Posts tagged 2025
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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MagazineNathaniel Swain2025, reading, phonics, The Bell Ringer, knowledgeComment
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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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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Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, science of learning, podcast, 2025Comment
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 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.

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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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How to Guarantee you are using a Deep Knowledge Curriculum
How to Guarantee you are using a Deep Knowledge Curriculum

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.

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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
Whole class explicit teaching the best start for all learners: expert
Whole class explicit teaching the best start for all learners: expert

Australian Teacher Magazine, July 2, 2024, By Sarah Duggan

Whole class teaching has been wrongly deemed an out-of-date and exclusionary instructional approach, but in reality it facilitates equity in the classroom and is more effective than differentiation when done well, one expert says.

According to former primary teacher Dr Nathaniel Swain, now a senior lecturer in learning sciences at La Trobe University, too many Australian teachers do not draw upon responsive and adaptive whole class teaching as a means of catering to classes with diverse learning needs. 

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MagazineNathaniel SwainEducationHQ, Teacher Magazine, 2025, whole class, explicitComment
NAPLAN starts this week. Here’s what the changes mean for students and parents
NAPLAN starts this week. Here’s what the changes mean for students and parents

The Age, March 13, 2023, by Lucy Carroll and Adam Carey

In 2023, NAPLAN was moved from May to March, shifted entirely online, and introduced new proficiency standards to provide earlier insights into student learning. These changes raised concerns about student stress and equity. While not commenting directly on NAPLAN, Dr. Nathaniel Swain advocates for evidence-based teaching and a knowledge-rich curriculum, aligning with the goal of using assessments to better support learning.

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Media, Magazine, RadioNathaniel Swain2025, Radio, listenComment