New publications

Vertical Living Kids was a research project running from July 2008 to December 2009, funded by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth). The research explored the physical and social issues affecting children's independent mobility in central Melbourne high rise housing, and searched for international best practice planning policy for these communities. The report is available online.

A response to the changing language classroom context, this report is intended to stimulate discussion and generate reflective responses from language education practitioners.It offers an examination of recent research and identifies current and emerging trends in the field. These include an emphasis on learner-centred approaches, language for leadership skills, and stories and speech. These trends suggest that the focus of modern languages education is no longer on grammar and memorisation, but on the role of language as a means to communicate and connect with others from a range of backgrounds. Adapted from the executive summary. The full report is available online.

The USA's Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development offers advice to principals on how to help teachers make adjustments in curriculum, instruction, assessment and feedback. The book contains guidelines to help teachers focus classroom observations and feedback on the critical classroom decisions that promote meaningful, lasting learning; deliver the most effective curriculum, teaching, assessment, and feedback strategies for each stage of the lesson; and align resources for better instructional decisions and higher student achievement. Chapter titles include Supervision and the Teaching Schema for Master Learners; From Inspection to Improvement; and The End of the Lesson. Adapted from the publisher's description.

This US report offers five guiding principles and a number of recommendations regarding the government role in education. These include the need to focus on a limited number of goals; streamline the federal role; ensure emphasis on evaluation and research; build capacity; and ensure that out-of-school factors are taken into consideration. It recommends that standards-based reform be maintained but improved; that support be given to low-performing schools; that more comprehensive assessments be developed across a range of subjects; that struggling students be supported; that resource equity is ensured; and that partnerships be developed across different learning institutions at all levels. The full report is available online.

This text provides an overview of open, distance learning and information and communication technology in Asian education and training. Drawing on Asian theory, research and practice, it critically examines open learning and ICT experiences across a range of Asian countries, drawing conclusions from their successes and failures, and recommending ways in which planning, management and practice may be developed to ensure improved outcomes. Chapters include Technology, e-readiness and e-learning readiness; Open schooling, SchoolNets and ICT integration in classrooms; Lifelong learning, workplace training, professional development and non-formal adult and community education; and Instructional design, learner support and assessment in e-learning. Adapted from the publisher's description.

Aimed at early years consultants and practitioners in Britain, this resource is intended to raise the quality of learning and teaching throughout each stage of the early years. It notes that many early years practitioners shy away from using the word 'teaching' to describe their work with children, perhaps because of the perception that teaching implies a particular 'top-down' or formal way of working with children. In response, the report argues for a broader and more subtle approach and covers the many different ways in which adults help children to learn, including play-based learning and playful activity. The full report is available online.