Columnists articles

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A day in the life of a Malawian school girl
A day in the life of a Malawian school girl

A regular school day for a school girl in Malawi looks vastly different to what her peers experience in Australia, as Julia Gillard witnessed firsthand during a trip to south-east Africa.

Debunking education myths
Debunking education myths

In his first Teacher column of 2017, OECD Director of Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher debunks some of the myths about what makes a successful education system.

Focus on the larger purpose of schooling and improvement may follow
Focus on the larger purpose of schooling and improvement may follow

Success in schools may best be achieved not by pursuing it directly, but as a ‘side-effect’ of an unwavering dedication to the larger educational purpose, writes Professor Geoff Masters AO.

20-year slide in maths and science learning
20-year slide in maths and science learning

With the release of results from the four-yearly Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), Geoff Masters discusses what it will take to lift levels of mathematics and science learning in Australian schools.

A commitment to growth
A commitment to growth

Students begin each school year at very different stages in their learning and development. Nevertheless, every student should be expected to make excellent progress in their learning regardless of their starting point, Professor Geoff Masters AO writes.

Technology reform full of good ideas, poorly executed
Technology reform full of good ideas, poorly executed

Andreas Schleicher says the road to education technology reform is littered with good ideas that are poorly executed, and explains why educators need to be involved in innovation.

Reform and the senior secondary school
Reform and the senior secondary school

Traditional ways of thinking about learning, assessment and educational qualifications are being challenged. Professor Geoff Masters AO discusses the three challenges that a senior secondary school can expect to face.

Julia Gillard – why education cannot wait
Julia Gillard – why education cannot wait

In her first article for Teacher magazine, Julia Gillard outlines the priorities of the new Education Cannot Wait campaign and calls on Australian educators to lend their expertise to the cause.

Mapping progress – using data for teaching and learning
Mapping progress – using data for teaching and learning

It’s important to keep in mind that there are three central uses of data in school education. Professor Geoff Masters AO discusses.

Monitoring student growth
Monitoring student growth

In any given classroom, students are likely to be at very different points in their learning and development. Professor Geoff Masters AO explores why it is important for teachers to be able to track the long-term progress that each student makes.