Australia Association for Research in Education
Farewell Maralyn Parker
There is one underlying theme connecting Maralyn Parker’s many careers – and that is the strength of her …
COVID-19 has destroyed academic careers & stalled equity in our universities: Death knell or opportunity?
In mid-March, my university sent me and my colleagues home to work remotely for what everyone thought would be a week, maybe ten days. It was meant to be just enough time for Victoria to get on top of the virus that was increasingly in the news. More than 280 days later, most of us …
Differentiation is in our schools to stay. What is it? And why are most criticisms of it just plain wrong?
The use of a teaching practice known as ‘differentiation’ has become more common over time as educators have sought to respond to increases in the diversity of students enrolling in their local school. The term is now used widely by Australian teachers and school leaders, as well as policy makers. For example, according to the …
More help needed for vulnerable learners in the age of COVID-19 school closures
During lockdowns due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, school closures were hotly debated. Complete school closures were perceived …
Examining the crucial role of remote education tutors: Who are they? What problems do they face?
The events of 2020 have shone a spotlight on learning remotely from home as schools and teachers shifted their classes online. However, for many children in Australia, distance education, that is education delivered in the home, is the norm rather than a response to exceptional pandemic circumstances. Central to the delivery of distance education in …
Embarking on university study after domestic violence: New research
There is a growing interest in researching the challenges and opportunities for women who choose to leave a …
Surprising findings from new analysis of declining NAPLAN writing test results
Despite the considerable annual investments of money and school resources to hold the NAPLAN tests, almost no research …
It’s not just identifying quality evidence, it’s quality use of it that makes the difference
Medical experts around the world are channeling rapidly evolving, and sometimes contradictory, research evidence to inform politicians and the public on the best way forward during this pandemic. A high level of expertise is required to navigate this torrent of information, determine the most appropriate evidence, communicate it, and help work out ways to apply …
Schools are unfairly targeting vulnerable children with their exclusionary policies
Australian schools are unfairly suspending and excluding students, particularly boys, Indigenous students, and students with a disability. Our research is examining exclusionary policies and practices in Australian schools and the impact they have on vulnerable children. The findings suggest that these practices are discriminatory and harmful to the health, welfare and academic achievement of the …
How children describe their role in organising the materials in a kindergarten classroom
Early childhood teachers have many roles in a classroom – mentor, therapist, nurse, scientist, and judge, to name …