Education Commons^™

When Brian Acted His Way Out Of A Wet Paper Bag: The Transformational Qualities Of Drama Education, Christina Gray, Robin Pascoe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study utilised Mezirow’s Transformative Learning framework to explore drama teachers’ and pre-service drama teachers’ perceptions of transformation in the drama space. The research specifically examined three core questions: 1. Who are transformed? 2. What is transformed? 3. How does transformation happen? Adopting a phenomenological qualitative approach, we analysed interview data from eight drama teachers and 22 pre-service drama teachers in Western Australia. Findings indicate that participation in school-based drama activities fosters transformations (and perceptions of transformation) in self-confidence, personal values, and willingness to take creative risks. Beyond teaching performance skills, drama cultivates deeper understandings of self and others, offering …

Mapping Digital Confidence In Initial Teacher Education: A Rasch-Based Self-Audit Tool For Curriculum Improvement, Michael D. Carey, David A. Martin, Natalie Mcmaster, Kate Williams, Natalie Kidd

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a higher education initial teacher education (ITE) programme in preparing primary school preservice teachers (PSTs) to integrate information, communication, digital, and robotics technologies (ICDRTs) into classroom teaching. While situated in an ITE programme, the methodology, based on a Rasch-calibrated self-audit, offers an actionable approach to evaluating PSTs’ digital confidence and learning needs across higher education disciplines. Using a Rasch-validated 77-item self-audit instrument, responses from 490 final-year PSTs were analysed to identify curriculum gaps and assess the programme’s capacity to develop digital pedagogical readiness. Regression analysis examined associations between readiness and socio-demographic variables (sex, age …

Unlocking Students’ Creative Confidence Through Design Thinking Practices: A Parallel Mediation Of Collaboration And Diversity, And Creativity, Faisal Iddris, Agyapong, Emmanuel Mensah Kparl, Philip Opoku Mensah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite the consensus in the literature that design thinking practices spark innovation, research has yet to examine the creative confidence outcomes of design thinking practices. Integrating the Resource-Based Theory and the Componential Theory of Creativity, we hypothesised a parallel mediation model in which design thinking practices are associated with creative confidence via collaboration and diversity, and creativity. Based on a sample of 419 tertiary students in a Ghanaian University, it was found that design thinking facilitates students’ creative confidence. Also, collaboration and diversity partially mediate the relationship between design thinking and creative confidence. The study also found support for the …

Beyond Assumptions: What Students Really Think About School Wellbeing Programs, Amanda Madden

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The study examined students’ perceptions of effective components in school-based wellbeing programs, addressing a critical gap where adolescent voices are absent. Data was gathered through a questionnaire, individual interviews, and focus groups conducted with 36 Year 12 students across three independent co-educational schools in Western Australia. Thematic analysis identified seven key components essential for effective wellbeing programming: targeted content providing respite from academic pressures, engaging and relatable presenters, strategic timing, developmental appropriateness, meaningful measurement, genuine teacher engagement, and authentic incorporation of student voice. Students valued practical, non-academic content and expressed scepticisms about teacher-delivered programs. Timing emerged as a previously underexplored …

Towards Transgressive Inclusion In Physical Education? The Experiences And Perspectives Of People With Disabilities In Western Australia, Steven Connelly, Dawn Penney, David Aldous

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper foregrounds the voices of people with disabilities (PwD) and their experiences of Physical Education (PE) in Western Australia (WA) in exploring interests in transgressive inclusion that are grounded in social justice and equity for PwD (DeLuca, 2013). Towards an interdisciplinary framework for educational inclusivity. Canadian Journal of Education, 36(1), 305–348. https://journals.sfu.ca/cje/index.php/cje-rce/article/view/1157/1475). The study employed a questionnaire method to pursue the perspectives of PwD in relation to (i) their experiences of lower secondary PE (years 7-10), (ii) teacher support in PE classes, (iii) experiences beyond PE in sport and physical activity, and (iv) their views regarding ways to improve …

Does Class Ability Grouping In Secondary Schools Improve Students’ Literacy Scores On Australia’S Naplan Tests?, Olivia Johnston, Christa Norris, Peter Palamara

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Many schools choose to use ability grouping, despite longstanding evidence that it is inequitable and does not improve overall academic outcomes. One reason that the practice of grouping students by ‘ability’ continues is because of pressure to perform on standardised tests. Educators hold beliefs that grouping students for English classes, for example, will improve their literacy scores. This paper presents findings from a study about class ability grouping for English in Australia and how different class grouping practices relate with students’ achievement on Australia’s standardised literacy test. The findings draw on data from our Class Ability Grouping Survey, where participant …

Re-Viewing Children’S Relations With Waste Through Commoning, Worlding And Inheriting, Mindy Blaise, Annette Nykiel, Jane Merewether, Stefania Giamminuti

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Feminist environmental educators have been calling for new ways of dismantling traditional separations such as nature–culture for reconfiguring human–environment relations. The Common Worlds Research Collective is an interdisciplinary research network made up of educators and researchers that conduct feminist and anticolonial pedagogical and methodological work concerned with more-than-human worlds. This visual essay takes inspiration from the inventive ways the Common Worlds Research Collective are thinking and practising with concepts. This visual essay introduces commoning, worlding and inheriting as concepts for rethinking practice. It shows how re-viewing photographic documentation taken of a waste project with young children and educators opens up …

Yoga Storytelling As An Active Learning Approach: Insights From Early Childhood Classroom Practice, Serap Sevimli-Celik

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Movement plays a central role in early childhood learning, supporting children’s physical development, emotional regulation and cognitive engagement. In recent years, educators have been paying more attention to movement-based approaches to enhance classroom learning experiences. Yoga, when adapted for young children, offers opportunities for playful movement, body awareness and relaxation. This paper reflects on my experiences as a movement educator and explores how yoga can support active learning in early childhood classrooms. Drawing on a series of 30-minute yoga storytelling sessions delivered to five- and six-year-old children in a preschool setting, the paper illustrates how yoga storytelling can be integrated …

The Best Practice Guide For Early Childhood Education And Care Food Environment: Module 5: Sustainable Food Practices (Version 1.0), Ros Sambell, Audrey Elford, Connie N. Ihlein, Lochie Clark, Amanda Devine, Helen Alexiou, Lennie Barblett, Caterina Benati, Fiona Champion, Bek Clancy, Penelope Clark, Kathy Cologon, Wendy Cook, Katie Dix, Kirsty Elliott, Leanne Elliston, Amanda Ferguson, Ricky Gelman, Jodie Gray, Natalie Gulberti, Lorraine Hingston, Karen Krist, Deana Leahy, Rebecca Lindberg, Stacey Mckenzie, Merryn Netting, Ciara O’Flaherty, Asha Rojahn, