Articles

Boring playgrounds discourage outdoor active play Australian students who could improve their health by playing outside at school are avoiding using school playgrounds because they’re bored. Southern Cross University physical education and health expert Dr Brendon Hyndman says children and teenagers are staying away

Computer failure Australian schools have seen a huge push in recent decades to bring more computing and IT use into classrooms. Has it produced positive results? The evidence suggests that far from improving student outcomes, our focus on IT has been detrimental. This article discusses the consequences of IT on student performance, cognition and beyond the classroom. It also examines the impact IT has

$16.25m will replace asbestos-ridden building at 10 VIC schools Asbestos ridden buildings at 10 schools will be demolished and replaced with state-of-the-art modular classrooms costing $16.25 million in the VIC government's $155m School Asbestos Removal Program. The current phase includes the demolition and replacement of buildings at 30 schools. 

AEU urges longer timeline for submissions to Gonski review The AEU has called on State and Territory Education Ministers to reject a four-week timeline for submissions to the Gonski 2.0 review panel. The Union said: ‘This review will shape funding negotiations with States and Territories that will directly impact thousands of children in our public schools.

New $10.5m science program to give 5000 NSW students hands-on biotech lab experience Over the next three years, an expected 5000 NSW students and 60 teachers in NSW are expected to engage in a $10.5m program through a partnership between The Amgen Foundation and The University of Sydney. The three-week in-class initiative provides intensive PD for teachers

Everyday hinderances may force overwhelmed uni students to give up New Australian research shows accumulating everyday issues such as juggling work and study are as likely as a major event such as a death in the family to “tip the balance” for overwhelmed university students and may lead them to withdraw.

Early Learning Achievement Report: Australia can do better Independent education policy think tank, Mitchell Institute at Victoria University, has commented that a new report by Early Learning Everyone Benefits shows that early childhood education in Australia can, and must, improve.The report finds Australia has made good progress in recent years

iNewsletter moves the school newsletter on parents' mobiles Naavi, developer of iNewsletter has urged schools to "get with the times" as research reveals that more than 60% of parents read their schools' newsletter on a mobile device. But most schools are still sending out their weekly bulletin as a PDF, which is cumbersome to access on a mobile phone.

TEMAG Report Card shows strong progress in ITE reforms Education leaders met on 14 Sept to discuss their continued commitment to strengthening initial teacher education, which will lead to higher quality, classroom-ready graduates. Coinciding with the event was the release of the TEMAG Report Card.  

Phillip Island Nature Parks to host two-day Teachers’ Expo What has three different ecosystems, 97km of spectacular coastline, strong educational programs linked with curriculum, unique wildlife, indigenous history, Victoria’s leading attractions and is only 90 minutes from Melbourne? Phillip Island of course!

App-based safety support for international students For 500,000+ international students [1], studying in Australia can be a life enhancing experience, but it also has unknown risks. A new emergency alert system provides app-based access to in-person critical incident and support services around the clock. 

Draft national guideline to improve diagnostic practices for Australians on the autism spectrum released Australia’s first draft national guideline for autism diagnosis have been released for consultation. The draft guideline aims to create greater consistency in diagnostic practices across the country to ensure autistic individuals and their families can be assured of quality and knowledgeable advice.