Sharing our passion for the Science of Learning
Insights from the Teaching Matters Science of Learning Summit | Hobart 2-4 April
Tuesday 4 April 2023
That’s a wrap!
Thank you to everyone who participated in making the Teaching Matters Summit such a successful event. It has been wonderful to experience such deep discussion on the Science of Learning with dedicated educators from across Australia.
For those who have travelled, we hope you have enjoyed your time in Hobart and have a safe journey home!
Discussing the Science of Learning
The final session of the Teaching Matters Summit took place after lunch with a discussion on the Science of Learning from a second panel of experts. The panel consisted of Dr Gerard Gaskin, Ollie Lovell, Lorraine Hammond, Glenn Fahey, Jenny Donovan, and Jordana Hunter.
The panel discussed how to bring the Science of Learning together, and how best to use the knowledge that has been presented to attendees during the Summit.
MC Jane Longhurst thanked everyone for their attendance at this important Summit, and wished everyone well, as Dr Gerard Gaskin farewelled all delegates in what has been a successful three days of learning for educators from around Australia!
In conversation with the experts: knowledge rich curriculum
Led in discussion by Panel Chair Ollie Lovell, the first of two panel discussions to close out the Teaching Matters Science of Learning Summit was centred around knowledge rich curriculum.
Expert panellists gave a number of real-world examples that were shared with delegates to help deepen their understanding of this impactful topic.
The panel included:
- Glenn Fahey, the Project Director of Education Policy at the Centre for Independent Studies,
- Brooke Wardana, the Head of Instruction at Shaping Minds Australia,
- Reid Smith, CEO and Co-founder of Ochre Education,
- Dr Nathaniel Swain, Instructional Coach, Researcher, and Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University, and
- Jocelyn Seamer, Owner of Jocelyn Seamer Education.
Cognitive Science in the classroom
Michael Roberts and Toni Hatten-Roberts from Mastery Schools Australia and COGLearn led our final keynote presentation of the Teaching Matters Summit this morning.
The dynamic duo presented on distractions in the classroom, how our working memory functions, and how hard it can be for students to be able to consume knowledge without having cognitive overload. They went in depth to help delegates understand how cognitive science works, and how best to utilise practical strategies in the classroom.
Address from the Premier of Tasmania
We welcomed Premier of Tasmania, Hon. Jeremy Rockliff, to the Teaching Matters Summit on the third morning.
As part of his address to delegates, Premier Rockliff congratulated Catholic Education Tasmania on the strides we have made in using direct instruction and the Science of Learning and Reading in our classrooms. Premier Rockliff explained his regret at not being able to attend the Summit in its entirety, talked about how passionate he is about education, and reflected on his time as Education Minister for Tasmania.
The importance of explicit and direct instruction
Dr Lorraine Hammond of Edith Cowan University in Western Australia, gave delegates their first in-person presentation for the day.
Dr Hammond helped define the term ‘explicit instruction’, and shared examples of success that she had experienced in the classroom using videos from early childhood, primary, and secondary schooling. Dr Hammond also discussed how the inclusion of a ‘Daily Review’ can reduce cognitive load and build capacity for students of all ages and abilities.
Boosting engagement with students
Hailing all the way from the United Kingdom, Peps McCrae Director of Steplab and Dean of Learning Design at Ambition Institute joined us over Zoom at 12:00am UK time to talk about motivation in the classroom and how to boost engagement with students.
In the first keynote presentation for the day, Mr McCrae offered a framework of five key ideas from the evidence on motivation, whilst also giving delegates five key strategies that can be used to boost attention and effort in the classroom.
Breakfast with the Experts
Delegates at the Teaching Matters Summit were up bright and early this morning as they met for ‘Breakfast with the Experts’. Sponsored by MultiLit the breakfast involved eleven educational experts from the Summit rotating through different tables of delegates in 15 minute time slots.
The rotations allowed attendees the opportunity to listen to a number of different experts in an intimate setting where they were able to ask questions of the experts whilst hearing their perspective on education and the Science of Learning.
Monday 3 April 2023
Gala Dinner
The Teaching Matters Summit Gala Dinner was held in the Tasman Room at Wrest Point.
Attendees were welcomed by the sound of smooth jazz music played by former Catholic Education Tasmania students before Archbishop Julian Porteous said grace.
The Dinner provided an opportunity for attendees to network with fellow delegates and presenters from the Summit, and to share their thoughts on the keynote presentations that took place throughout the day.
Due to unforeseen circumstances Noel Pearson was unfortunately unable to attend the Dinner in person as planned. Mr Pearson provided a pre-recorded speech and was as captivating as ever as he credited Catholic Education Tasmania and Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn for their work within the Science of Learning through their respective projects, Insight into Learning and Catalyst.
