledge, insight and advice on the subject or issue in question.
Australian students’ declining achievement in National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), as well as in international testing, has revealed that writing skills are below the 2011 average with one in five failing to meet the national minimum standard. Read more
Few schools expected a year like 2020. Education Matters looks at how teacher-student relationships helped educators get through this unprecedented time of crisis. Read more
Students may be back in the classroom, but COVID-19 has highlighted the need, and opportunity, for schools to embrace technology. Read more
With most students back in classrooms as of 12 October, and Victoria’s Year 8 to 10s joining the rest later this month, education is facing a ‘new normal’ of social distancing and protective barriers. Read more
Sign up your school for the Great Book Swap now and go in the draw to win a one-hour virtual visit from Playschool’s favourite host, Justine Clarke, music superstar and author, Josh Pyke, or pop star Jessica Mauboy. Read more
By Mandy Salisbury, Lucas Walsh, Mark Rickinson, Connie Cirkony, Joanne Gleeson, Faculty of Education, Monash University
Recently we have been bombarded with conflicting information around many COVID-19 related issues, including to pursue ‘elimination’ of the virus or not, to close borders or otherwise, and the wearing of protective masks. In Australia, as in many countries, there has been inconsistent and changing advice. Differing views have been hotly debated and the rules ever-changing. During this pandemic, when evidence has played such a central role in policy making and guidance for the public, there is a need to focus on how it is used. This challenge of understanding how to best use evidence also applies to teachers in their everyday teaching and learning practice. Read more