What's newThe Final Report of the Review of the Australian CurriculumThe Final Report of the Review of the Australian Curriculum has been released. See response from the Australian Government. See also report on ABC News, commentary in The Conversation, article in The Age, commentary in the Sydney Morning Herald, article in News.com.au and media release from the Australian Education Union, all 12 October 2014. (Update 13 October 2014) ACARA releases Work Studies curriculumACARA has released the Australian Curriculum: Work Studies, a stand-alone, elective subject for students in years 9-10. 'The work studies curriculum is a response to key work-related issues young people are facing today and in the future. It provides young people with the essential knowledge, understanding and skills for participation in the rapidly changing world of work, aiming to help them plan and shape their future and make a contribution to the wider community.' From ACARA News, 8 October 2014. See also article in Education HQ 8 October 2014. NAP – ICT Literacy sample assessmentsOver the next month approximately 12,000 Australian students from Years 6 and 10 will be sitting the National Assessment Program – Information and Communication Technology Literacy (NAP – ICT Literacy) sample tests online. See report in ACARA Update extra 10 October 2014. Australian universities rise in world rankingsThe Times Higher Education has published its World University Rankings 2014-2015. See article in ABC News 2 October 2014, discussing Australian universities' performance and current changes in the funding of Australian tertiary education. See also opinion article in The Conversation 9 October 2014. New tool to help VET teachers source apps for mobile learningAn interactive App Decision Tool has been developed to help vocational education and training (VET) teachers source apps to meet mobile learning goals. The tool aims to help users define their requirements and explain how to go about satisfying them. The project was funded by the National VET E-learning Strategy and overseen by the E standards Expert Group (EEG), the VET sector’s national forum for collaboratively reviewing and recommending technical standards to support e-learning. See statement from the Flexible Learning Advisory Group, 26 September 2014. Researchers explore reasons for China's success in primary mathsBased on a recent study and earlier research literature, academics in England argue for whole-class, interactive learning as a way to teach upper-primary maths. See article in The Conversation 26 September 2014. Mixed response to 'phonics check' in EnglandMore children in England are passing phonics tests, a result hailed by the government. See statement from the Department of Education 25 September, report on BBC News 26 September 2014, comment in The Guardian 25 September, and critical responses in The Guardian 29 September 2014. Follow Curriculum and Leadership Journal on TwitterFor news updates between editions of the journal, follow Curriculum and Leadership Journal on Twitter. |