Publications
e-SMaRTE Newsletter [Four issues per year - Coming Soon]
Highlights latest SMT findings and directions, discussions on misconcepts, pre-service/in-service contributions, forthcoming events, reviews of SMT education publications, resources available, contacts and invitations.
e-SMaRTE Journal [Two issues per year - Coming Soon]
An internationally reviewed e-journal that highlights transdisciplinary SMT research in Years R-12. Pre-service teachers can highlight their research work in this journal.
e-SMaRTE Video Archive
Prof John P Keeves. Unity of Educational Research [June 2005]
A clever country? Australian education and training in perspective: abstracts of conference papers
Contained within this publication are abstracts of papers on various sectors in education; pre-school education, schools and schooling, technical and further education, higher education and continuing and industrial education.
Backing Australia's ability: an innovation action plan for the future
An action plan which outlines strategic measures introduced by the Government to promote research, development and innovation.
Assessing numeracy in primary schools
This report investigates improvements in student numeracy outcomes in the ACTÂ through the development of a whole-school approach. Issues include teaching and assessment practices and staff perceptions.
Assessment and reporting of student achievement for students with specific educational needs against literacy and numeracy benchmarks
The paper indicates the critical issues for stakeholders in relation to the assessment and reporting of performance outcomes of students with specific educational needs against literacy and numeracy benchmarks.
Assistive technology: meeting the technology needs of students with disabilities in post-secondary education
The report identifies issues surrounding the use of AT which exist for students, university and TAFE staff including Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) and Information Technology Services Staff. It investigates the AT-related needs of students with disabilities and the barriers to provision of AT to tertiary students with disabilities. The report also identifies useful AT for students with specific disabilities, and current examples of effective and cost-efficient strategies related to the use of AT in support of tertiary students. This research was funded under the Evaluations and Investigations Programme (EIP).
The ASTA science awareness raising model: an evaluation report
The ASTA Science Awareness Raising Project developed, trialed and evaluated a science awareness raising model that could be used by a diverse range of schools and their communities to identify, document and promote scientific literacy. The project aimed to promote greater understanding in the educational and broader community of why science is important. This model was field tested in seven school communities across Australia; selected by ASTA to show diversity in the nature of the community and their links with science.
Australian Government audit of science, engineering and technology skills: discussion paper
This discussion paper focuses on the current supply and demand for science, engineering and technology skills and also canvasses the potential supply and demand for these vital skills in the future. This paper will provide the basis for a series of national public forums, and targeted one-to-one meetings with key stakeholders. This audit will examine the supply and trends of science, engineering and technology skills, and determine whether industry needs are being adequately met.
Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme updated client guidelines
The Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme (AGQTP) provides funding to strengthen the skills and understanding of the teaching profession in the schools sector. Client Guidelines were initially prepared for the AGQTP from 2000-3 and have now been further updated to include refinements of the programme through to 2005.
Australian science: building our future
Australian science delivers abundant economic and social benefits to the community and contributes to the wealth of global scientific and technical knowledge.  “Australian science: building our future†tells the story of Australian science from its earliest days to the present.  It shows how Australia’s universities and publicly funded research agencies interact with business, industry, government and the global science community to produce world-class science and world-class innovations.
The publication provides a comprehensive explanation of Australia’s science system and the Government policies and programmes that support it. It draws on the extensive knowledge and experience of the research agencies, Departments and science community that are the key drivers of science in Australia. The publication outlines Australia’s science policy and discusses world trends in science, and where appropriate making comparisons with Australian science. It looks at international science linkages and major patterns of collaboration and concludes by highlighting future challenges facing Australia within the area of science.
Australia's future using education technology
This project reports on options for the Government to work collaboratively with other Commonwealth, state and territory authorities, public and private institutions and with industry on how to position Australian education, training and related businesses to gain the best possible advantage in using emerging technologies.
Australia's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) research base: driving the "new economy"
This report was presented at the sixth meeting (30 November 2000) of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC). It highlights the facts that while Australia has been a good user of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) it has not captured the major benefits of being a producer of ICT goods and services.
The application of information and communication technologies in the assessment of literacy and numeracy in the early years of schooling
This paper considers issues relating to using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in assessing students’ literacy and numeracy development in the early years of schooling, presents a number of case studies and highlights future directions in the use of ICTs to support assessment.
Australia's information future: innovation and knowledge management for the 21st century
This report summarises the presentations and opinions arising from the project workshop entitled 'Australia's Information Future: Innovation and Knowledge Management for the 21st Century'
Best practice in reporting on student and school achievement: information for teachers
This brochure presents a summary of research on how teachers can effectively report to parents. Issues covered include reporting practices, building partnerships and parent expectations.
Boys' Education Lighthouse Schools (BELS) Stage Two
BELS aims to enhance teaching and learning in the education of boys in Australian schools by establishing effective teaching and learning practices in groups or “clusters†of schools. The Lighthouse School within each cluster acts as the lead school to support the professional learning of teachers throughout the cluster, and showcases effective teaching and learning practices in boys’ education. Stage Two of BELS commenced in April 2004. A total of 51 Lighthouse school clusters involving around 350 schools were selected.
