news, events, media
Pedagogy Non Grata Podcast, 31 July 2025, with Dr Nathaniel Hansford
In this episode of Nate squared, we discuss the benefits of RTI (Response to Intervention).
On the Road to Literacy Success, Season 2, Episode 1, 24 July 2025, with Dr Staci Bain
Season Two kicks off with a powerful and thought-provoking conversation between Dr. Staci Bain and returning guest Dr. Nathaniel Swain. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of literacy education, from supporting new teachers and principals to building strong Tier 1 systems that help every student thrive.
Dr. Swain shares practical strategies for whole-class teaching, insights on reducing cognitive load, and reflections on balancing professional life with parenthood. He also introduces his new book, Harnessing the Science of Learning—a must-read for educators looking to simplify and strengthen their teaching practice.
Behind the Educator’s Lens, 21 July 2025, with Robyn Young
What if the secret to more effective teaching isn’t more effort, but a better understanding of how learning actually works? In this episode of Behind the Educator’s Lens, I sit down with Dr. Nathaniel Swain to explore the powerful principles behind the Science of Learning—and how they can transform your classroom.
Made for Math: Unlocking Dyscalculia Podcast, Episode 29, June 24, 2025, with Adrianne Meldrum
In the Made for Math podcast episode “The Science of Learning: Do’s and Don’ts of Math Education,” CEO Adrianne Meldrum interviews Dr. Nathaniel Swain, an educator and author of Harnessing the Science of Learning. Dr. Swain discusses how his background in Japanese linguistics shaped his understanding of the role of language in mathematics instruction. He emphasizes that math is a language requiring explicit teaching of its vocabulary and structures. To support students, especially those with language-based learning difficulties, Dr. Swain advocates for strategies like retrieval practice, interleaving, and reducing cognitive load. He also highlights the importance of using multisensory tools to connect abstract concepts to tangible experiences, thereby enhancing comprehension and retention. The conversation underscores the need for structured, language-aware, and cognitively informed approaches to math education. (madeformath.com)
Education HQ, July 21, 2025, By Sarah Duggan
‘Harnessing the Science of Learning’ offers a ‘distillation of key understandings’ within teaching, literacy, maths and curriculum implementation, giving cognitive science a practical application – and with plenty of Australian school case studies to light the way.
Swain says that there are simply some practices that are more reliable and more likely to have a positive impact on learning.
ELSA, Applying the Science of Reading in your classroom Webinar Series, 23 June 2025, with Dr Nathaniel Swain
In this webinar, Dr. Nathaniel Swain outlines how cognitive load theory can directly inform reading instruction. He explains the importance of automating decoding skills to free up working memory for comprehension and new content. Key strategies include explicit instruction in phonics, repeated practice with decodable texts, and minimizing unnecessary classroom distractions.
Dr. Swain also demonstrates how reducing split attention and simplifying your instructional routines supports novice readers in mastering foundational skills more efficiently.
Amplify, Season 9, Special Episode, with Nathaniel Swain
In this episode of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert is joined by Nathaniel Swain, Ph.D. He’s a teacher, instructional coach, and author of the recent book Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement. Emphasizing the science of learning as an ever-growing resource for updating instruction practices, he provides a comprehensive look at how knowledge powers learning, how to identify knowledge-rich curricula, how cognitive load affects learning, and how to understand several common learning misconceptions.
The Phenomenal Student Podcast, Season 4, Episode 12, with Mr Short
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Dr. Nathaniel Swain about his inspiring and unconventional journey in education. In this episode, we dive into:
✅ His unexpected start in the classroom
✅ The winding road to becoming a researcher
✅ The powerful insights behind his new book: Harnessing the Science of Learning
Dr. Swain brings a wealth of knowledge and clarity to the conversation around how we teach and how students truly learn.
📘 Check out his book here: Harnessing the Science of Learning
🎧 Tune in to the episode and let me know what you think. Your feedback means everything!
Be Phenomenal,
Mr. Short
#PhenomenalStudentPodcast #ScienceOfLearning #DrNathanielSwain #EducationMatters #BePhenomenal
The Bell Ringer, June 11, 2025, By Holly Korbey and Nathaniel Swain
“How can you be creative, critical, or collaborative about something you know very little about?”
— Dr. Nathaniel Swain
This powerful question challenges some of the most popular ideas in education—and opens the door to a deeper conversation about why knowledge must come before skills in effective teaching.
