A decade’s worth of NAPLAN data and a sweeping review of how writing will be taught in NSW has suggested – strongly in the media – that Australian students’ writing skills are in a sad state of decline. In a ...
More »Social work campaign awaits significant senate decision
The Save Social Work Australia campaign will be anxiously awaiting a decision from the senate today in response to the government’s job-ready graduates package for higher education. The campaign organisers initially wrote to education minister Dan Tehan about the group’s ...
More »Crucial Centre Alliance vote ensures the job-ready graduates package will pass the senate
The government’s job-ready graduate package for higher education is guaranteed to pass the senate after Centre Alliance senator Stirling Griff agreed to support it. The package’s new course fee structure will see students in disciplines such as law and humanities ...
More »Academic slams LANTITE report as ‘flawed’: podcast
CampusReview · The LANTITE report 'was flawed' | Dr David Zyngier Before an internal government report recently revealed that the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) was causing significant concern among pre-service teachers and universities, nine focus ...
More »Strengthening Australia’s agricultural sector during a period of significant challenges: new report
The Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) report released this week identifies and discusses challenges critical to ensuring Australia’s agricultural industry remains competitive in the future. While Australian farmers have a reputation for being among the most “efficient primary producers in ...
More »Poor kids will ‘get a raw deal’: Senator Lambie opposes university funding changes
Firebrand Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie is opposed to the government’s higher education funding changes, saying it will disadvantage poor students and poor families. Lambie said the new bill “makes university life harder for poor kids and poor parents” and was ...
More »Controversial LANTITE test needs to change, report concludes
An internal government report has called for the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) to be held at the beginning of education degrees, so students aren’t potentially wasting their time. In comes after revelations that almost one ...
More »Report finds e-cigarettes are ‘a gateway’ for non-smokers and ineffective for quitting
Research conducted by both the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Melbourne has concluded that using e-cigarettes triples the chances of a non-smoker taking up conventional smoking. The report, which was submitted to the government, also found “insufficient” ...
More »Supporting staff mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19: opinion
Australia’s response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is consistent with international approaches that mandate physical distancing and self-isolation. However, evidence from prior pandemics shows that periods of self-isolation or quarantine are associated with emotions such as anger, frustration and distress. Common ...
More »Technology’s role in empowering change in higher education
Key takeaways Technology is critical for enabling growthIt is critical that implemented solutions are fit for the futureTechnology is conduit for change, but also relies on a conducive culture, people and partnerships for true growth Technology is critical for enabling ...
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