Today, teachers are constantly encouraged to use evidence-based practices in their classrooms, with a high emphasis on teaching quality.
Yet, sadly, Australia faces ongoing challenges with student educational outcomes. Student results continue to plateau and key pillars of Australian education policy are informed by outdated educational practices dating back as far as the 18th century.
While the emphasis on teaching quality and evidence-based practices is a step in the right direction, it remains insufficient.
Increasingly, research shows that a critical part of advancing Australia’s education system will depend on applying the “science of learning.” But what does this term mean and why is it crucial for educators to understand?
Below, we’ll dive into what the science of learning entails, its key principles and strategies, and how it might be applied to your teaching practice.
“Because new teachers often feel the weight of their responsibilities, many graduate teachers rely on a scientific approach to learning. It gives them control and order, and it also allows them to experiment with their practice in a safe environment.”
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The science of learning studies how students acquire, process and retain knowledge to optimise teaching and learning. It integrates insights from cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience and contemporary education.
The science of learning has two important aspects. The first is understanding and clearly expressing what science tells us about how students learn best. Given that scientific research is broad and constantly evolving, this is a dynamic task requiring constant updates.
