Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
This research project is focusing on improving educational outcomes for students in the early years of formal schooling who are living in geographically isolated areas and undertaking education at home and being supported by a home supervisor or tutor.
The research will examine effective teaching practises, strategies and processes that could be implemented by parents, home supervisors and tutors of distance education schools. It will also explore how information and communication technologies are being used and how they can reduce the effects of the physical distance for students and their educators.
A research team from RMIT in conjunction with interstate partners will be conducting the research project.
The project is due for completion in mid-2005.
Edith Cowan University.
The Project aims to provide nationally representative information on effective practice in the pre-service preparation of teachers to teach (a) English literacy and (b) numeracy to all students in the early and middle years of schooling (up to Years 9 and 10), particularly to the educationally disadvantaged students.
The preparation of teachers project aims to examine current research focussing on effective practice in the pre-service preparation of teachers in Australia and overseas. It will also survey education systems, new teachers, principals and experienced teachers to develop a national picture of how pre-service teacher education courses prepare teachers to teach literacy and numeracy in the classroom.
The report is due for completion in late 2005.
Edith Cowan University.
This project aims to provide in-depth information on the ways in which foundational literacy skills are taught in Australian schools in the first two years of schooling and how these approaches and strategies impact on student outcomes.
The project will examine how time is spent in school on literacy, the influences of different teachers and different teaching approaches and strategies.
The study also aims to focus on effective literacy teaching and learning strategies and how these shape the literacy outcomes of students in the first two years of schooling. It is expected that the project will provide a picture of what constitutes key effective teaching and learning practices at each year level in the first years of schooling and how they lead to improved student literacy outcomes.
A further outcome of the project will be video-based materials showing exemplary teaching practice in early years literacy instruction.
The report is due for completion in late 2005.
Other Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Programme: National Project Element, Research Projects