Brian's Blog

As educators, our ultimate goal is to foster deep learning in our students, where they engage in critical thinking, develop a growth mindset, and cultivate a love for learning. Inquiry-based learning is a powerful pedagogical approach that empowers students to take charge of their education, encouraging curiosity and independent thinking (Kuhlemeier, Hemker & Tripp, 2017). By encouraging curiosity and empowering students to take ownership of their learning, we seek to cultivate lifelong learners who are intrinsically motivated to explore and understand the world around them. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a professional learning session led by Trevor MacKenzie and Jess Vance hosted by Dr. Stephanie Smith at the Museum of Australian Democracy. Before comments are made highlighting the tension between the science of and the inquiry community, I want to put up front, the professional learning was a balanced view and acknowledged that it was essential to teach the skill exp...

Within the scope of education, leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the future of students, educators, and the broader educational community. True leadership goes beyond administrative tasks and strategy; it embraces the character traits of integrity, humbleness, and faith. These virtues, when embodied by leaders, nurture a culture of trust, accomplishment, and celebration, promoting a sense of flourishing among all stakeholders.  In this longer blog post written to honour the work of a dear colleague, I will explore the significance of academic knowledge and its integration into high-quality teaching and learning curricula. Additionally, I will examine the essential elements of social-emotional wellbeing and the value of offering unwavering support during times of change and innovation. I invite you to continue reading! This article draws upon the extensive experience of a long-standing friend and colleague and is influenced by six other critical educational leaders that I h...

  In the dynamic landscape of education, progressive teaching strategies have emerged as effective approaches that prioritise student-centred learning and active engagement. These strategies aim to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills among students. Backed by research findings and supported by anecdotal evidence, these strategies offer a valuable toolkit for educators to enhance student learning outcomes.  In this blog post, I will explore several progressive teaching strategies that I have been learning more about recently to enhance the impact on student learning the teachers I work with have. During this holiday, my learning and understanding has been strengthened through the attendance at a learning workshop facilitated by Trevor MacKenzie and Jess Vance and a visit to the Google Headquarters in Sydney with the Google for Education team. Progressive teaching strategies prioritise student engagement and active participation in the learning pr...