Assessing the effectiveness of early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs in Australian communities. The focus of this study is optimising early learning and social experiences and establishing positive life trajectories for Australia's children. This addresses the National Research Priority, A healthy start to life, and aligns with the National Productivity Agenda. The study provides evidence about the effectiveness of ECEC programs in diverse Australian communities and examines the con ....Assessing the effectiveness of early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs in Australian communities. The focus of this study is optimising early learning and social experiences and establishing positive life trajectories for Australia's children. This addresses the National Research Priority, A healthy start to life, and aligns with the National Productivity Agenda. The study provides evidence about the effectiveness of ECEC programs in diverse Australian communities and examines the contribution of different ECEC provision to children's attainments at school entry through to the first national testing at age 8. Measured outcomes address the COAG productivity agenda to include health, social inclusion and education. Findings will inform theory internationally and policy, investment and ECEC practices in AustraliaRead moreRead less
Creating Safer Communities: Addressing Risky Behaviour in Young People Through Self-Regulation. Young people make choices about whether to engage in risky behaviours. If they do engage in risky behaviours, this can result in delinquency, self-harm, or death. This project examines: (i) young people's decision-making and the consequences of risky behaviour, and (ii) the effectiveness of a self-regulatory intervention that promotes positive lifestyle choices. The project provides an integrated and ....Creating Safer Communities: Addressing Risky Behaviour in Young People Through Self-Regulation. Young people make choices about whether to engage in risky behaviours. If they do engage in risky behaviours, this can result in delinquency, self-harm, or death. This project examines: (i) young people's decision-making and the consequences of risky behaviour, and (ii) the effectiveness of a self-regulatory intervention that promotes positive lifestyle choices. The project provides an integrated and co-ordinated approach to crime prevention across government departments by offering long-term preventative solutions for at-risk adolescents and alternative treatments for offenders. The project is consistent with Government commitments to safer, more supportive communities to reduce youth crime.Read moreRead less
The development of a values approach to school renewal. The Development of a Values Approach to School Renewal Project will provide evidence-based strategies and tools that facilitate the development of economic values education policies and programs that promote effective school renewal and reform. We will develop formative and evaluative tools that allow schools to focus on the development of the whole person so as to assist students to incorporate a values dimension into their everyday econom ....The development of a values approach to school renewal. The Development of a Values Approach to School Renewal Project will provide evidence-based strategies and tools that facilitate the development of economic values education policies and programs that promote effective school renewal and reform. We will develop formative and evaluative tools that allow schools to focus on the development of the whole person so as to assist students to incorporate a values dimension into their everyday economic and social choices, thus promoting student health and well-being in a holistic sense. This project will assist in strengthening Australia's social fabric and help families and individuals live healthy and fulfilling lives.Read moreRead less
A comparison of anticipated benefits and the personal, educational and social outcomes of cochlear implantation in deaf children. Language and communication, educational achievement, social identity and psychological well-being are critical outcomes of cochlear implantation if this intervention is broadly in the best interests of deaf children. This joint project uses innovative methodology to compare anticipated benefits of implantation and achieved outcomes in school, home and social settings ....A comparison of anticipated benefits and the personal, educational and social outcomes of cochlear implantation in deaf children. Language and communication, educational achievement, social identity and psychological well-being are critical outcomes of cochlear implantation if this intervention is broadly in the best interests of deaf children. This joint project uses innovative methodology to compare anticipated benefits of implantation and achieved outcomes in school, home and social settings over three years. It enables analyses of data on personal, social and educational outcomes of implantation not currently available to families, medical implant programs, advocacy organisations and educational authorities. Such information will assist in addressing any barriers to the children's personal and social development and achievement in educational and family settings.Read moreRead less
Authentic digital representation of creative works in education: addressing the challenges of digitisation and assessment. This project will investigate the digitisation and marking of portfolios for the purposes of summative assessment in the visual arts and design senior secondary school courses. The aim is to enhance moderation, compare between media and course contexts, compare methods of marking, and generally increase the authenticity of the assessment.
