Welcome to the spring edition of the SLRC Bulletin, we hope you enjoy it.

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Multitasking and the developing brain

Dr Natasha Matthews will discuss the latest research on the influence of technology-multitasking on brain development.

Brisbane 12 October 2016, 4.30pm-6.00pm, Queensland Brain Institute, The Univeristy of Queensland

Click on the links for more information or to register

Confusion, error and feedback

Part of the Bastow Institute's Horizon seminar series, featuring Professor John Hattie, in discussion with panellists Dr Jason Lodge and Dr Jared Hovarth

Melbourne 17 November 2016 (or via video conference)

For more information or to register go to the Bastow website

We know that teaching students to use and interpret different representational tools is critically important if they are to be scientifically literate, to understand how scientific ideas and concepts are represented and to appreciate how scientists think and act. In a recent case study, members of the SLRC combined video and biometric data with individual assessments to construct a rich picture of the relationship between the teacher's use of multimodal representations and cooperative small groups wth the students' use of scientific language, physiological engagement and their beliefs and attitudes towards science.

Gillies, R., Carroll, A., Cunnington, R., Rafter, M., Palghat, K., Bednark, J., Bourgeois, A. (2016) Multimodal representations during an inquiry problem-solving activiy in a Year 6 science class: A case study investigating cooperation, physiological arousal and belief states. Australian Journal of Education 0(0) 1-17

SLRC researchers have developed a model of learning, that proposes various learning strategies are powerful at certain stages in the learning cycle.  The model is based around the three phases of learning - surface, deep and transfer, and describes the inputs and outputs of skill, will and thrill. 

Hattie, J., Donoghue, G. (2016) Learning strategies: a synthesis and conceptual model. npj Science of Learning 1, 16013; doi:10.1038/npjscilearn.2016.13

In a recent publication in the journal Early Human Development, Professor Collette Tayler and her team reported on a study to determine the validity of the culturally adapted ASQ-3 - the ASQ-TRAK - for Australian Aboriginal Children.  The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) is widely used in Australia as a developmental screening tool, however there was no evidence to suggest it was appropriate for remote-dwelling Australian Aboriginal children. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, concluded that the ASQ-TRAK shows promise as a tool that can be used to improve developmental monitoring for remote dwelling Australian Aboriginal Children.

Simpson, S., D'Aprano, A., Tayler, C., Khoo, S. T., Highfold, R. (2016) Validation of a culturally adapted developmental screening tool for Australian Aboriginal children: Early findings and next steps. Early Human Development 103: 91-95.

Professor Ross Cunnington will travel to Switzerland in October as one of five people worldwide  to be awarded a Science of Learning Fellowship through a new program established by the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) in partnership with the International Bureau of Education (IBE) and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The IBRO Science of Learning Initiative is the result of IBRO’s efforts to establish a global partnership that recognises neuroscience research as crucial to increasing the understanding of how the human brain learns. The IBE is seeking partnerships with Science of Learning researchers around the world to provide the evidence-base for what makes quality education.

As part of his research, Ross measures biometric signals of alertness and arousal levels in learners in both class-room settings and the laboratory.  This is providing unique insights into group dynamics in the classroom and how various forms of attention affect learning.

All of the PEN Principles are now available on the Resource section of the SLRC website.  Each priniciple is based on evidence from Psychology, Education and Neuroscience.

The Principles cover topics such as why written text and the spoken word don't mix, and visual images and spoken words mix well.  The PEN Principles are available in three formats, podcast, video and leaflet. There is also a blog for you to share your experience with the Principles

We are extremely grateful to the Queensland Department of Education and Training for its support of the Teacher-in-Residence inititative.

Is neuroscience a bridge too far from education?, is a perpetual question at the SLRC and was the focus of the Student and Early Career Researchers retreat held by the Centre in August. 
Having the opportunity to perceive this question through the eyes and experience of colleagues in neuroscience and cognitive psychology has been one of the most significant benefits of my time with the Centre.  As an educator, I believe it is fair to say we are in the business of brains and so it is essential to have an understanding of neurological learning pathways.  A common point raised in my working group at the retreat was that research being undertaken by the Centre is helping provide educational practitioners with tools that are scientifically validated to aid in the improvement of learning, both academic and social/emotional.

