Increasing Behavioural Flexibility in Children with Autism. Autism is a developmental disorder associated with social and language deficits and an abnormal resistance to change. The number of children diagnosed with autism is increasing, as are the social and economic costs to Australia. While programs exist for teaching social and language skills, effective strategies for teaching the child how to cope with change are lacking. This project aims to discover educational procedures for increasing ....Increasing Behavioural Flexibility in Children with Autism. Autism is a developmental disorder associated with social and language deficits and an abnormal resistance to change. The number of children diagnosed with autism is increasing, as are the social and economic costs to Australia. While programs exist for teaching social and language skills, effective strategies for teaching the child how to cope with change are lacking. This project aims to discover educational procedures for increasing the child's tolerance for and ability to cope with change. By doing so, the project will benefit Australian families and teachers who need effective, research-based procedures for managing this core feature of autism. Read moreRead less
Knowledge for teaching primary mathematics: How teachers' pedagogical content knowledge develops and affects classroom practices and students' mathematics achievement. The study will investigate mathematics teaching in upper primary school, to identify the influence of teachers? mathematics-specific pedagogical knowledge, first on teaching practice and subsequently on students? learning outcomes. Case study evidence shows this influence is strong, but statistical evidence shows it is weak. This ....Knowledge for teaching primary mathematics: How teachers' pedagogical content knowledge develops and affects classroom practices and students' mathematics achievement. The study will investigate mathematics teaching in upper primary school, to identify the influence of teachers? mathematics-specific pedagogical knowledge, first on teaching practice and subsequently on students? learning outcomes. Case study evidence shows this influence is strong, but statistical evidence shows it is weak. This study aims to resolve this paradox by employing quality data that probes the heart of teaching and learning mathematics within a statistical study. The growth of knowledge and classroom practices of teachers graduating from two contrasting pre-service programs will also be tracked, to inform recommendations on the nature of discipline-specific pedagogical knowledge in teacher training.Read moreRead less
Statistical Literacy for the Twenty-first Century: A Consolidated Model of Understanding for Application to Learning in Context. The overall aim of this project is to achieve a complete developmental model of school students? understanding of the concepts required to participate as statistically literate members of society. Australia is now an information- and data-driven society and to achieve its goals economically, scientifically, and socially, it requires citizens who can make decisions base ....Statistical Literacy for the Twenty-first Century: A Consolidated Model of Understanding for Application to Learning in Context. The overall aim of this project is to achieve a complete developmental model of school students? understanding of the concepts required to participate as statistically literate members of society. Australia is now an information- and data-driven society and to achieve its goals economically, scientifically, and socially, it requires citizens who can make decisions based on appropriate quantitative understanding. A major component of this is statistical literacy. The outcomes of this project based on the theoretical model will include assessment instruments, recommendations for the school curriculum, and trialed learning materials and technologies shown to contribute to understanding, for classroom use.Read moreRead less
Young children's world-making through music: Young children's identity construction in and through music. The research addresses the National Research Priority Goal of "A Healthy Start to Life" by providing new information on music's role in generating positive mental health and well-being outcomes for young children with a focus on their construction of identity in and through music. This research will impact on early childhood policy and practices in child-care and early learning settings. It ....Young children's world-making through music: Young children's identity construction in and through music. The research addresses the National Research Priority Goal of "A Healthy Start to Life" by providing new information on music's role in generating positive mental health and well-being outcomes for young children with a focus on their construction of identity in and through music. This research will impact on early childhood policy and practices in child-care and early learning settings. It will inform the development of programs that build strong self-identity, contribute to the emotional health of young children, and promote the social engagement of young children, factors that are foundational to subsequent success in formal schooling.Read moreRead less
Shifting the Culture of Out-of-field Professional Education for Teachers. This project aims to model an education system that would diversify the expertise of teachers as part of attending to long-term teacher shortage. It responds to a pressing national need for a system of valued and accessible professional education (PE) for out-of-field teachers. The project draws on perspectives from schools, governments and PE providers to expose current practices, cultural norms, and policies; propose an ....Shifting the Culture of Out-of-field Professional Education for Teachers. This project aims to model an education system that would diversify the expertise of teachers as part of attending to long-term teacher shortage. It responds to a pressing national need for a system of valued and accessible professional education (PE) for out-of-field teachers. The project draws on perspectives from schools, governments and PE providers to expose current practices, cultural norms, and policies; propose an 'ideal' PE ecosystem that values re-specialisation in the core subjects; and develop principles to inform policy and practice needed to attain this ideal. The evidence-based framing of PE will inform efforts by schools, PE providers and policy makers to sustain a highly capable, adaptive and specialised teaching workforce.Read moreRead less
Does binocular vision training enhance literacy among primary school children with poor reading? One in ten Australian children can not read well despite adequate intelligence and opportunity. This project aims to find out the extent that these reading problems reflect poor binocular vision (the eyes not working well together) and evaluate new treatments.
