The Impact of the Kids' Science State Initiative on Scientific Literacy in the Western Australian Community. This research will investigate how participation in the Kids' Science State initiative in Western Australia (a partnership between Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth and the Rio Tinto WA Future Fund) impacts on children, teachers, parents and other community members in terms of promoting scientific literacy. Working in the Pilbara and Albany regions and the metropolitan area, the research ....The Impact of the Kids' Science State Initiative on Scientific Literacy in the Western Australian Community. This research will investigate how participation in the Kids' Science State initiative in Western Australia (a partnership between Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth and the Rio Tinto WA Future Fund) impacts on children, teachers, parents and other community members in terms of promoting scientific literacy. Working in the Pilbara and Albany regions and the metropolitan area, the research will determine the most effective ways to deliver educational resources that promote primary teachers? confidence and willingness to teach science and engage the community in science-related activities. The outcomes will represent a substantial investment in human capital.Read moreRead less
Metacognitive influences on teachers’ use of information and communication technology (ICT) and the implications for teacher professional development. Professional development (PD) of teachers in information and communication technology (ICT) is an urgent educational imperative, presenting significant financial and strategic challenges internationally. Many teachers experience computer anxiety and reluctance in ICT use. This research will progress understanding of metacognitive influences on tea ....Metacognitive influences on teachers’ use of information and communication technology (ICT) and the implications for teacher professional development. Professional development (PD) of teachers in information and communication technology (ICT) is an urgent educational imperative, presenting significant financial and strategic challenges internationally. Many teachers experience computer anxiety and reluctance in ICT use. This research will progress understanding of metacognitive influences on teachers? use of ICT and determine whether metacognitive theories can inform development of a peer-mentored model of teacher PD which will promote ICT capability and life-long learning for teachers. The research will test the effectiveness of the metacognitive approach in promoting whole-school change in the integration of ICT in learning and teaching.Read moreRead less
Intervention in the Number Learning of Low-Attaining 3rd- and 4th-Graders. In recent years, school systems both in Australia and elsewhere in the world have placed increased emphasis on numeracy. Nevertheless, significant numbers of students finish primary school without successfully learning basic arithmetic. These students have little chance of catching up this learning during the secondary school years and of becoming numerate adults. Australia has pioneered the development of intervention pr ....Intervention in the Number Learning of Low-Attaining 3rd- and 4th-Graders. In recent years, school systems both in Australia and elsewhere in the world have placed increased emphasis on numeracy. Nevertheless, significant numbers of students finish primary school without successfully learning basic arithmetic. These students have little chance of catching up this learning during the secondary school years and of becoming numerate adults. Australia has pioneered the development of intervention programs in the early years of school but there are virtually no established intervention programs in the Years 3-6 range. The project involves the use of innovative methodologies and collaboration with teachers to research and develop successful intervention programs.Read moreRead less
Learning and mentoring in high performance sports coaching. Effective coaching is held responsible for Australia's international sporting performance. Yet little is known about how best elite sports coaches learn effective and innovative high-performance coaching practices. This project aims to identify and contribute to effective elite sport coaching development in Australia. This will be achieved through understanding how best current elite coaches learn through their coaching work. Implicatio ....Learning and mentoring in high performance sports coaching. Effective coaching is held responsible for Australia's international sporting performance. Yet little is known about how best elite sports coaches learn effective and innovative high-performance coaching practices. This project aims to identify and contribute to effective elite sport coaching development in Australia. This will be achieved through understanding how best current elite coaches learn through their coaching work. Implications here extend across sport and to other domains of human activity. The contribution of sport to Australian national identity is well established and the economic benefit of sport and more specifically sporting success in Australia is also well recognised.Read moreRead less
'Always on' Learning Communities: M-Learning landscapes transforming school cultures. Australia is going online: Internet access in Australian business is close to 100 percent and is almost 60 percent in households (ABS 2005). Ownership of mobile devices is growing at 10 percent each year and by the end of 2007 it is predicted by Telstra that close to 90 percent of the Australian population will own a mobile device. There has been a government commitment of $73 million for the development of onl ....'Always on' Learning Communities: M-Learning landscapes transforming school cultures. Australia is going online: Internet access in Australian business is close to 100 percent and is almost 60 percent in households (ABS 2005). Ownership of mobile devices is growing at 10 percent each year and by the end of 2007 it is predicted by Telstra that close to 90 percent of the Australian population will own a mobile device. There has been a government commitment of $73 million for the development of online curriculum content in Australia and New Zealand. However, there has been limited research to inform the use of such content in classrooms and no reference to the possibilities of using mobile devices. Sustainable futures rely on the relevant preparation of our young people to succeed in the knowledge society. Read moreRead less
Development and evaluation of an Australian adult health literacy program for socially disadvantaged adults attending Tertiary and Further Education (TAFE). Improving health literacy, basic literacy and numeracy skills are national priorities in Australia. This project will develop and evaluate a health literacy program to help socially disadvantaged adults improve their health knowledge, language literacy and numeracy skills and feel empowered to participate in decisions about their health.
