Talking Teaching
By University of Melbourne
Talking TeachingMay 07, 2024
The Universities Accord and strengthening the link between schools and higher education
The release of the Universities Accord earlier this year marks a pivotal moment in higher education policy. Its recommendations address crucial aspects of the evolving higher ed landscape, including equity, funding, HECS/HELP, and living costs. These changes could profoundly influence the decisions of first-year students transitioning from school to higher ed, emphasising the pivotal role schools play in shaping their future trajectories.
In this episode, Associate Professor Gwilym Croucher, an expert in Higher Education Policy, joins Principal Annette Rome of St. Margaret's Berwick in a dynamic dialogue. Together, they explore the potential impacts of the Accord, strategies for preparing school students for making decisions around their future, and how we ensure good outcomes for everyone.
Supporting Neurodiversity in Our Schools: A Teacher's Guide
Australian schools are recognising the growing importance of fostering inclusive spaces for neurodiverse students. Teachers play a vital role in creating belonging for these students. But how can we support teachers, to support neurodivergent students in the classroom?
We speak to experts Jess Rowlings and Dr Matt Harrison, co-directors of Next Level Collaboration and passionate researchers in neurodiversity, about how teachers can support the learning of their neurodivergent students. We explore what neurodiversity is, how it presents in young people and practical strategies teachers can use in their classrooms.
Literary Education and the role of reading for social change
In a world abundant with content, how can we harness literary education as a form of social change? How can we re-invigorate schools to be spaces to engage with uncomfortable truths and delicate subject matter in a respectful way?
In this episode, Faculty of Education Deputy Dean and co-founder of the Literary Education Lab, Professor Larissa Mclean Davies, and English teacher and PhD candidate, Allayne Horton, help us uncover the vibrant world of literary education and explore how schools and teachers can effectively engage with texts to mould future perspectives.
Building Hope: Equity, Funding and the National School Reform Agreement
In this episode, we are joined by two experts, to discuss the Nation School Reform Agreement, currently up for renegotiation. This joint agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories is designed to lift student outcomes in Australian schools and plays a pivotal role in school funding and addressing equity in education. Prof. Pasi Sahlberg and A/Prof. Glenn Savage, both influential in Australian educational policy, help us explore the future of the Agreement, its implications for teachers, and what we can hope for when deliberation concludes in December 2024.
Empowering the Next Generation: Climate Education in Schools
In this episode, we learn how to bolster both climate and sustainability literacy, and support climate action in the classroom. Listeners will discover how we can empower students to not only understand the science but also engage in meaningful conversations about our changing planet. We explore how teachers can create safe spaces for students to process their feelings about climate change and how schools are implementing sustainable practices, fostering a sense of agency and hope.
We speak with three academics from the Faculty of Education: Professor Marcia McKenzie, the Associate Dean (Sustainability) and Director of the MECCE Project, as well as Associate Professor Kate Coleman and Dr. Sarah Healy, the co-directors of the Speculative Wanderings in Space and Place (SWISP) Lab. Additionally, Jenny Williams, Principal of Firbank Grammar, shares insights from a school perspective.
Reinventing Schools: Elevating student learning, wellbeing and health
In this episode, we delve into the future of education in Australia, exploring ideas to reimagine the purpose of schools by shifting the focus from academic achievement to whole-child development, paving the way for healthier, more equitable futures for all students.
With insights from experts A/Prof, Jon Quach from the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne and Prof. Sharon Goldfeld from Centre for Community Child Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital, along with educators Erin Brass from St. Ambrose Parish School and Karlie Price from St. Peters Primary School, we'll discuss the importance of equally prioritising health and wellbeing with academic achievement within Australian schools.
Learning from Her: Celebrating Indigenous Women in Education
In this episode, we delve into the stories of three remarkable Indigenous women significantly impacting the educational landscape across Australia.
From overcoming challenges to integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and knowledges into curriculums, our guests share their wisdom and expertise, providing valuable lessons for anyone passionate about education.
Listeners gain insights into their experiences, achievements, and the transformative work they are doing in their communities, highlighting the importance of Indigenous voices in shaping educational policies, practices, and outcomes.
For more information visit https://go.unimelb.edu.au/p4ys
AI in the classroom: friend or foe?
Artificial Intelligence or AI has well and truly arrived. As ChatGPT and DALL-E become mainstream, warnings in the media about this new technology are growing, including its impact on education and assessment. But AI also offers exciting opportunities to enhance learning, think creatively, alleviate workloads and embrace inclusivity. In this episode we de-mystify the question; is AI in the classroom a friend or a foe?
Helping us explore this evolving conundrum and share the inspiring possibilities of new tech and tips on how teachers can start exploring AI in their classrooms is prolific educator and researcher and Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas and a professor in Educational Leadership at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education , Professor Yong Zhao, as well as expert in self-regulation and classroom-based assessment and Director of the Assessment and Evaluation Research Centre, Professor Therese Hopfenbeck, and expert in technology in the classroom and Director of Curriculum at the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Lauren Sayer.
It’s not a choice: the real issues behind school ‘refusal’
Discover the complex issues around school attendance that can adversely affect students, teachers and parents.
The media have referred to it as school ‘refusal’ but student attendance is an old problem in the new post COVID lockdown era.
Hear out host, Dr Sophie Specjal speak with clinical psychologist, Associate Professor Glenn Melvin who shares research and expertise with student anxieties. Discover practical insights from Katie Archibald and Rebecca Plunkett discuss how they are working with at risk students in improving their school attendance at the Travancore school. Explore the big picture of school attendance measurement and its national issues from Associate Professor Lisa McKay Brown who shares research, expertise and support for the complexity of school attendance.