Mr Pearson highlighted effective instruction as a means for providing social justice. If educators can use effective instruction it will provide better opportunities for young people around Australia to learn no matter their background or where they live.
Literacy intervention for older students
Jessica Colleu-Terradas, the Senior Officer for Teaching and Learning Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn, wrapped up today’s keynote presentations presenting on Literacy intervention for older students.
Ms Colleu-Terradas's presentation was intended for school leaders and classroom support teachers who need further understanding of how to choose interventions and adjustments for older students who are struggling to read by using a data-based approach.
Creating connection in times of change
Jocelyn Seamer from Jocelyn Seamer Education presented on creating connection in times of change.
Schools are constantly evolving, and changes to school can cause challenges when trying to teach all children to learn to read and write. Ms Seamer outlined three key areas of connection that schools can consider as they navigate the process of implementing new approaches in literacy instruction.
The Science of Learning in Mathematics
The first session after lunch was a presentation from Jordan O’Sullivan, Teacher and Director of Shaping Minds Australia. Mr O'Sullivan presented on the importance of explicit instruction, and how the working memory works.
Mr O'Sullivan used practical tips to make sure that the most important information or instructions to a class of students are given by ensuring that all distractions are removed, and students can be sure that they are taking in the right information.
One sentence at a time
Brooke Wardana from Shaping Minds presented evidence-based instructional routines when teaching writing to help improve writing outcomes for younger students in early learning.
Ms Wardana went in depth to help support early learning teachers with the best way to help students with their sentence structure, whilst explaining how to improve student’s writing through regular, systematic, and explicit instruction in sentence-level writing.
A collaborative journey of two systems embracing a Science of Learning approach
Jennifer White, Project Lead for Insight into Learning at Catholic Education Tasmania and Patrick Ellis, Education Lead from Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn presented about the journey that CET and CECG have been on—guided by the Science of Learning, explicit teaching, and direct instruction.
Most importantly, Mrs White and Mr Ellis discussed how the two systems will continue to collaborate as they share their journey of learning and teaching across their respective systems. They also explained their top considerations for schools and systems that are looking to implement the Science of Learning in their classrooms.
The Science of Language and Reading
This morning delegates heard from one of the most well respected experts on the Science of Reading, Professor Pamela Snow from the School of Education at La Trobe University. Attendees at the CET All System Day earlier this year, and the system-wide launch of Literate Learners for Life in 2022 would be familiar with Professor Snow’s great work in the literacy and reading space.
Professor Snow addressed fundamental questions around the nature of reading and the nature of literacy. She also went in depth to the importance that all children need to learn how to decode when learning to read, but most students need to be taught to do so explicitly.
Science of Learning opportunity across the nation
Dr Jenny Donovan, CEO of the Australia Education Research Organisation (AERO) was the first expert from outside Catholic education to present a keynote presentation. Her presentation on ‘Science of Learning Opportunity Across the Nation’ was based around her experience in using evidence to help influence the education of young people in Australia.
Dr Donovan said “the evidence is in, we know what works,” in reference to the Science of Learning and the importance of generating, presenting, and adopting and implementing evidence to help boost educational outcomes for all children and young people in education.
Opening Address
Day two of the Teaching Matters Summit is underway! Master of Ceremonies Jane Longhurst welcomed delegates to Wrest Point and invited her former high school teacher and Tasmanian Aboriginal June Sculthorpe to lead the Welcome to Country.
The opening address of the Summit was presented by Ross Fox, Director of Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn, and Dr Gerard Gaskin, Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania.
Mr Fox spoke to delegates about the ‘8 Big Ideas’ that CECG are working towards using the Science of Learning, high-impact teaching practice, and explicit instruction. Dr Gaskin explained how curriculum, education practice, and teaching theory has influenced teaching and learning across education over time, and what teaching and learning means to him.
Sunday 2 April 2023
Welcome Reception
The Teaching Matters Science of Learning National Summit began tonight in Hobart at Wrest Point, as over 180 delegates from around the country attended a Welcome Reception this evening. Delegates were entertained by talented student musicians from Mount Carmel College as they enjoyed beverages and finger food.
Project Lead for Insight into Learning Jennifer White and Executive Director Dr Gerard Gaskin from Catholic Education Tasmania, and Education Lead Patrick Ellis and Director Ross Fox from Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn welcomed all attendees and spoke glowingly of the excitement they have to be sharing the work they have been doing in the Science of Learning space.
Delegates were excited to be rubbing shoulders with the Presenters as their anticipation for gaining further educational knowledge was clearly evident. Tomorrow marks the second day of the Summit with the opening address commencing at 8.45am.
Presenters tomorrow include Dr Jenny Donovan, Professor Pamela Snow, Jennifer White and Patrick Ellis, Brooke Wardana, Jordan O’Sullivan, Jocelyn Seamer, and Jessica Colleu Terradas.
