Advancing future primary teachers' engagement in science inquiry learning. Australia's challenges in regard to scientific literacy and growth of student enrolments in science need to be addressed at multiple levels, starting with the preparation of future primary teachers. Promoting children's early interest in inquiry-based science is essential, yet a challenge for many teachers. This project examines the complex and dynamic interplay of cognitive, metacognitive and emotional processes in futur ....Advancing future primary teachers' engagement in science inquiry learning. Australia's challenges in regard to scientific literacy and growth of student enrolments in science need to be addressed at multiple levels, starting with the preparation of future primary teachers. Promoting children's early interest in inquiry-based science is essential, yet a challenge for many teachers. This project examines the complex and dynamic interplay of cognitive, metacognitive and emotional processes in future primary teachers' engagement in collaborative inquiry-based science activities. A comprehensive intervention based on these insights aims to determine how scaffolding productive engagement can improve the quality of primary teachers' preparation for inquiry-based science.Read moreRead less
Social and geographical location and its impact on mathematics teaching and learning. Too many students from poor urban backgrounds or from rural communities are at risk of underperforming in school mathematics. This project identifies the critical factors that contribute to this failure and seeks to develop improved practices to enable greater access to school mathematics.
Building on rural knowledges to unlock the potential of rural students. This project aims to advance understanding of the distinctive knowledges that rural students bring to school and develop teaching practices that build on these rural knowledges to unlock the potential of this significant student population. The project involves collaborating with rural primary schools, teachers, students and communities to identify rural knowledges, study classroom practices in detail, and develop sustainabl ....Building on rural knowledges to unlock the potential of rural students. This project aims to advance understanding of the distinctive knowledges that rural students bring to school and develop teaching practices that build on these rural knowledges to unlock the potential of this significant student population. The project involves collaborating with rural primary schools, teachers, students and communities to identify rural knowledges, study classroom practices in detail, and develop sustainable teaching practices that help students connect rural knowledges and school knowledge. Expected outcomes include a framework of place-based teaching practices and resources that will benefit rural schooling, teacher education, and the education of communities crucial to the nation’s future wealth and welfare.Read moreRead less
Processing mathematics tasks: the nature and role of visual and non-visual reasoning in digital and non-digital environments. Within the next four years, it is likely that the National Assessment Plan for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be administered in a digital mode. This project identifies differences between the delivery of mathematics assessment in pencil-and-paper and computer-based modes. Primary students' mathematics reasoning is compared across these modes and to cohorts from Sing ....Processing mathematics tasks: the nature and role of visual and non-visual reasoning in digital and non-digital environments. Within the next four years, it is likely that the National Assessment Plan for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be administered in a digital mode. This project identifies differences between the delivery of mathematics assessment in pencil-and-paper and computer-based modes. Primary students' mathematics reasoning is compared across these modes and to cohorts from Singapore.Read moreRead less
Equity and spatial reasoning in students’ mathematics development. The project aims to understand the influence of Spatial-Reasoning on school mathematics. Spatial-Reasoning skills are a significant predictor of achievement in mathematics, and will become increasingly necessary in digital and dynamic environments. Opportunities for disadvantaged students to develop such reasoning skills are limited; they are typically not taught in schools. The project investigates the role and nature of Spatial ....Equity and spatial reasoning in students’ mathematics development. The project aims to understand the influence of Spatial-Reasoning on school mathematics. Spatial-Reasoning skills are a significant predictor of achievement in mathematics, and will become increasingly necessary in digital and dynamic environments. Opportunities for disadvantaged students to develop such reasoning skills are limited; they are typically not taught in schools. The project investigates the role and nature of Spatial-Reasoning in students’ mathematics development; and substantiates the long-term effect of a spatial learning programme on educationally disadvantaged students’ mathematics performance and reasoning. This project is expected to improve disadvantaged students’ spatial reasoning and mathematics skills and their life opportunities.Read moreRead less