Talking Teaching

In this episode of Talking Teaching writer and university lecturer Tegan Bennett Daylight discusses what she sees as declining standards and poor quality reading skills in some students attending universities. She identifies the dilemma of how to instil a love of reading in children from teachers who are struggling themselves. A provocative must- listen interview hosted by Maxine McKew.

Talking Teaching's first episode for 2019 features interviews with Larissa McLean Davies and with Penny Jones. From different perspectives they both talk about how educators can boost student interest in reading.

Larissa McLean Davies is Associate Dean Teaching and Learning at The Melbourne Graduate School of Education. She is on a mission to boost the teaching of a diverse range of quality Australian texts in our schools. She talks to Maxine McKew about a range of programmes she is developing which will help English teachers develop appropriate resourcing for the teaching of Australian literature.

As well Talking Teaching looks at the above average reading success of a small Victorian regional school, Cobram Secondary. Lead teacher Penny Jones describes the life changing strategies that have seen secondary students rediscover the joy of reading. Cobram Secondary is a member of MGSE's Network of Schools

In this episode of Talking Teaching Maxine McKew talks with Professor Glyn Davis who has just completed fourteen years as Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

It was one of Glyn's high school teachers who first sat him down and showed him how to go about pursuing a university education. Glyn's own reflections on the joy of teaching, the challenges of leadership, and students' use of technology make for absorbing listening. So sit back and enjoy this interview with one of Australia's most significant educational leaders.

In this episode of Talking Teaching Stephen Dinham and John Goh talk to Kerry Elliott about the qualities and skills needed to be an effective instructional leader. Both agree that central to the job is an ability to facilitate teaching and learning.

In this month's Talking Teaching, Sophie Murphy interviews Stanford University's Jo Boaler who argues that the latest neuroscience explains what she has always argued - that anyone can do maths. Kerry Elliott talks to Michaela Epstein and Michelle Fry about how on-line maths learning is engaging students and producing impressive results. And finally, Maxine discusses the radical educational reforms being undertaken through the extraordinary partnership between the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and Saudi Arabia.

Talking Teaching this week dives into a lively discussion about the value and messages contained in Gonski 2.0 From Growth to Achievement.

This month we chat to leaders from across the school sector who meet and exchange ideas at the University of Melbourne Network of Schools (UMNOS). Program founder, Katherine Henderson, explains the link between this kind of collaboration and a lift in overall student achievement.

Next up, Dr Geoff Masters, CEO of the Australian Council for Education Research, argues its time to move away from a structure whereby students are organised according to age or year level, to one based on the achievement of proficiencies.

Finally, David Baker explains to Sophie Murphy how Gippsland Grammar is already moving towards this approach and exploring ways to move students from surface to deep learning.

In this episode of Talking Teaching, we chat with the maths teacher behind Woo Tube, the dynamic communicator Eddie Woo. With an audience in the hundreds of thousands that stretches way beyond his home school of Cherrybrook High in Sydney, Eddie has a down-to earth approach to technology, seeing it merely as an amplifier. Central to his high impact teaching is a well developed methodology and a talent for hooking his students with a great story. Talking Teaching is recorded and mixed by Gavin Nebauer at The Horwood Recording Studio, University of Melbourne. Theme music by Gavin Nebauer

In this episode of Talking Teaching we focus on the national teaching standards that are validated by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). In particular, AITSL's chair Prof John Hattie looks at the way Highly Accomplished teachers are using their networks to spread the word about high-impact teaching practice. We also hear from his counterpart in the U.S. Peggy Brookins who describes the way national standards apply across the American states.

In a separate story, we take a look at South Melbourne Primary School, Victoria's first public vertical school. The University of Melbourne's Professor Wes Imms says that re-thinking the design of learning spaces is a proven way to boost student interest.

Read the full transcript.

Laureate Professor John Hattie, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne

Peggy Brookins, President/CEO National Board fro Professional teaching Standards, U.S.

HALTS teachers - Tania Crawford, Deana Cuconits, Adele Maughn, Natalie Polak, Andrew Cornwall, Meghan Smith

Principal Noel Creece, South Melbourne Primary

Associate Professor Wesley Imms, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne

Theme music by Gavin Nebauer

Talking Teaching recorded and mixed by Gavin Nebauer at The Horwood Recording Studio, University of Melbourne