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How Knowledge Powers Comprehension and Reading Success
How Knowledge Powers Comprehension and Reading Success

Nelson Primary Video, November 12, 2025, with Nathaniel Swain

Join Dr Nathaniel Swain for a focused session that spotlights the importance of building and reinforcing rich content knowledge for reading comprehension success. This practical and engaging session will guide teachers and leaders through a discussion of the situation model of comprehension, and demonstrate how knowledge and vocabulary underpins much of the comprehension processes we use want students to master.

Participants will explore how to build and utilise logical and coherent sequences of content-rich texts drawing on evidence and research. By the end of this session, participants will:

1. Understand the critical role of background knowledge and vocabulary in successful comprehension.

2. Recognise how content-rich text sequences can support the situation model of comprehension.

3. Identify practical ways to design and teach with content-rich sequences of text that strengthen students’ reading outcomes.

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Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, podcast, 2023, structured literacyComment
The science of learning: debunking the myths and misconceptions
The science of learning: debunking the myths and misconceptions

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning, November 11, 2025, with KEndra Parker

In this first episode of a 2-part podcast, Academy Leadership Excellence Division Director, Kendra Parker is joined by Dr. Nathaniel Swain, a teacher, instructional coach and author of Harnessing the Science of Learning. Together, they delve into the evidence around the science of learning, by exploring some of the myths and misconceptions currently circulating about this approach.

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Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, podcast, 2023, structured literacyComment
Improvement with Dr Nathaniel Swain
Improvement with Dr Nathaniel Swain

Teacher Takeaway Podcast, Season 5, Episode 31, November 8, 2025, with James Gray, Aaron Johnston and Rebecca West

This episode explores how schools can drive effective, sustainable improvement by applying key principles from the science of learning.

Key points covered

  • Why a clear, school-wide vision for improvement matters and how to build it.

  • The importance of aligning curriculum, pedagogy, and routines across classrooms.

  • How cognitive science (e.g., cognitive load, retrieval, spacing) can strengthen teaching and learning.

  • Practical strategies schools can adopt to embed evidence-informed practice.

  • Common implementation challenges and how leaders can support teachers through change.

  • Examples of how schools have successfully used science-of-learning approaches to lift student outcomes.

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Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, podcast, 2023, structured literacyComment
Why Prose Reading Matters More than Ever
Why Prose Reading Matters More than Ever

Nelson Primary Video, November 6, 2025, with Nathaniel Swain

Join Dr Nathaniel Swain for a focused session that explores the critical role of reading prose texts—such as fiction and non-fiction chapter books—in developing deep comprehension, inferential thinking, and knowledge acquisition. By the end of this session, participants will:

1. Understand why prose texts are crucial for fluency and exposure to complex language.

2. Identify how reading prose contributes to comprehension, vocabulary, and deep reading.

3. Take away practical strategies for embedding prose reading into everyday classroom practice.

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Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, podcast, 2023, structured literacyComment
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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Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, science of learning, 2025, webinarComment
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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MagazineNathaniel Swain2025, reading, phonics, The Bell Ringer, knowledgeComment
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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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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MagazineNathaniel Swain2025, reading, phonics, The Bell Ringer, knowledgeComment
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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MagazineNathaniel SwainTeacher Magazine, 2025, reading, phonicsComment
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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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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MagazineNathaniel Swain2024, cognitive load, writing, science of learning, book reviewComment
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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MagazineNathaniel SwainEducationHQ, Teacher Magazine, 2025Comment
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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Media, Magazine, RadioNathaniel Swain2025, Radio, listenComment
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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Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, science of learning, podcast, 2025Comment
Beautiful ‘TeacherTok’ classrooms might hinder learning: researcher
Beautiful ‘TeacherTok’ classrooms might hinder learning: researcher

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.

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MagazineNathaniel SwainEducationHQ, Teacher Magazine, 2025, whole class, explicitComment
New teaching model looks to revamp student learning
New teaching model looks to revamp student learning

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.

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MagazineNathaniel Swain2024, cognitive load, writingComment