Students may be back in the classroom, but COVID-19 has highlighted the need, and opportunity, for schools to embrace technology. Read more
Contact Harald: the smart contact tracing solution for schools
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
Ready, set, go — the 2020 Great Book Swap is up and running
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
From COVID-19 to classroom: Making sense of research evidence-use
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
Synthetic Phonics with Phonemic Awareness explained – in the context of a complete Literacy Program
Teacher education in the spotlight from Sound Waves and Sound Stories author, Barbara Murray
Synthetic phonics is based on well-developed phonemic awareness of all 43 sounds we use in our spoken English. A working knowledge of phonemic awareness MUST be achieved before synthetic phonics can be successfully introduced. Read more
Learning analytics dashboards: Understanding the influence of tech in our classrooms
Researchers from Monash University have developed a new model for learning analytics to help developers create better educational technology, following a systematic literature review of learning analytics dashboards. Read more