Posts in Magazine
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.

Read More
Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, science of learning, podcast, 2025Comment
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.

Read More
MagazineNathaniel SwainTeacher Magazine, 2025, reading, phonicsComment
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.

Read More
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 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 More
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!

Read More
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!

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
MagazineNathaniel Swain2024, cognitive load, writingComment
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. 

Read More
MagazineNathaniel SwainEducationHQ, Teacher Magazine, 2025, whole class, explicitComment
How to fix writer's block for you or your students
How to fix writer's block for you or your students

Education HQ, March 18, 2024 by Nathaniel Swain

Do you ever find yourself at a loss for words or battling writer’s block?

Do your colleagues or students submit writing that is unclear or riddled with grammatical errors? It's a common experience and could stem from running short on ideas.

However, this challenge also relates to the cognitive demands of writing. Writing is not just about putting words on paper; it requires a fluency in English sentence structure which many of us lack, as it typically has not been taught in school.

Read More
MagazineNathaniel Swain2024, cognitive load, writingComment
Nathaniel Swain on Writing to Learn
Nathaniel Swain on Writing to Learn

Education Research Room, Episode #076, March 15, 2023, with Ollie Lovell

…This is a wide ranging discussion that moves from what makes good writing, to The Writing Revolution, to the Write to Learn resources that Nathaniel has created with the Brandon Park Primary team. We also have a bit of fun playing around with literacy and hopefully model within this podcast the kind of fun that can be had by students too, in this space. It was a real pleasure to have Nathaniel on and I can’t wait to see the impact that Nathaniel continues to have in the coming years and decades in his new role as a teacher educator, in addition to through his wide variety of other exciting projects in the education space…

Read More
Media, Magazine, PodcastNathaniel Swainlisten, 2023Comment
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.

Read More
Media, Magazine, RadioNathaniel Swain2025, Radio, listenComment