Ideas and concepts are described in words, to create meaning. When the use of words or expressions is changed from the original, meaning changes. Unless there is shared agreement and acceptance, understanding can be corrupted. Take for example the word sick.…
Not long ago, I saw my father’s family Bible for the first time. As I carefully turned the pages, I noticed the fineness of the paper and the layout of its material content; what struck me most, though, was the…
Just days ago, I saw my father’s family Bible for the first time. As I carefully turned the pages, I noticed the fineness of the paper and the layout of its material content; what struck me most, though, was the…
Guided Reading has long been considered the stalwart strategy for the effective teaching of reading. The truth is, students’ plummeting performance in English can also be largely attributed to guided reading. Despite the time dedicated to assessment, reporting and reviewing data,…
Ten years ago, Australian schools were promised an education revolution. And there is no dispute: Australia got exactly what it voted for. 1. A $2.4 billion Digital Education Revolution (DER). The plan was to provide one computer for every student in…
A Decade Of Lost Achievement In 2008 a vision was created for Australia. It was to be an Education Revolution – one that would lift student achievement through more equitable funding. A decade later there has been a steep fall…
Consider this scenario: A family chooses the local public school as the ‘primary school’ for their 5-year-old child. This school is like many other local schools. It specialises only in the core curriculum. Subjects include English, mathematics, music and gymnastics.…
Science, technology, innovation and change, and their widespread integration into society, are changing 21st century teaching and learning. Schools and universities are making the most of the advantages they bring. Books are no longer limited to hard copy editions, whiteboards…
In 1886, a guide book for the teaching of elementary (Primary) English, was published in New York. Beginning with the basic learning symbols – the English alphabet – and ending with proofreading marks – the symbols used to edit manuscripts…
How well do you know the Australian Constitution? According to the Australian Curriculum (AC), Year 7 students (12-year-olds) who reach the Achievement Standard are able to ‘explain features of Australia’s Constitution, including the process for constitutional change’. They can also…