Let’s look at the following scene: Adrian, age ten, sits down to do his math homework. After reading the first problem, he gets up angrily and shouts: “I don’t understand anything!” He then abandons the task and complains to his mother, who patiently sits down with him and explains what he has to do. It […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Why frustration is necessary and can be positive for learning
AI-detection software isn’t the solution to classroom cheating — assessment has to shift
Two years since the release of ChatGPT, teachers and institutions are still struggling with assessment in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Some have banned AI tools outright. Others have turned to AI tools only to abandon them months later or have called for teachers to embrace AI to transform assessment. The result is a hodgepodge of responses, leaving many kindergarten to […] … learn more→
Simultaneous interpretation, better human (although with the help of technology)
Can you imagine if the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima was due to a translation error? Well, this is something that has been speculated about a lot: whether the interpretation that the Japanese made of the ultimatum sent by the Americans and the use of the Japanese word “mokusatsu” influenced the course of events. Much has […] … learn more→
How to teach hope when democracy is retreating
In the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection, the United States has lurched further toward a democratic crisis. Institutions once considered stable now feel precarious. The assault on truth — already well underway — has intensified, with political leaders openly flouting constitutional principles, suppressing dissent and dismantling democratic safeguards. The rhetoric of grievance and retribution has become the […] … learn more→
The role of Mobile Apps in modernizing educational delivery methods
Mobile apps have intricately woven themselves into our daily existence in the fast-paced digital world of today; they revolutionize communication, work habits, and educational pursuits. Specifically within education, mobile technology has sparked a radical shift: bridging old-school instruction with innovative digital means, rendering learning more dynamic and accessible than ever before. According to a recent […] … learn more→
Boys not only perform better in maths, they are also more confident about the subject than girls
There is a persistent gender gap in Australian schools. Boys, on average, outperform girls in maths. We see this in national tests such as NAPLAN, as well as international assessments. New Australian Council for Educational Research analysis by my colleague Catherine Underwood shows how boys, on average, are also more confident and positive about maths than girls. What can […] … learn more→
There’s a new push to teach Australian students about civics. Here are 6 ways to do it well
A federal parliamentary inquiry has just recommended civics and citizenship become a compulsory part of the Australian Curriculum, which covers the first year of school to Year 10. The committee also recommended a mandatory civics and citizenship course for all Year 11 and 12 students to prepare them to vote. This comes amid growing concern about misinformation on […] … learn more→
Research and entrepreneurship: possibilities in the classroom
Competencies, motivation and innovation are the three magic words of education in the 21st century. They are the fundamental pillars for the comprehensive development of students, and they come hand in hand with new teaching methods that seek creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. A very valuable tool to motivate students and encourage their participation in […] … learn more→
‘Do I have to get it in writing?’ Even with compulsory lessons, some teens are confused about how consent works
Consent education has been mandatory in Australian schools since 2023. Amid growing public understanding we need to reduce sexual violence and teach young people about healthy relationships, consent is now part of the national curriculum until Year 10. But is this education working? Our research with teens suggest some young people are not coming away with an adequate understanding of consent […] … learn more→
Optimizing your revision: four tips from psychology research
Whether you are a student or a parent, at school or university, a child or an adult, you have probably already experienced this frustrating situation: hours of intense revision followed by an inexplicable blackout on the day of the exam. This (discouraging) experience is not inevitable. Your brain is not failing, it may just be […] … learn more→