Career action plan: teachers' notes
A teacher's lesson plan to assist Year 9 and 10 students to produce a career action plan using goal setting processes.
The changing nature and forms of knowledge: a review
The report discusses current issues such as the relationship between knowledge and wealth creation, the emergence of the knowledge economy and the importance of knowledge management and skills. It also looks at classifications of knowledge and trends in method and location of knowledge production, distribution and application.
The study draws conclusions about the role of universities as traditional suppliers of knowledge and the emergence of the 'research centre'. It also comments on the role and direction of government policy in knowledge production and transmission.
Changing schools: its impact on student learning
This study assesses the impact that frequent family relocation has on learning outcomes of school-aged children from the preparatory years through to Year 12. This study focussed on school-aged children of families that have experienced relocation, including those of Australian Defence Force personnel.
Curriculum initiatives: commissioned report no. 12
Dr Graeme Speedy identified and described curriculum initiatives especially those with a national focus and analyses the range of forces which are driving the issues towards national curriculum initiatives.
Supporting Australian Science Teachers
The Government has a range of initiatives to support the dedicated efforts of Australia's science teachers. These initiatives are outlined in Supporting Science Teachers - The Australian Government's commitment to improving science education in Australian schools.
Supporting science teachers: the Commonwealth's commitment to improving science education in Australian schools
This report outlines a range of initiatives to support the dedicated efforts of Australia's science teachers.
Science & Mathematics Strategy
Science & Mathematics Strategy is a major state government initiative running for 3 years (until the end of 2006). There are 14 projects designed to increase student participation in science and mathematics, increase numbers of students studying science & mathematics related careers, retain more beginning teachers in the profession, support teacher professional development in pedagogy & technology to name a few. Many of the projects supply funding to sites for action learning projects.
Professional Learning in ICT
Professional Learning in ICT is a four year strategy to support staff development in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the school and preschool curriculum. It includes a range of programs from basic skills development to issues of broad curriculum planning and management.
eduCONNECT Project
South Australian government schools and preschools will be provided with new Internet services to replace the services currently provided under the sa.edu contract.
The new services will include improved Internet speed, new tools for managing and building websites, audio and multimedia conferencing, and streaming television capability. The implementation of these services will be referred to as the eduCONNECT Project.
National Primary Science Assessment Project Year 6
ACER is managing the National Year 6 Science Assessment (PSAP) on behalf of the Performance Measurement and Reporting Taskforce (PMRT) subgroup of the Ministerial Committee on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA).
In late October 2003 students from schools sampled throughout Australia will be sitting for a written task and a practical task so that baseline data can be obtained regarding the performance of students in Science.
Literacy and Numeracy Research Literature Reviews
ACER is reviewing the current state of knowledge about literacy and numeracy learning. National and international literature, as well as Commonwealth, State and Territory initiatives are considered. The reviews summarise different theories and practices from which meaningful conclusions can be drawn and realistic recommendations can be made regarding research that is needed.
Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY)
- Influences on Achievement in Literacy and Numeracy (LSAY Research Report No 36)
- Achievement in Literacy and Numeracy by Australian 14 year-olds, 1975-1998
- Subject Choice by Students in Year 12 in Australian Secondary Schools
- Reading Comprehension and Numeracy among Junior Secondary School Students in Australia
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Reports
- Facing the Future: A Focus on Mathematical Literacy among Australian 15-year-old Students in PISA 2003.
- PISA in Brief from Australia's Perspective: Highlights from the full Australian Report
- The 1999 Australian report
- Mathematics and Science Achievement of Junior Secondary School Students in Australia
- The International Report for the mathematics part of the study
Brain and Learning
Over the past few years, science has made substantial advances in understanding the brain. Consequently, the challenge facing us today, is to explore the relevant research in order to develop a pathway towards a neuroscientific approach to the question ‘how do we learn?’ Our objective is to formulate a sounder basis for the understanding (and, over time, an improvement) of learning and teaching processes and practices, notably in the areas of reading , mathematics and lifelong learning .
A Primer on Learning: A Brief Introduction from the Neurosciences
A primer on learning which defines learning firstly from a biochemical perspective, then describes how learning takes place at molecular level, looking at learning and the brain systems and at different moments in life.
Understanding the Brain: Towards a New Learning Science
This book examines how new scientific developments in understanding how the brain works can help educators and educational policy makers develop new and more efficient methods for teaching and developing educational policies. This new "science of learning" is providing insights into how to improve reading and mathematical skills and highlights the significance of the distinction between nature and nurture in learning and brain development. The book focuses on the importance of developing a trans-disciplinary approach where teachers, the medical profession, and scientists work together.
Basic Indicators on the Incorporation of ICT into European Education Systems
The need to incorporate information and communication technology (ICT) into education is now inescapable, largely as a result of the growth of the Internet. The many action plans adopted at national and European levels (eLearning), as well as investment in computerisation, teacher training and the updating of curricula bear witness to this.
ICT, Development and Education (Education International)
This website shows EI's policies on ICT, development and education
Building Capacity of Teachers/Facilitators in Technology-Pedagogy Integration for Improved Teaching and Learning
