Research Developments

School improvement

Geoff N. Masters — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:33:06 PST

Improving our national educational performance depends on ensuring high quality leadership and effective classroom teaching in all Australian schools, as Geoff Masters explains.

Digital assessments of early learning

Danielle Anzai — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:33:05 PST

Danielle Anzai reports on an innovative computer-based early-years literacy and numeracy assessment that puts young learners at the controls.

Reading in online environments

Juliette Mendelovits — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:33:04 PST

Juliette Mendelovits examines the results of an international assessment of 15-year-old students’ ability to read digital texts.

The 'digital natives' and ICT literacy

Julian Fraillon — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:33:03 PST

Julian Fraillon reports on the latest national assessment of information and communication technology literacy.

Research Developments (No. 28) -- Summer 2012-2013 (complete issue)

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:32:57 PST

Table of contents for this issue: (a) The 'digital natives' and ICT literacy; (b)Reading in online environments; (c) Digital assessments of early learning; (d) School improvement.

Encouraging children to walk and ride

Catherine Underwood — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:36:22 PDT

As Australian school children and parents were encouraged to literally join hands in May and participate in Walk Safely to School Day, Catherine Underwood examines some of the perceived barriers and enablers to children’s independent mobility.

The findings in this article are drawn from data looking at children’s independent mobility and active transport collected in 2010 with funding from VicHealth. Further information is available from http://research.acer.edu.au/cimat/

Educating for informed and active citizenship

Wolfram Schulz — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:36:21 PDT

One of the goals of Australian schooling is to prepare young people to participate in a democratic society. Wolfram Schulz describes the latest findings of the National Assessment Program – Civics and Citizenship, in light of this goal.

Philanthropy and education : working together

Michelle Anderson — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:36:21 PDT

Michelle Anderson reports on a national study of schools, philanthropics and not-for-profits that reveals a gap between those ‘in the know’ and those not, but also identifies better ways to build, share and exchange knowledge.

Research Developments (No. 27) -- Winter 2012

Wed, 30 May 2012 21:36:20 PDT

Table of contents for this issue: (a) Painting a picture of the teaching workforce; (b) Educating for informed and active citizenship; (c) Philanthropy and education : working together; (d) Encouraging children to walk and ride.

Painting a picture of the teaching workforce

Phillip McKenzie — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:36:20 PDT

The latest Staff in Australia’s Schools survey has captured a detailed image of the current teaching workforce and has highlighted issues for future workforce planning. Phillip McKenzie describes the survey and its results.

The science of learning

Geoff Masters — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:37:45 PST

Geoff Masters explains how an emerging field of research called the science of learning is improving our understanding of how students learn.

A new era in early years learning

Bridie Raban — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:37:44 PST

Bridie Raban explains the impact of changes to Australian early childhood education legislation that come into effect in 2012, for which ACER has conducted an evaluation.

Addressing educational disadvantage

Adrian Beavis — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:37:44 PST

ACER was commissioned by the Review of Funding for Schooling Panel to assess the way school funding is targeted to disadvantaged students. Adrian Beavis discusses the findings of the report.

Indigenous primary school experiences

Kate Reid — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:37:43 PST

Kate Reid discusses the findings of a seven-year study of the literacy and numeracy achievement of Indigenous students as they progress through primary school.

Research Developments (No. 26) -- Summer 2011-2012

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:37:41 PST

Table of contents for this issue: (a) Indigenous primary school experiences; (b) A new era in early years learning; (c) Addressing educational disadvantage; (d) The science of learning.

Examining the use of ICT in mathematics and science teaching

John Ainley — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:30:20 PDT

Australian science and mathematics teachers are leaders in the use
of ICT in school education according to an international comparative
study, and ACER is set to lead further research in this area.
John Ainley explains.

Maximising the impact of philanthropy in education

Michelle Anderson — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:30:19 PDT

New research is investigating the impact of philanthropy in education. Michelle Anderson explains the Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP) project.

School-community partnerships benefit all

Michele Lonsdale — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:30:18 PDT

New research into the NAB Schools First program shows that school–community partnerships are having a positive effect on student outcomes.

Challenges for Australian education

Sue Thomson — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:30:17 PDT

Sue Thompson asks if Australia’s above average but declining performance in an international study of reading, mathematics and scientific literacy should be cause for concern.

Research Developments (No.25) Winter 2011

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:30:15 PDT

Table of contents for this issue: (a) Challenges for Australian education; (b) School-community partnerships benefit all; (c) Maximising the impact of philanthropy in education; (d) Examining the use of ICT in mathematics and science teaching.