The retreat provided junior researchers in the SLRC another invaluable opportunity to work collaboratively to further unpack the links between the three primary disciplines of the Centre, with many participants generating coauthored papers soon to be available through publications such as ACER’s Teacher Magazine.  The retreat also played host to an esteemed and insightful career panel.  Guidance on striving for success in a developing research career was provided by Professor Barry McGaw (Chair of the SLRC Advisory Board and Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, University of Melbourne), Professor Brendan Weekes (Science of Learning, The University of Hong Kong), Dr Angela Ferguson (Director, Research Services, Queensland Department of Education and Training) and Dr Stuart Kohlhagen (Deputy Director and Director of Science and Learning, Questacon), who highlighted the various employment paths research can evolve into. We are extremely grateful to them for sharing their experiences, wisdom and knowledge with us.

As we continue to seek innovation and creativity in education it is encouraging to know that substantiated change, in both practice and outcomes, is not only possible but readily available.  As a closing note, I urge readers to explore the PEN Principles now available on the SLRC website.  Simple and effective, these resources are a great way to change personal practice or generate discussion in class and/or staff rooms.

We are extremely grateful to the Victorian Department of Education and Training for its support of the Teacher-in-Residence initiative.

As the 2016 school and academic year nears its inevitable finale, we begin to consider what next year could possibly have install for the SLRC. For the researchers and the ongoing commitment of the Centre to positively impact the practice and policy in the Australian education context, the work must continue.

An increasing level of engagement and collaboration with the Department of Education and Training here in Victoria over the past 12 months, has provided improved invaluable connections to schools and with the professional practice more broadly. A strengthened affiliation between the policy agenda of the Victorian Government and the Science of Learning Research Centre via a schedule of strategic engagement has now facilitated conversations around possible partnerships beyond the current tenure. Senior department executives are currently considering what an ongoing relationship with the SLRC might look like.

The first in a series of three twilight seminars hosted by SLRC and delivered at the Bastow Institute was a tremendous success. The feedback from practitioners and policy makers suggests that there is a real appetite for future sessions in 2017. The professional learning program is giving SLRC researchers a chance to share their work with teachers and school leaders; and is also providing professionals working at the coalface with access to high quality professional insights. I’d like to thank Professor David Clarke, Dr Esther Chan and Carmel Mesiti for their excellent exposition entitled, ‘Translating the Science of Learning into Practice - Talking in and about Mathematics classrooms, student and teacher learning’. The next session is planned for Thursday November 17. It will be streamed through Bastow’s YouTube channel and Polycom sessions are available. Please, join Professor John Hattie, Dr Jared Horvath and Dr Jason ‘Lodgey’ Lodge anyway you can.
Follow this link.
http://www.bastow.vic.edu.au/professional-practice-and-events/display-event?eventID=424

A program of engagement has commenced with a group of 5 primary schools in the outer south-eastern Melbourne suburb of Dandenong as they begin to consider the association between the formal early learning programs in their onsite pre-schools, and their primary school curriculum and teaching structures. I’ll be spending time in and with these schools during the term. It is important, I believe, that we are able to demonstrate the impact of our research on the lives of young people and their families within Australian schools. I look forward to sharing the exciting developments with these learning communities in the coming months.

Multitasking and the developing brain

Dr Natasha Matthews will discuss the latest research on the influence of technology-multitasking on brain development.

Brisbane 12 October 2016, 4.30pm-6.00pm, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland

Click on the links for more information or to register

Confusion, error and feedback

Part of the Bastow Institute's Horizon seminar series, featuring Professor John Hattie, in discussion with panellists Dr Jason Lodge and Dr Jared Hovarth

Melbourne 17 November 2016 (or via video conference)

For more information or to register go to the Bastow website.

ACER Exellence in Professional Practice Conference

A conference exploring the best practice in education; presented by practitioners, for practitioners

Gold Coast 25-26 May 2017

Science of Learning Research Conference and Practitioner Forum

The conference will feature leading international researchers, and include a Practitioner Forum showcasing collaborative projects between the SLRC and Australian schools. 

Brisbane 18-22 September 2017

SLRC Seminars

The SLRC Seminar Series, in Melbourne and Brisbane, are continuing in 2016 and 2017. Visit www.slrc.org.au for more details.