media & events

Frojd’s Toolbox, Avsnitt 65, 9 October 2025, with Carl Hendrick, Nidhi Sachdeva, Nathaniel Swain, and Pritesh Raichura

Join this dynamic, thought-provoking roundtable where four international experts unpack how explicit instruction can level the playing field and ensure that every student—regardless of background—has access to the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Together, they explore:

• What defines effective explicit instruction—and what common practices miss the mark

• Barriers teachers face in implementing it well

• The most persistent misconceptions and how to move beyond them

Each speaker brings a unique lens—from research to classroom practice—creating a rich, energizing discussion full of insight and challenge. The chemistry and clarity of thought among the panelists make this an episode that flies by and stays with you long after it ends.

If you’re passionate about reaching every student in your classroom, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss—a powerful blend of learning, reflection, and inspiration.

The Art of Teaching, Episode 228, 4 October 2025, with Matthew Green

Today I’m joined by Dr Nathaniel Swain - a teacher, instructional coach, researcher and writer with a deep passion for language, literacy and learning. Nathaniel is dedicated to helping teachers create effective and engaging learning for every student. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement at La Trobe University’s School of Education.

He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators, a community of teachers and education professionals committed to the Science of Learning. Most recently, Nathaniel has authored Harnessing the Science of Learning — a practical guide for teachers and school leaders that distils key insights from research into clear, actionable strategies to drive school improvement.

In this conversation, we’ll explore his journey, the ideas behind his book, and how schools can harness the science of learning to transform teaching and student outcomes.

Here are a few useful links: 

https://luminary.nathanielswain.com/

https://www.nathanielswain.com/cognitoriumblog/2024/7/canvas-for-thought

Oxford University Press, Essential Letters and Sound Australia (ELSA) 28 August 2025, with Dr Nathaniel Swain

This session focuses on designing paired reading routines that reinforce decoding and fluency. Dr. Swain highlights how structured paired fluency—supported by clear routines—can promote reading accuracy, prosody, and reading volume in your literacy block. The webinar covers how to pair students effectively, scaffold practice with decodable or appropriately challenging texts, and ensure meaningful corrective feedback. Practical classroom examples and implementation tips are provided to make paired reading a high-impact, low-preparation routine. Dr Swain showcases the ELSA Phonic Readers, a brand-new, fully decodable series complete with engaging fiction and non-fiction stories, aligned to the Letters and Sounds sequence.

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).

Read Ballarat, 31 July 2025, with Dr Nathaniel Swain

How do I know if I’m teaching too much phonics? Scopes and sequences, decodables and the self-teaching hypothesis. Nathaniel will explore the tension between systematic phonics teaching and Seidenberg’s advocacy of just enough instruction but no more. We will discuss how more instructional time may be better directed to orthographic, morphological and text-level teaching, as well as the challenge of knowing when to expose students to uncontrolled text in addition to decodables, within the realities of the classroom

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)

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

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.