All Systems Go - Providing Insight with the Science of Learning
Insight into Learning is Catholic Education Tasmania’s newest project that is based on the science of learning, and the science of reading. Insight into Learning aims to empower all educators to help their students grow in knowledge, wisdom, and service.
On 31 January 2023, CET hosted nearly 2000 educators in four different locations throughout the state at an All System Day, as CET educators were informed by a panel of educational experts on the importance of high impact teacher instruction and practice. It was announced during the launch of Insight into Learning that Catholic Education Tasmania aims to reach a bold goal of becoming the most improved educational system in Australia.
Insight into Learning began in 2022 on the back of Catalyst, Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn’s teaching project which uses evidence-based teaching and learning approaches through the science of learning and science of reading. Upon discussions with our colleagues in the nation’s capital, Catholic Education Tasmania wanted to provide these opportunities to Tasmanian staff and students. Led by Executive Director Gerard Gaskin, and Project Lead Jennifer White, we welcomed CET Principals, teachers, and learning support staff to learn about the project.
Jennifer White explained, “Insight into Learning is Catholic Education Tasmania's teaching approach, designed for optimal and sustained student learning and achievement, founded on the principles of the Science of Learning - the evidence-based body of knowledge on how students learn and the implications for teaching.” Jennifer said, “Insight into Learning prioritises: a knowledge rich curriculum and high impact teaching practices that consider pace and content, manage cognitive load and include frequent checks for understanding for every new concept.”
Through Insight into Learning, CET is focusing on improving three key areas of teaching and learning:
- How we teach
- What we teach
- What our students have learned
Executive Director: CET, Gerard Gaskin discussed the importance of Insight into Learning, “The Insight into Learning project, deeply grounded in the science of learning, provides three powerful levers for change in our educational practice that are aimed squarely at enhancing achievement for every student.” Dr Gaskin said, “Through the science of learning, we are providing our educators with the tools to optimise their classroom practice to provide real improvement in the academic and social achievement of every student.”
The event was based at Wrest Point Casino in Hobart, with three other locations throughout Tasmania simultaneously broadcasting the All System Day. Attendees, virtually and in person, had the opportunity to listen to six different presentations on important aspects of the Insight into Learning project. Oliver Lovell, Dr Lorraine Hammond AM, Toni Hatten-Roberts, Michael Roberts, Dr Nathaniel Swain, and Reid Smith used their knowledge and experience, to help further enlighten CET staff on how best to utilise this change in their own educational practices. There were also opportunities for educators who attended the All System Day to have lengthy discussions about the concepts and presentations they had just heard, and importantly it was one of the first occasions since COVID-19 for staff in each of the regions to be in the same location. Attendees of the Insight into Learning day spoke glowingly of the high quality and professionalism of each of the presentations that were shared with staff on the day.
Catholic Education hopes to nurture every student’s full potential as part of the Insight into Learning project. Educators will be working together to ensure that the science of learning knowledge, and specific high impact teaching practices help influence every subject at every level, in every CET school. It is hoped that by bettering our teacher’s understanding of the science of learning and how it can effectively be applied in the day-to-day context of teaching, that better outcomes will be achieved for our students. By increasing our teacher’s performance, the more that students within Catholic education in Tasmania will be able to understand, learn and know.
Insight into Learning is set to host two further development days later in the year, which will provide the 24 participating CET schools with system-wide training and development for all educators. It was announced during the All System Day that Catholic Education Tasmania would also be hosting the Teaching Matters: Science of Learning National Summit in Hobart, from 2 – 4 April 2023 alongside Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn. The summit will provide participants with access to some of the leading national and international educational experts on the research behind high impact teaching practices, the use of practical case studies and participate in valuable Q&A sessions, whilst engaging with other like-minded educators in such an integral topic in education. Further information on this worthwhile summit can be found here.