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.
Read MoreA 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 LaTrobe University senior lecturer 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.
Read MoreListen 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.
Read MoreThe 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!
Read MoreIn 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!
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreTikTok 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreKnowledge 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.
Read More“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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreDrawing on insights from his upcoming book, Dr Nathaniel Swain shared key takeaways from the successful implementation of the Science of Learning aligned practice, and how you can empower your team to transform their work and their students’ outcomes.
Read MoreWelcome back to another episode of Educate's "On the Road to Literacy Success"!
We're thrilled to have you with us as we dive back into the heart of literacy instruction. In Part 2, we're continuing our engaging conversation with the insightful Dr. Nathaniel Swain.
In this episode, we’ll explore the dynamics of whole group teaching, break down the literacy block, and discuss why it's essential to stay flexible and adaptable in your teaching approach. If you're interested in diving deeper into whole class teaching, be sure to check out Dr. Swain's website at nathanialswain.com, grab a copy of his new book, "Harnessing the Science of Learning", and don't forget to visit me, Staci, at GoodHumansEducate.com for your Tier 1 strategy, professional learning, resources, and more.
So, get ready for some valuable insights—let's take a listen, good human!
Read MoreDr Nathaniel Swain is a Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Writer. He works as a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences at La Trobe University School of Education and SOLAR LAB, and he produces a blog for teachers called Dr Swain’s Cognitorium. Nathaniel has taught a range of learners in schools and universities and founded a community of teachers committed to the Science of Learning: THINK FORWARD EDUCATORS, now 23,000 members and growing. Dr Swain is a sought-after speaker on educational circuits and has a new book in 2024 entitled “Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success stories to help kickstart your school improvement”.
Read MoreHi, welcome to the Bell Ringer's very first video interview with an expert. I'm journalist Holly Korbey and I'm really excited to have Dr. Nathaniel Swain here today. He's an instructional coach and researcher and author of the book Harnessing the Science of Learning. He's a senior lecturer of learning sciences and learning engagement at La Trobe University School of Education located in Melbourne, Australia, which is where he's at today.
Read MoreJoin me for an illuminating discussion with teacher, researcher, and writer Dr. Nathaniel Swain as we explore the recent science of learning boom in education and unpack effective strategies to boost learning in the classroom.
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