What's newAustralian Government launches $2m Agriculture in Education initiativeThe Australian Government has launched a set of online teaching and learning resources on food and agriculture, aligned to Australian Curriculum learning areas including science and geography. Topics covered by the materials include designing and making a financial plan for a market garden, free range chicken farming, food security, and sustainable production practices in food and fibre. Further support for the introduction of coding in schoolsThe introduction of computer coding in schools continues to be a lively topic of discussion in the education media. An article in eSchool News 14 May 2015 sets out reasons for the importance of learning to code, while a blog post in Edutopia, also 14 May 2015, discusses how educators with no background in technology can begin their own process of learning in the area. Steep rise in numbers of international students in public schoolsOver the last year there has been a 17 per cent increase in the proportion of foreign students enrolling in government-run primary and high schools. See report on ABC News 20 May 2015. NSW students studying advanced maths in HSC 'stung with lower marks in ATAR'Current scaling mechanisms for tertiary admissions 'unfairly advantage general mathematics students' over those who take a more demanding course, according to a recent study. See article in the Canberra Times 19 May 2015. Replacing 'learned helplessness' with self-directed learningA blog post in Edutopia 11 May 2015 suggests ways to challenge students who have become habitually passive learners. Is homework worthwhile?An article in Edudemic 15 May 2015 considers the pros and cons of homework, as well as alternatives, and ways to discuss homework with students. Review of school-based child abuse prevention programsA free article in Psychology in the Schools January 2015 reviews child abuse prevention programs. |