The Teacher Crisis - Real or Imagined
In this episode of Talking Teaching, Professor Jim Watterston, Dean of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education (MGSE), delves into the details of Australia's teacher crisis. How does the situation differ in rural and urban areas? Is teacher education a problem? Why can't we fast-track people from other jobs into teaching? Why are teachers leaving the profession at a crisis level? What are some solutions for the teaching profession?
Mental Health in Primary Schools
The Murdoch Children's Research Institute's Centre for Community Child Health, as well as partners from the MGSE and the Victorian Department of Education are supporting this new project, which aims to address mental health problems in children before they enter adolescence. Providing support, education, and social and emotional learning skills in primary school may reduce the prevalence of mental health problems in high school and beyond.
New Assessments: Acknowledging Student Success
Professor Jim Watterston, Dean of the Melbourne School of Education, discusses the development of these new assessment tools with Professor Sandra Milligan, Director of the Assessment Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. He also speaks to the Principal of the Hunter Sports High School in NSW, whose school is participating in the New Metrics research project, about what these new assessments look like on the ground in a school.
Gen X,Y & Z: facing the challenges of the 21st century
This study, which began in the early 1990s, has tracked and documented the transitions of young people across education, work, wellbeing, relationships and family life. Now, with a new Australian Research Council grant, a cohort of Gen Z will join the study.
COVID-19 - catalyst for change or a retreat to the past?
Decolonising the English curriculum
The COVID lessons: John Hattie reflects
The kids are alright but is the education system? Flipping the conversation on Indigenous education
Dealing with trauma: schools on the frontline
Teaching through the pandemic: lessons learned in and out of school
Resilience and recovery: bushfires and COVID-19
Teaching Indigenous history in schools and the rundown on NAPLAN
And we hear from Professor Marcia Langton about the University of Melbourne's new schools' resource material for the teaching of indigenous history. Professor Langton explains how a new generation of students is curious for truth telling about a culture that we know is 65,000 years old.
The need for policy changes in the VET sector
Guests:
Professor John Polesel - Centre for Vocational and Educational Policy, MGSE
Professor Peter Noonan - Professor of Tertiary Education Policy, Mitchell Institute, Victoria University
Australian schooling and teaching 21st century skills
Positive Psychology: Learning the skills and capabilities for wellbeing
Talking Teaching considers the growing national momentum for pre-school for three year old children
We also visit Gowrie Clare Court in Yarraville Melbourne to hear what early learning teachers say.
Presenter - Maxine McKew
Guests - Associate Professor Tricia Eadie - Melbourne Graduate School of Education
Emeritus Professor Deb Brennan - Social Policy Research Centre UNSW
What the rest of the world is noticing about our most effective teachers
Guest speakers:
Yasodai Selvakumaran - ranked in the top ten for the Varkey Foundation's Global Teaching Prize
Bruce Armstrong - newly retired, former Deputy Secretary, Victorian Department of Education
Teaching children reading
A challenging look at teaching teachers.
How educators can boost student interest in reading
Larissa McLean Davies is Associate Dean Teaching and Learning at The Melbourne Graduate School of Education. She is on a mission to boost the teaching of a diverse range of quality Australian texts in our schools. She talks to Maxine McKew about a range of programmes she is developing which will help English teachers develop appropriate resourcing for the teaching of Australian literature.
As well Talking Teaching looks at the above average reading success of a small Victorian regional school, Cobram Secondary. Lead teacher Penny Jones describes the life changing strategies that have seen secondary students rediscover the joy of reading. Cobram Secondary is a member of MGSE's Network of Schools
Glyn Davis and the joys of teaching
It was one of Glyn's high school teachers who first sat him down and showed him how to go about pursuing a university education. Glyn's own reflections on the joy of teaching, the challenges of leadership, and students' use of technology make for absorbing listening. So sit back and enjoy this interview with one of Australia's most significant educational leaders.
What does it take to be a good principal?
Jo Boaler, Michaela Epstein and Michelle Fry on Maths Education, and Saudi Arabia's bold new education reforms
Gonski 2.0
In conversation with Katherine Henderson, Dr Geoff Masters and David Baker.
Next up, Dr Geoff Masters, CEO of the Australian Council for Education Research, argues its time to move away from a structure whereby students are organised according to age or year level, to one based on the achievement of proficiencies.
Finally, David Baker explains to Sophie Murphy how Gippsland Grammar is already moving towards this approach and exploring ways to move students from surface to deep learning.
In conversation with Eddie Woo
John Hattie, Peggy Brookins, HALTS teachers, Noel Creece and Wesley Imms
In a separate story, we take a look at South Melbourne Primary School, Victoria's first public vertical school. The University of Melbourne's Professor Wes Imms says that re-thinking the design of learning spaces is a proven way to boost student interest.
Read the full transcript.
Laureate Professor John Hattie, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne
Peggy Brookins, President/CEO National Board fro Professional teaching Standards, U.S.
HALTS teachers - Tania Crawford, Deana Cuconits, Adele Maughn, Natalie Polak, Andrew Cornwall, Meghan Smith
Principal Noel Creece, South Melbourne Primary
Associate Professor Wesley Imms, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne
Theme music by Gavin Nebauer
Talking Teaching recorded and mixed by Gavin Nebauer at The Horwood Recording Studio, University of Melbourne