Catholic Education Tasmania host their second Teaching Matters: Science of Learning National Summit
The premise of the Science of Learning is to break down all learning tasks into small, bite-sized pieces, which are then taught sequentially, with frequent check-ins for student understanding - otherwise known as explicit, direct instruction. Among the expert presenters were Dr Lorraine Hammond of Edith Cowan University; educational linguist and author Lyn Stone; Professor Pamela Snow of La Trobe University; education consultant Tom Sherrington; Director of Catholic Education, Canberra and Goulburn, Ross Fox; Dr Jordana Hunter of the Grattan Institute, instructional coach and writer Dr Nathaniel Swain; education consultant and host of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee; and many more. Other highlights of Teaching Matters 2024 included the formal Gala dinner, where guests were treated to an evening of fine dining and live enterainment from Matthew Ives and his Big Band; and a Breakfast With The Experts, offering a stellar line-up of presenters and a gourmet buffet breakfast.
Dr Gerard Gaskin, Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania, said a key message of the summit was that studies in neuroscience have proven that explicit, direct instruction was the most successful method for teaching. “The long-running pedagogical debates of the past, about experiential learning as opposed to explicit instruction have been resolved by the evidence of neuroscience,” Dr Gaskin said. “All humans learn in the same way. The Science of Learning taps into this fundamental reality.”
Over the three days of Teaching Matters 2024, attendees heard from Keynote Speakers, In Conversation presentations and panel discussions. Keynote Speaker Dr Jan Hasbrouck from the USA, who is an international literacy specialist, related how explicit, direct instruction is key to solving declining reading rates nation-wide. “Compelling evidence from a convergence of reading research clearly indicates that approximately 95 per cent of all students can be taught to read at or approaching grade level proficiency in Grades 1 and 2,” Dr Jan Hasbrouck said. “Early instruction makes a world of difference for our students. Early success breeds continued success and early struggles makes what is already a challenging process for many students seem impossible, and they are discouraged to even try.”
Catholic Education Tasmania were honoured to once again host a successful summit, with the Science of Learning being a central component of curriculum in our 38 Catholic schools across Tasmania. In late 2022, Catholic Education Tasmania launched their Insight into Learning program, which equips teachers with knowledge of the Science of Reading and Learning and high impact teaching practices. This comprehensive program provides professional learning and coaching for teachers, so they can improve student learning in every subject, at every level, at every CET school.
In 2024 there are 31 schools within the Archdiocese of Hobart that have embraced the Insight into Learning program. “Science of learning principles provide a framework for explicit instruction which considers cognitive load, and is based on a knowledge-rich curriculum that ensures exceptional educational experiences and deep learning for our young people,” Jennifer White, System Lead of Curriculum and Pedagogy, said. Empowering educators and students with knowledge of the Science of Learning was a crucial theme of Teaching Matters 2024. Thank you to all attendees who travelled from far and wide, to our sponsors, and the staff and organisations who worked hard to make Teaching Matters 2024 a special occasion.