Towards improved healthcare communication: development and validation of language proficiency standards for non-native English speaking health professionals. The project will directly benefit the provision of healthcare in the Australian community. The clinical communication skills of the increasing numbers of non-native English speaking health professionals (over 7,000 of whom have arrived in this country since 2000) are critical to the quality of patient care. The project will result in a) b ....Towards improved healthcare communication: development and validation of language proficiency standards for non-native English speaking health professionals. The project will directly benefit the provision of healthcare in the Australian community. The clinical communication skills of the increasing numbers of non-native English speaking health professionals (over 7,000 of whom have arrived in this country since 2000) are critical to the quality of patient care. The project will result in a) better understanding of what constitutes effective workplace communication in 3 health professions (Medicine, Nursing and Physiotherapy) and b) more relevant and rigorous minimum English communication standards for migrant health professionals within the Occupational English Test (OET), administered on behalf of government and professional registration bodies by our industry partner, the OET Centre.Read moreRead less
PhD ASSESSMENT: AN INVESTIGATION OF EXAMINATION PROCESS, EXAMINER CONSISTENCY AND FACTORS THAT IDENTIFY THESIS QUALITY ACROSS DISCIPLINES. Doctoral research is a significant component of research activity in Australian higher education and effective research student supervision and high quality research are key goals. The main control over quality is the thesis examination, but there is no systematic study of examiner consistency or application of standards within and across disciplines. Drawing ....PhD ASSESSMENT: AN INVESTIGATION OF EXAMINATION PROCESS, EXAMINER CONSISTENCY AND FACTORS THAT IDENTIFY THESIS QUALITY ACROSS DISCIPLINES. Doctoral research is a significant component of research activity in Australian higher education and effective research student supervision and high quality research are key goals. The main control over quality is the thesis examination, but there is no systematic study of examiner consistency or application of standards within and across disciplines. Drawing on candidature history, examiner reports and ratings, this cross-institutional study responds to the need for foundational research into the area. The study will ascertain assessment processes, assessment criteria and factors that identify highly rated theses. The ultimate aim is to improve the quality of doctoral education practices.Read moreRead less
Building the numeracy and information and communication technology capability of students with intellectual disabilities. This project investigates strategies to build numeracy and information and communication technology capability among students with intellectual disabilities. It aims to support teachers in mainstream and special education schools as they plan and monitor personalised instruction for their students. The research combines disciplines of special schools, the state Education Depa ....Building the numeracy and information and communication technology capability of students with intellectual disabilities. This project investigates strategies to build numeracy and information and communication technology capability among students with intellectual disabilities. It aims to support teachers in mainstream and special education schools as they plan and monitor personalised instruction for their students. The research combines disciplines of special schools, the state Education Department’s Student Inclusion and Wellbeing Division, and the Assessment Research Centre. The expected outcome is an integrated program of assessment, reporting, curriculum, and instructional advice that promotes inclusive educational practices and seeks to ensure all children have improved opportunities to participate in a technology driven, emerging knowledge economy.Read moreRead less
Let's Start Indigenous Preschool Evaluation Project: Links between behaviour and outcomes. Indigenous education and social outcomes lag far behind those of other Australians. The situation can be considered a social emergency. This research will provide evidence of the benefits of investment in preventive strategies to respond to difficulties faced by Aboriginal preschool children who struggle to negotiate the transition through preschool into early primary school. It provides immediate assista ....Let's Start Indigenous Preschool Evaluation Project: Links between behaviour and outcomes. Indigenous education and social outcomes lag far behind those of other Australians. The situation can be considered a social emergency. This research will provide evidence of the benefits of investment in preventive strategies to respond to difficulties faced by Aboriginal preschool children who struggle to negotiate the transition through preschool into early primary school. It provides immediate assistance to families and children in difficulty and direct support to the education industry by developing a program of supportive interventions to assist schools. It will provide national benefits by contributing to evidence on determinants of indigenous child development and school outcomes. Read moreRead less
Improving teacher assessment using exemplars and online moderation. This project aims to assess the dependability of teacher judgement using psychometric scaling and online moderation. The project will use an innovative approach to connect achievement standards and judgement-practice for middle-year students in Australian education system. Expected outcomes of the project include the development of scaled work samples exemplifying A-E standards of achievement, refined methods for the consistency ....Improving teacher assessment using exemplars and online moderation. This project aims to assess the dependability of teacher judgement using psychometric scaling and online moderation. The project will use an innovative approach to connect achievement standards and judgement-practice for middle-year students in Australian education system. Expected outcomes of the project include the development of scaled work samples exemplifying A-E standards of achievement, refined methods for the consistency and comparability of assessment decisions, and a new approach to moderating teacher judgements. This project should provide significant benefits in building teachers’ assessment capabilities, shaping policy and teacher preparation.Read moreRead less