Webinar | The benefits of spaced retrieval and practice
Webinar | The benefits of spaced retrieval and practice

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.

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Empowering Educators: A Conversation with Dr. Nathaniel Swain
Empowering Educators: A Conversation with Dr. Nathaniel Swain

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.

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Nathaniel Swain: The Science of Learning Every Teacher Needs to Know
Nathaniel Swain: The Science of Learning Every Teacher Needs to Know

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.

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The Science of Learning: Do's and Don't of Math Education
The Science of Learning: Do's and Don't of Math Education

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)

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Beware of those using the science of learning as a buzzword: expert
Beware of those using the science of learning as a buzzword: expert

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.

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Reducing student cognitive load to allow for greater focus on new learning
Reducing student cognitive load to allow for greater focus on new 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.

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The Truth Behind Learning
The Truth Behind Learning

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.

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Phenomenal Conversations W/Mr. Short: Dr. Nathaniel Swain
Phenomenal Conversations W/Mr. Short: Dr. Nathaniel Swain

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

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4 ways to become a more effective teacher using the science of learning
4 ways to become a more effective teacher using the science of learning

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.

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S3|E1: Harnessing the Science of Learning with Dr Nathaniel Swain
S3|E1: Harnessing the Science of Learning with Dr Nathaniel Swain

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.

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Why phonics hasn’t won the reading wars - yet
Why phonics hasn’t won the reading wars - yet

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.

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The Key Components of Systematic Synthetic Phonics
The Key Components of Systematic Synthetic Phonics

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.'

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Applying the Science of Reading in your classroom
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.

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Harnessing the Science of Learning
Harnessing the Science of Learning

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.

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Explicit teaching’s ‘robotic’ tag cast aside as new podcast showcases great practice
Explicit teaching’s ‘robotic’ tag cast aside as new podcast showcases great practice

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.

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Study tips to combat the 'forgetting curve'
Study tips to combat the 'forgetting curve'

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!

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Dr Swain and the Brain
Dr Swain and the Brain

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!

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