Gender Affirmation in Childhood: Protective Factors and Strategies . This interdisciplinary study aims to explore Australian Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) children’s experiences of affirming their gender. It is innovative methodologically for inclusion of arts-based methods with children, and multiple perspectives from TGD children (5-16), peer allies, parents, healthcare professionals and educators. TGD young people are a rapidly growing population, disproportionately affected by intentional s ....Gender Affirmation in Childhood: Protective Factors and Strategies . This interdisciplinary study aims to explore Australian Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) children’s experiences of affirming their gender. It is innovative methodologically for inclusion of arts-based methods with children, and multiple perspectives from TGD children (5-16), peer allies, parents, healthcare professionals and educators. TGD young people are a rapidly growing population, disproportionately affected by intentional self-harm and suicidality. The project expects to generate new understandings of gender, the lived experiences of TGD children and families, and protective factors in their lives. Significant benefits should be informing theory, policy, and early interventions and co-development of resources for key stakeholders. Read moreRead less
Sibling influence on development of children with autism spectrum disorder. This project aims to investigate how typically-developing siblings affect the development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD involves difficulties with language, executive functions and social understanding. For typically-developing children, growing up with siblings gives an advantage in these cognitive functions. Yet little is known about how having siblings’ impacts on cognitive development of childr ....Sibling influence on development of children with autism spectrum disorder. This project aims to investigate how typically-developing siblings affect the development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD involves difficulties with language, executive functions and social understanding. For typically-developing children, growing up with siblings gives an advantage in these cognitive functions. Yet little is known about how having siblings’ impacts on cognitive development of children with ASD. The project intends to longitudinally explore the mechanisms of sibling impact in families with and without a child with ASD. The outcomes will deepen understanding of child development, providing an evidence base for effective interventions to increase child competence and aiming ultimately to reduce the social costs of ASD.Read moreRead less
School retention through alternative schooling: towards a socially just approach to education. This project is concerned with how mainstream schools may become more socially just and inclusive of all young people through an analysis of alternative schools specifically designed for this purpose. Such a concern is critical for lifting school retention rates of marginalised young people and improving practices in all schools.
De-tabooing depression and anxiety: Mental health communication in old age. This project aims to uncover how older Australians talk about and understand depression and anxiety, and it seeks to raise awareness of these debilitating conditions via new media. There has been much medical research in this area, and while language has been identified as highly relevant for recovery, little is known of how people express their experiences around mental well-being. The research gap is even wider for the ....De-tabooing depression and anxiety: Mental health communication in old age. This project aims to uncover how older Australians talk about and understand depression and anxiety, and it seeks to raise awareness of these debilitating conditions via new media. There has been much medical research in this area, and while language has been identified as highly relevant for recovery, little is known of how people express their experiences around mental well-being. The research gap is even wider for the worst affected in the population — older adults. These illnesses are shrouded in taboo, and symptoms often go undetected. The expected outcomes of the project are improved communication about mental well-being and the celebration of the lives and stories of older Australians — an integral but vulnerable segment of society.Read moreRead less