Teacher Insights from Catalyst, Season 3, Episode 1, with Nathaniel Swain
In this episode, Dr Nathaniel Swain talks about:
Today’s educational landscape
His classroom experiences and how teachers can leverage the Science of Learning fundamentals for success
How educators can strike the right balance between direct instruction and inquiry-based learning in a way that aligns with cognitive science
What makes feedback effective for learning, and some of the common mistakes teachers make when giving feedback
His new book Harnessing the Science of Learning
His charity Think forward Educators
This is a fascinating listen for both those well-versed in the Science of Learning and those eager to learn more.
TES Magazine, June 3, 2025, By Holly Korbey
The reading wars have been “vociferous” in Australia, says author and LaTrobe senior lecturer Nathaniel Swain. University professors who train teachers have been especially resistant to reforms. “They saw phonics as being really backward, and just one part of a range of ways of teaching students to decode or to teach them to make meaning,” Swain says.
ELSA, Applying the Science of Reading in your classroom Webinar Series, with Dr Nathaniel Swain
This webinar will explores the essential components of systematic synthetic phonics. Key areas of focus include the importance of phonemic awareness, developing code knowledge, and mastering the blending and segmenting of increasingly complex words—from short vowels to more advanced patterns involving consonant clusters and longer vowel combinations.
Additionally, the session explores strategies for teaching irregular high-frequency words effectively. Dr Swain highlights the value of clear teaching routines, a well-structured scope and sequence, opportunities to respond, and regular checks for understanding to ensure all learners are supported.
This webinar is the first in a series of four, 'Applying the Science of Reading in your classroom.'
4 Part Webinar Series, May to August, 2025, by ELSA
Join teacher, author, instructional coach and researcher, Dr Nathaniel Swain at a series of free webinars discussing the application of the science of reading in Australian primary classrooms.
The key components of systematic synthetic phonics
May 26th | 6pmReducing student cognitive load to allow for greater focus on new learning
June 16th | 6pmThe benefits of spaced retrieval and practice
August 4th | 6pmImplementing impactful paired reading sessions in your classroom
August 27th | 6pm
Book Review, by Matt Pittman
Harnessing the Science of Learning by Nathaniel Swain, PhD is an engaging guide for educators and leaders aiming to enhance teaching practices through evidence-based strategies. Dr Swain, a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences at La Trobe University, brings his extensive experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and researcher to this work, offering practical approaches for key areas of school improvement.
Australian Teacher Magazine, April 22, 2025, By Sarah Duggan
A new podcast that is aiming to blow apart the misconception that explicit teaching is robotic and inflexible is set to hand teachers a ‘front row seat’ to some of the best classrooms in the world.
Launched by prominent NSW school leader Rebecca Birch and Instructional Coach and Writer Dr Nathaniel Swain, ‘Chalk Dust‘ will zero in on footage taken from real classrooms to unpack the seemingly subtle but highly impactful ways in which teachers are applying the science of learning.
Forgetting to Remember, April 18, 2022, By Laura Bain
At the recent Matthew Flinders Science of Learning Conference, Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee spoke about the challenge of retention and the power of retrieval. They reminded us that learning isn’t about what students are taught - it’s about what they can remember, retrieve and use.
From Nine to Noon, April 9, 2025
Listen to Nathaniel Swain, a former primary teacher turned education academic, who says streaming classes by ability level is not the way to go to lift achievement.
School Shorts, Season 1, Episode 7, April 7, 2025, with Melissa Chan Green
The Forgetting Curve is a useful tool in understanding how best to try and remember all the learning that goes on at school - or anywhere for that matter!
Nathaniel Swain is a teacher, researcher and coach of great techniques to help children learn. In this episode he shares the importance of regular review instead of cramming for exams.
The discussion also touches on strategies for supporting young learners, the role of cultural context in education, and the need for personalised learning approaches. This episode will be useful for people of all ages who want to remember things!
The Community Connection Podcast, February 6, 2025, with Nathaniel Provencio and co-host Dr. Eric Worcester
In this episode of The Community Connection, we sit down with Dr. Nathaniel Swain, author of Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement. Dr. Swain, a leading expert in learning sciences, shares insights on bridging research and practice to enhance teaching and student outcomes. We explore key strategies from his book, real-world success stories, and how educators can apply cognitive science to transform their classrooms. Don’t miss this engaging conversation on the power of evidence-based teaching!
