With high stakes testing and a crowded curriculum, something fundamental is being left behind in education – storytelling.
Some might argue that speaking and listening have always been undervalued in…
Asian languages are important, but they should be one part of a greater focus on Asia in the curriculum.
Asian image from www.shutterstock.com
Despite the breadth of issues in the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper released this week, so far the debate has focused largely on language learning in schools. With fewer and fewer students…
Former Prime Minister John Howard is misinformed about the Australian history curriculum.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
There is a great deal of derogatory, evidence-free and ill-informed opinion about how history is taught in Australian schools. But these tired arguments are so often repeated that we can actually put them…
Young people and politics aren’t mixing – how can teachers help change that?
Hands image from www.shutterstock.com
How much do students know about politics? Or perhaps a better question is: how much do they care?
Recent polling and studies have caused great consternation amongst commentators about an apparent declining…
Opposition education spokesman Christopher Pyne’s recent comments show his misunderstanding of curriculum.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
On the ABC’s Q&A program on Monday night, Shadow Minister for Education Christopher Pyne was asked what the Liberal Party would do about the national (history) curriculum if they came to power. Pyne…
If the same parts of Australian history are taught over and over again, we shouldn’t be surprised that students lose interest.
Flickr/murphyeppoon
Buried away in the correspondence columns of last week’s Sunday Age, a former history teacher’s letter “Where’s our history?” started an intense and confused debate about a “threat” by the national curriculum…
A good knowledge of the different religions should be part of a National Curriculum.
Flickr/Jake Wasdin
After last week’s High Court challenge verdict on funding chaplains in schools, religious education is back in the headlines.
The role of religion in Australian schools has been vigorously debated for…
Speedy and decisive action is needed from the government to ensure our future energy security.
Flickr/Cayusa
That “Eureka” moment when a student thunders over an educational hurdle opening up a new realm of learning, is the holy grail for educators.
The technical term is a “threshold concept”, and they’re being…
