The sponge genome project and the evolution of multicellularity: using comparative genomics and developmental biology to reconstruct the first animals. Recently the entire genome from a living fossil - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef - was sequenced (jointly supported by the ARC and US Department of Energy). As this genome is assembled and analysed, many of the fundamental biological processes that underlie the construction and evolution of all animals, including humans, will be revealed. ....The sponge genome project and the evolution of multicellularity: using comparative genomics and developmental biology to reconstruct the first animals. Recently the entire genome from a living fossil - a sponge from the Great Barrier Reef - was sequenced (jointly supported by the ARC and US Department of Energy). As this genome is assembled and analysed, many of the fundamental biological processes that underlie the construction and evolution of all animals, including humans, will be revealed. In addition, sponge genomics will fuel innovations in medicine and biotechnology. Specifically, sponges are renowned for their capacity to synthesise bioactive compounds used in drug development, and high-grade silica used for semi-conductor construction. This project will identify the gene networks controlling these biosynthetic processes.Read moreRead less
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL DISSECTION OF COBALT ACCUMULATION BY PLANTS. Co is a valuable metal for the Australian economy. The project will advance phytomining of non-economic Co ores and also the phytoremediation of (60)Co-contaminated soils. It will assist development of phytotechnologies for Co, eg improvement of Co content of fodder crops for ruminants in Co-deficient areas. All these applications will benefit ARC's National Research Priorities Goal 1: an environmentally friendly Australi ....PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL DISSECTION OF COBALT ACCUMULATION BY PLANTS. Co is a valuable metal for the Australian economy. The project will advance phytomining of non-economic Co ores and also the phytoremediation of (60)Co-contaminated soils. It will assist development of phytotechnologies for Co, eg improvement of Co content of fodder crops for ruminants in Co-deficient areas. All these applications will benefit ARC's National Research Priorities Goal 1: an environmentally friendly Australia. Understanding Co uptake by accumulator species will also promote awareness, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in Australia. Outcomes will impact on Goal 3: frontier technologies, as the potential spin-off applications of Co-based phytotechnologies will fuel future environmental technologies in Australia.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
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
Molecular and genetic analysis of epigenetic components in a model plant. Australia is a major exporter of agricultural food crops thus producers must maintain their competitive advantage in order to compete on the world stage. Food crops unfortunately have large, complex genomes that are not sequenced and a generation time of months that makes research outcomes slow to achieve. This project proposes to utilise a model plant that has a small completely sequenced genome and a short generation tim ....Molecular and genetic analysis of epigenetic components in a model plant. Australia is a major exporter of agricultural food crops thus producers must maintain their competitive advantage in order to compete on the world stage. Food crops unfortunately have large, complex genomes that are not sequenced and a generation time of months that makes research outcomes slow to achieve. This project proposes to utilise a model plant that has a small completely sequenced genome and a short generation time making it ideal to study the fundamental biological process of RNA silencing. Discoveries and outcomes from this project may have the potential to benefit Australian crops, ecosystems and human health.Read moreRead less