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Media Release
Valuable Research into Early Literacy Teaching
1 September 2006
A landmark national research report will have a significant impact on early literacy teaching in Australia.
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today formally launched the research report In Teachers’ Hands: Effective Literacy Teaching Practices in the Early Years of Schooling in Western Australia.
“The Australian Government invested $598,548 for this important research, which investigated the link between children’s learning in English literacy in the early years of schooling and their teachers’ classroom practices,” Minister Bishop said.
“The report presents evidence-based literacy teaching strategies that will assist teachers in meeting the developmental and literacy needs of all Australian children.”
“The comprehensive research included two assessment rounds in literacy of 2,000 children from every state and territory, by 200 classroom teachers. Audio and video records were also made of classroom visits, and teachers were observed during literacy teaching sessions and interviewed about literacy teaching.”
The findings conclude that effective early literacy teaching requires:
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teachers who can ensure high levels of student participation;
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a deep knowledge about literacy learning;
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simultaneous orchestration of a variety of classroom activities;
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support of scaffold learning;
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the targeting and differentiation of their instruction; and
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creation of classrooms characterised by mutual respect.
An outcome of the research is also a high quality, professional development online resource http://inteachershands.education.ecu.edu.au/ . The report is available on this site, together with over 80 video clips with classroom transcripts that demonstrate best practice literacy teaching methods.
All primary and combined primary schools across Australia will receive information about the research report and website over the coming weeks.
“I commend the fine work of the In Teachers’ Hands research team from Edith Cowan University, led by Professor Bill Louden, in developing this valuable resource. I would encourage all primary teachers to use the website to develop their skills and knowledge in improving literacy outcomes for their students,” Minister Bishop said.
Media Contacts:
Minister Bishop’s Office: Murray Hansen 0417 886 155
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Media Unit 02 6240 7300
Non-media inquiries 1300 363 079
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