Discovery of novel microRNA biogenesis and functional components. Discovery of novel microRNA components will provide new strategies for confronting a diverse array of challenges Australia faces, such as the increasing rates of certain cancers in our population, to stresses on our crop plants faced with environmental changes. The biological mechanisms underlying these disparate problems are unified by microRNA involvement in many instances. By finding microRNA controlling factors common to all h ....Discovery of novel microRNA biogenesis and functional components. Discovery of novel microRNA components will provide new strategies for confronting a diverse array of challenges Australia faces, such as the increasing rates of certain cancers in our population, to stresses on our crop plants faced with environmental changes. The biological mechanisms underlying these disparate problems are unified by microRNA involvement in many instances. By finding microRNA controlling factors common to all higher organisms, we expect our community will benefit from the increased knowledge base that will help our researchers adopt new strategies in fighting diseases and improving our agricultural industry.Read moreRead less
Mathematical Modelling in Early Education. This study is about enhancing children's and teachers' capacities to engage in basic mathematical modelling, which lays the foundation for working with complex systems. New and innovative learning experiences will provide all children with future-oriented mathematical understandings and social skills that are essential for effective participation in a knowledge-based society, but are underrepresented in current curricula. A new research approach, multil ....Mathematical Modelling in Early Education. This study is about enhancing children's and teachers' capacities to engage in basic mathematical modelling, which lays the foundation for working with complex systems. New and innovative learning experiences will provide all children with future-oriented mathematical understandings and social skills that are essential for effective participation in a knowledge-based society, but are underrepresented in current curricula. A new research approach, multilevel collaboration, will be adopted involving children, teachers, research students, and researchers in an international learning community. The outcomes will include explanatory models of children's and teachers' modelling developments, the training of new research scholars, the documentation of innovative curriculum, and advancements in teacher education.Read moreRead less
Primary classroom teacher-student interactions, cultural learning environments and their relationships with students' attitudes and understanding of science concepts. This project examines associations between teacher-student interactions and primary students' perceptions of cultural factors of learning environments with students' attitudes towards science and their understanding of science concepts. In the tradition of classroom environment research, the study will use interviews and questionna ....Primary classroom teacher-student interactions, cultural learning environments and their relationships with students' attitudes and understanding of science concepts. This project examines associations between teacher-student interactions and primary students' perceptions of cultural factors of learning environments with students' attitudes towards science and their understanding of science concepts. In the tradition of classroom environment research, the study will use interviews and questionnaires to obtain students' perceptions of their primary classrooms. In-depth studies will then be made of particular classrooms with the aim of enhancing the description of primary school science teaching. The project will lead to a systematic understanding of what is happening in primary school science and a direction for teachers to implement desirable changes in their teaching.Read moreRead less
The role of subject-matter knowledge in teaching science and mathematics: Practices of teachers with advanced qualifications in the sciences. High quality science and mathematics education is central to economic prosperity. This study will achieve two outcomes. Firstly it explores the importance of subject matter knowledge in teaching. Much has been studied about the knowledge of teachers but limited research has been conducted with teachers who have substantial subject-matter knowledge. These f ....The role of subject-matter knowledge in teaching science and mathematics: Practices of teachers with advanced qualifications in the sciences. High quality science and mathematics education is central to economic prosperity. This study will achieve two outcomes. Firstly it explores the importance of subject matter knowledge in teaching. Much has been studied about the knowledge of teachers but limited research has been conducted with teachers who have substantial subject-matter knowledge. These findings will inform the current debate about the appropriate models of teacher education and the balance of emphasis on content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. Secondly, given a number of attempts to attract mid career professionals with high qualifications to teaching, the study will provide evidence on how these people transition to their new careers and what support is needed.Read moreRead less
Navigating tipping points in complex dynamical systems. This project aims to use applied mathematics to investigate the onset of tipping points in dynamical systems. Working with clinicians and practicing engineers, the project aims to contribute to the development of new treatment regimes for dynamical diseases and develop improved management strategies for resource focussed engineering industries. This should provide significant benefit to many areas, including the personalised treatment of di ....Navigating tipping points in complex dynamical systems. This project aims to use applied mathematics to investigate the onset of tipping points in dynamical systems. Working with clinicians and practicing engineers, the project aims to contribute to the development of new treatment regimes for dynamical diseases and develop improved management strategies for resource focussed engineering industries. This should provide significant benefit to many areas, including the personalised treatment of disease.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
Investigating a classroom simulation designed to support pre-service teacher decision making in planning and implementing literacy teaching. This project investigates teacher mentor and preservice teacher participation in an online simulation of the teaching of literacy in junior primary classrooms. It will investigate how simulation can support preservice teachers to make complex sequences of decisions about the use of language and learning resources, teaching strategies and behaviour managemen ....Investigating a classroom simulation designed to support pre-service teacher decision making in planning and implementing literacy teaching. This project investigates teacher mentor and preservice teacher participation in an online simulation of the teaching of literacy in junior primary classrooms. It will investigate how simulation can support preservice teachers to make complex sequences of decisions about the use of language and learning resources, teaching strategies and behaviour management strategies for a class of virtual students. The simulation will employ embedded cognitive tools to support teacher decision making. Once effective simulation learning of teacher performance is achieved, it will investigate the transfer of these skill to the real classrooms.Read moreRead less
Generating Science Content Knowledge through Digital Animation in a Knowledge-building Community of Preservice Teachers. Sustaining Australia's growth and prosperity is dependent on continuous innovation in the teaching of science. Yet science is one of the least taught subjects in the primary curriculum because teachers lack content knowledge and confidence. This research engages preservice primary teachers in using new technologies to develop their understanding of science content knowledge th ....Generating Science Content Knowledge through Digital Animation in a Knowledge-building Community of Preservice Teachers. Sustaining Australia's growth and prosperity is dependent on continuous innovation in the teaching of science. Yet science is one of the least taught subjects in the primary curriculum because teachers lack content knowledge and confidence. This research engages preservice primary teachers in using new technologies to develop their understanding of science content knowledge through digital animation and to collaborate with other preservice teachers interstate and internationally. The products and processes of digital animation will help maintain and expand Australia's base as a knowledge economy as well as provide a social benefit of improved science teaching in schools. Read moreRead less
Restructuring Statistical Reasoning in the Early School Years: A Longitudinal Study of Data Modelling. Research Priority 2 (the goal, Strengthening Australia's Social and Economic Fabric) is targeted. By providing young learners with the foundations of data modelling, which has been ignored in early curricula, the study will sow the seeds for productive participation in a data-driven society and effective use of its increasingly complex economic and social systems. The foundational statistical i ....Restructuring Statistical Reasoning in the Early School Years: A Longitudinal Study of Data Modelling. Research Priority 2 (the goal, Strengthening Australia's Social and Economic Fabric) is targeted. By providing young learners with the foundations of data modelling, which has been ignored in early curricula, the study will sow the seeds for productive participation in a data-driven society and effective use of its increasingly complex economic and social systems. The foundational statistical ideas and processes to be developed will lay the groundwork for further studies in the key curriculum areas, 'chance and data,' 'probability and statistics,' 'science and society,' and 'life and living.' Professional gains include knowledge of ways to implement mathematical and scientific experiences that capitalise on young children's potential.Read moreRead less
A platform for the efficient optimisation of drug delivery using cross-linked micelles and thioclick-chemistry toward better anti-cancer treatment. The delivery of albendazole - an anti-cancer drug - will be improved by encapsulating the drug into nanoparticles. State of the art polymer chemistry will be employed to generate a versatile drug delivery system. The resulting nanoparticles will be able to better control drug delivery and to enhance cellular uptake of the drug.