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 MoreIn this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He returns for the third time and this time it’s to unpack his new book Harnessing the Science of Learning. However, as you will hear, they actually go beyond the book and dig into some of the critical considerations that schools and teachers need to be making. They explore how to make teaching and learning the top priority in your school, reclaiming valuable instructional time often lost to distractions. They also unpack the essential elements of effective literacy and numeracy instruction, going beyond the surface level to understand the importance of a knowledge-rich curriculum, explicit teaching techniques, and structured implementation processes.
They look at why teaching should be “Fun in the service of learning, not in spite of Learning” and some of the common barriers that school leaders face when initiating change.
Read MoreThis episode is a conversation between me and three amazing educators who are making inroads to bring the science of learning to schools across Australia. Most excitingly, we are all contributing authors to the book, Harnessing the Science of Learning by Nathaniel Swain, who, of course, is on the show today and has been on the show before.
Read MoreThe science of learning is what research says about how our brains learn.
In this episode, Nathaniel Swain discusses the science of learning, emphasizing its connection with the science of reading.
He shares:
key mindset shifts for teachers
the significance of coherent curriculum planning
practical strategies like using mini whiteboards and advanced organizers to enhance student engagement and understanding
He also highlights the need for responsive whole-class instruction and the importance of closing learning gaps early in students' educational journeys.
Read MoreKnowledge Society's Australian School Improvement Summit in Melbourne, October 2024, saw a great gathering of policy-makers, system and school leaders together to discuss how to improve the learning in every classroom in every postcode.
Read More“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 MoreThe science of reading tells us what to teach; the science of learning tells us how. Dr. Nathaniel Swain, author of the new book, Harnessing the Science of Learning, debunks common myths about how students learn and helps teachers understand how to improve their craft so all students learn.
Read MoreA trend-setting school in Melbourne’s north-east is spreading the word about a new literacy policy. The approach takes the guesswork out of learning and overturns teaching techniques that were first introduced in the 1870s.
Read MoreDrawing on insights from his upcoming book, Dr Nathaniel Swain shared key takeaways from the successful implementation of the Science of Learning aligned practice, and how you can empower your team to transform their work and their students’ outcomes.
Read MoreWelcome back to another episode of Educate's "On the Road to Literacy Success"!
We're thrilled to have you with us as we dive back into the heart of literacy instruction. In Part 2, we're continuing our engaging conversation with the insightful Dr. Nathaniel Swain.
In this episode, we’ll explore the dynamics of whole group teaching, break down the literacy block, and discuss why it's essential to stay flexible and adaptable in your teaching approach. If you're interested in diving deeper into whole class teaching, be sure to check out Dr. Swain's website at nathanialswain.com, grab a copy of his new book, "Harnessing the Science of Learning", and don't forget to visit me, Staci, at GoodHumansEducate.com for your Tier 1 strategy, professional learning, resources, and more.
So, get ready for some valuable insights—let's take a listen, good human!
Read MoreDr Nathaniel Swain is a Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Writer. He works as a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences at La Trobe University School of Education and SOLAR LAB, and he produces a blog for teachers called Dr Swain’s Cognitorium. Nathaniel has taught a range of learners in schools and universities and founded a community of teachers committed to the Science of Learning: THINK FORWARD EDUCATORS, now 23,000 members and growing. Dr Swain is a sought-after speaker on educational circuits and has a new book in 2024 entitled “Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success stories to help kickstart your school improvement”.
Read MoreHi, welcome to the Bell Ringer's very first video interview with an expert. I'm journalist Holly Korbey and I'm really excited to have Dr. Nathaniel Swain here today. He's an instructional coach and researcher and author of the book Harnessing the Science of Learning. He's a senior lecturer of learning sciences and learning engagement at La Trobe University School of Education located in Melbourne, Australia, which is where he's at today.
Read MoreJoin me for an illuminating discussion with teacher, researcher, and writer Dr. Nathaniel Swain as we explore the recent science of learning boom in education and unpack effective strategies to boost learning in the classroom.
Read MoreDo 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 MoreIn this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He currently works at La Trobe University as a Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement and the Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs. He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators. Nathaniel first appeared on the Knowledge for Teachers podcast in season 1 episode 20 and unpacked some of the FAQ about the science of learning. This time they delve into the messy world of teaching writing. He explains how writing is a complex skill and provides practical strategies for sequencing the teaching of grammar and integrating writing into the curriculum.
Read MoreA report has revealed how Australian school kids could improve their “dismal” test performances.
Senior lecturer and director of Academic Programs at La Trobe University, Dr Nathaniel Swan, says there are schools who have changed the way they teach students.
“And you can get better results as a result,” he told Ross and Russel.
Read MoreEducation experts are calling on teachers to get back to basics, to help boost students' falling grades.
Read MoreNathaniel Swain began his teaching career four years ago at Parkville College, a Melbourne school for incarcerated youths, before shifting this year to Brandon Park Primary, a middle-class school in Wheelers Hill. What the adolescents inside the justice system shared was a poor experience of school, beginning with learning difficulties going undetected, Swain says, a failing that happens every day in advantaged and disadvantaged schools, when the best evidence on effective teaching practice is not used. Emina McLean, Head of English at Docklands Primary, also led research by the Australian Education Research Organisation on entrenched flaws in teaching writing in Australian schools. The pair are among a growing community of young educators driving a shift in primary years teaching, towards a systematic style that builds one piece of learning upon another, moving on only when concepts are mastered.
Read MoreA 2022 report highlighted in EducationHQ reveals that New Zealand's extensive shift to open-plan, student-led classrooms—termed Innovative Learning Environments (ILEs)—lacks a solid evidence base supporting their effectiveness. Initiated in 2011, this transformation aimed to modernize outdated classrooms but has since faced scrutiny over its actual impact on student learning outcomes. Dr. Nathaniel Swain’s educational philosophy aligns with the report's emphasis on evidence-based practices.
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