Mobilising the Middle – the key to cultivating collective teacher efficacy

How can teachers make a difference? Amber Carter

A number of years ago at a school camp students were challenged to set up the campsite and cook each other a meal all without the guidance of the facilitating teachers. After a day of hiking, it was, needless to say, that the group was fairly tired. As I stood back and watched the scene unfold I was impressed by the ability of these teenagers to collaborate and harness their collective strengths to rise to the challenge set before them. Although it is obvious that the work of teachers is vastly different to the experience described above, it should be acknowledged that when teachers collaborate and utilise their strengths, amazing things happen to student learning and school culture. Read More

Study finds boys could benefit from greater number of girls in schools

Boys are more likely to perform well in schools with a higher proportion of girls. Studying the reading test scores of more than 200,000 15-year-olds from over 8000 mixed-sex schools around the world, researchers discovered that boys’ performance was significantly better in schools where more than 60% of the pupils were girls.
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Science experts 'walk the talk' to improve primary STEM learning

Dr Anne Forbes of Macquarie Uni says bringing in science and engineering experts who 'walk the talk of science' helps students understand the processes of scientific inquiry and their value to social progress. She is a Senior Lecturer in STEM Education and co-developer of the MyScience educational model to stimulate primary school students’ excitement about science Read More

100 scholarships for teachers in RMIT App Development with Swift program

100 online scholarships for teachers are on offer as part of the new RMIT App Development with Swift curriculum. The Online program starts on 20 November while a new vocational education short course will be taught on campus from February 2018. In addition, a free summer coding school at RMIT’s City campus will give secondary students the chance to learn the basics of coding in Swift. Read More

High schoolers take on futuristic space design challenge

Ten high schools from Australia and New Zealand are one step closer to representing the Australasian region at the International Space Settlement Competition at Kennedy Space Centre as Space Design Competitions Australia announces finalists for the 2017 Australian Space Design Competition.

Risks and rewards in accelerating technology and social shifts

Accelerating technology and social shifts are driving massive change in the economy, with fast-paced innovation transforming industries old and new and generating tremendous new opportunities for value creation. But Australian Students are at risk of being left behind, according to a just-released Commonwealth Bank Jobs of the Future Report. Read More

ClassCoach Maths tutoring will help rural and remote students

Two UQ Business School MBA Graduates have launched ClassCoach, an online Maths tutoring system with the aim of helping rural and remote school students that are struggling with Maths. ClassCoach's online tutoring solution allows students from Year 7 through to first year university to connect to maths tutors using advanced online whiteboard, voice conferencing, homework sharing and session playback features.

UNI Qld to host 12-day National Science Forum

Nearly 200 year 12 students will take part in the 12-day National Youth Science Forum in January when The University of Queensland hosts the program for the first time. The NYSF Year 12 Program is a 12-day residential program designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in STEM and to encourage them to continue their studies in these fields. Read More

Carclew to show SA teachers what’s the DEAL with arts

120 primary teachers from 60 SA government schools will undertake hands on professional development guided by practicing artists as part of a new program to introduce new and innovative approaches to arts education. Run in partnership with Carclew, the Developing Effective Arts Learning (DEAL) program will upskill teachers Read More