Teaching and learning

Research

Our research is about enhancing the life-changing impact of education on individuals and harnessing the capacity for education to foster inclusive, connected communities. By providing evidence-based innovations in education delivery, education leadership and inclusive and personalised resources, we are supporting the next generation of educators to deliver the highest quality education to diverse young people in Australia and around the world.

We are working on collaborative solutions to educational issues that face teachers, policy makers and students today, and our experts provide professional development programs, advice and consultancy to the education sector and beyond.

Areas of research

Health, sport and physical education
Mental health and wellbeing in educational settings
Inclusive and specialised education
Learning, problem-solving and cognition
Teacher education and professional learning
Educational leadership and management
Social inquiry educational initiatives
Early childhood education
STEM education

Featured projects

Reading – there’s an app for that!

Primary school students are digital natives with many having had iPads and smart phones as part of their life since they were born. Our researchers are interested in finding some of the most effective uses of iPads in classrooms.

This project is looking at reading app Reading Doctor, which uses systematic phonics instruction. Reading Doctor may be able to support, and in some cases accelerate, reading ability for children, including those with dyslexia and learning difficulties.

Researchers:

A peaceful fight against bullying

Bullying affects approximately 1 in 5 students each week and schools are looking for better ways to handle bullying. Our research has helped form a new program named PEACE pack.

Already schools within the pilot program have seen rates of bullying halved with lessons focused on conflict resolution, relationship building and decision-making skills. Research is continuing to help implement tailored versions of the program in new schools and countries.

Helping new programs last

When a new program is introduced, many schools, early childhood services and community health organisations deliver the program effectively but implementation often fades after initial resourcing runs out.

Poor understanding of the complexity and adaptive nature of educational settings may be compromising the long-term success of new initiatives. We are conducting research to help new, effective solutions stick through the development of SITE: Sustaining Innovation Through Education – a self-assessment tool for schools and other organisations during the planning, implementation and review phases of a new program.

Researchers:

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