Have a Life Teaching Podcast, February 4, 2025, with John Schembari
In some schools, curriculum is prescribed. In other places, teachers put together their own learning materials.
In either case, how do we know that what we are providing students, in terms of materials and content, will promote learning acquisition, extend thinking, and foster creativity? How do we know that it aligns with the science of learning?
In this episode, my guest Nathanial Swain, professor of teaching at La Trobe University and author of the book "Harnassing the Science of Learning", discuss the elements that should be in any knowledge rich curriculum.
Australian Teacher Magazine, February 3, 2025, By Sarah Duggan
TikTok is fuelling a certain type of classroom aesthetic which may not be conducive to learning, one researcher has warned…
La Trobe University's Dr Nathaniel Swain has previously argued that the focus should be on scaling back what’s in classrooms. The less visual ‘noise’ and distraction, the better, he's said.
Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Season 2, Episode 21, November 17, 2024, with Brendan Lee
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He returns for the third time and this time it’s to unpack his new book Harnessing the Science of Learning. However, as you will hear, they actually go beyond the book and dig into some of the critical considerations that schools and teachers need to be making. They explore how to make teaching and learning the top priority in your school, reclaiming valuable instructional time often lost to distractions. They also unpack the essential elements of effective literacy and numeracy instruction, going beyond the surface level to understand the importance of a knowledge-rich curriculum, explicit teaching techniques, and structured implementation processes.
They look at why teaching should be “Fun in the service of learning, not in spite of Learning” and some of the common barriers that school leaders face when initiating change.
Progressively Incorrect, Season 4, Episode 10, November 17, 2024, with Zach Groshell, PhD
This episode is a conversation between me and three amazing educators who are making inroads to bring the science of learning to schools across Australia. Most excitingly, we are all contributing authors to the book, Harnessing the Science of Learning by Nathaniel Swain, who, of course, is on the show today and has been on the show before.
Teacher Takeaway Podcast, Season 4, Episode 35, November 9, 2024, with James Gray and Rebecca West
In Season 4 | Episode 35 | We will be unpacking and discussing: How to initiate and maintain a school improvement journey based on the science of how we learn?
In this episode, we are joined by Dr Nathaniel Swain.
Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast, Bonus Episode, November 5, 2024, with Melissa and Lori
The science of learning is what research says about how our brains learn.
In this episode, Nathaniel Swain discusses the science of learning, emphasizing its connection with the science of reading.
He shares:
key mindset shifts for teachers
the significance of coherent curriculum planning
practical strategies like using mini whiteboards and advanced organizers to enhance student engagement and understanding
He also highlights the need for responsive whole-class instruction and the importance of closing learning gaps early in students' educational journeys.
Knowledge Society, October 2024, with Dr Nathaniel Swain
Knowledge Society's Australian School Improvement Summit in Melbourne, October 2024, saw a great gathering of policy-makers, system and school leaders together to discuss how to improve the learning in every classroom in every postcode.
The Educator Australia, October 22, 2024, by Brett Henebery
“Interestingly, and as noted in the report, the Victorian Government is on the front foot of this recommendation and has already released a significant update to the VTLM, referred to as VTLM 2.0,” Dr Nathaniel Swain, Senior Lecturer of Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement at La Trobe University's School of Education, told The Educator.
TRT Podcast, #190, October 20, 2024, with Anna Geiger
The science of reading tells us what to teach; the science of learning tells us how. Dr. Nathaniel Swain, author of the new book, Harnessing the Science of Learning, debunks common myths about how students learn and helps teachers understand how to improve their craft so all students learn.
Seven News Melbourne, October 20, 2024
A trend-setting school in Melbourne’s north-east is spreading the word about a new literacy policy. The approach takes the guesswork out of learning and overturns teaching techniques that were first introduced in the 1870s.
ELSA, Applying the Science of Reading in your classroom Webinar Series, 6 August 2025, with Dr Nathaniel Swain
Dr. Swain explores how spaced retrieval can enhance decoding and reading fluency over time. He presents evidence showing that regularly revisiting previously taught letter-sound relationships, high-frequency words, and decoding strategies boosts long-term retention and reduces forgetting. Attendees are guided through how to embed brief checking for understanding routines like choral response, mini-whiteboards, and cold calls, and how these can be incorporated into your daily reading instruction, ensuring students consolidate early reading skills effectively.