Developing nurses' work as a learning practice. Innovative models of clinical experience are required to enhance the professional learning, ongoing development and retention of nursing students and experienced nurses who support their development. This project directly addresses this need through developing and appraising a model of practice-based learning and participation that reciprocally develops both novice and experienced nurses' capacities and identities. The project can potentially infor ....Developing nurses' work as a learning practice. Innovative models of clinical experience are required to enhance the professional learning, ongoing development and retention of nursing students and experienced nurses who support their development. This project directly addresses this need through developing and appraising a model of practice-based learning and participation that reciprocally develops both novice and experienced nurses' capacities and identities. The project can potentially inform the practices within both tertiary and healthcare organizations about an innovative approach to address issues impacting on the national workforce of nursing and provide a significant contribution to enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the nursing practices within healthcare. Read moreRead less
Aliens and Others: Representing citizenship and internments in Australia during WW2. This project will consider an episode in Australia's wartime history, the classification and internment of aliens in Australia during WW2, and analyse its different representations in historical discourse and personal and collective memory. In partnership with the National Museum of Australia and the National Archives of Australia, an on-line interactive exhibition and an archive incorporating written, spoken an ....Aliens and Others: Representing citizenship and internments in Australia during WW2. This project will consider an episode in Australia's wartime history, the classification and internment of aliens in Australia during WW2, and analyse its different representations in historical discourse and personal and collective memory. In partnership with the National Museum of Australia and the National Archives of Australia, an on-line interactive exhibition and an archive incorporating written, spoken and visual memory will be developed, a public conference presented and scholarly articles written. These outcomes will be a dynamic multi-layered analysis of the changing interactions between history, personal and social memory.Read moreRead less
Human Resource Managers' Contribution to Workplace Performance. This project examines the professional identity and role of Human Resource managers in fostering and implementing strategies that encourage high workplace performance. This is significant because workplace performance affects Australian competitiveness and this will be the first detailed empirical analysis of Australian HR managers that combine case study and survey methods. The findings will develop models and strategies that wil ....Human Resource Managers' Contribution to Workplace Performance. This project examines the professional identity and role of Human Resource managers in fostering and implementing strategies that encourage high workplace performance. This is significant because workplace performance affects Australian competitiveness and this will be the first detailed empirical analysis of Australian HR managers that combine case study and survey methods. The findings will develop models and strategies that will improve professional management standards through academic and business publications, including a book accessible to managers. Educational materials, suitable for higher and continuing education, will also aim to improve the people-related capabilities of human resource and line managers.Read moreRead less
Peer Based Mentoring in Sport: Strategies for Best Practice. Federal and state governments and agencies have acknowleged the need to increase participation in sport. This project will support this important aim because it will generate empirical data about the value and best practice design of mentoring programs in elite and community or school based sport.Such programs are designed to ensure that sport is a forum for promoting positive social behaviours on and off the field and to increase part ....Peer Based Mentoring in Sport: Strategies for Best Practice. Federal and state governments and agencies have acknowleged the need to increase participation in sport. This project will support this important aim because it will generate empirical data about the value and best practice design of mentoring programs in elite and community or school based sport.Such programs are designed to ensure that sport is a forum for promoting positive social behaviours on and off the field and to increase participation in sport by reducing any negative behaviours associated with sporting cultures.Read moreRead less