news, latest-news

The teachers' union has warned the authors of a damning report into Canberra's school system to stay out of the classroom and leave lesson planning to the experts. The Australia Institute report, which found the majority of Canberra's high socioeconomic public and private primary schools record worse results than comparable schools interstate, has recommended a voluntary trial of direction instruction teaching methods. "Direct instruction is ... characterised by the use of demonstration, guided practice then independent practice, summarised in the phrase 'I do, we do, you do'," the report said. "It is important to note that direct instruction programs are not intended to be used exclusively and advocates of direct instruction do not suggest that entire school days are dedicated to direct instruction lessons." Direct instruction is controversial among teachers, who tend to lean towards constructivist, inquiry-based philosophies. The former method has been described by detractors as "skilling and drilling" students but advocates argue it's more effective than discovery-based learning. Australia Institute report co-author Andrew Macintosh said researchers recognised the importance of teacher autonomy and that only a voluntary trial was recommended. "We don't think the trial will provide any new evidence that'll show that direct instruction is more effective than other methods because we think that evidence is already out there," he said. "The purpose of the trial is really to show to Canberra teachers that direct instruction works and is not talking about reverting back to the 1960s nor is it talking about necessarily using commercial products that cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars a year." Australian Education Union ACT secretary Glenn Fowler said teachers already used explicit instruction when they saw fit and that wider implementation would be "an enormous leap". "I get that they're trying to insert a nuance there, but I have to make it very clear that their wanderings into this space have limitations," he said. "Direct instruction carries with it a particular connotation that all a school's shortcomings can be addressed through this shortcut, through reducing the educational experience to an extremely tight program that frankly technicians could deliver with minimal training. "It is insulting to the four years plus of training that teachers receive which allows them to choose the right teaching methods at the right time." Education Minister Yvette Berry earlier this week appeared to reject a trial of the method. "Teaching has moved away from a 'one size fits all' approach and ACT teachers like to work individually with students so they are enabled to get the most out of their learning," she said. "The ACT government respects the professional judgement of teachers as they draw on a range of teaching strategies and methods suitable for the child being supported to learn." The Australia Institute report, released on Friday and based on analysis of NAPLAN data, joined two other scathing reports into the ACT's "underperforming" school system released this year.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/a318288e-e96c-40dd-bf3c-a22804d5bdd9/r0_108_2000_1238_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg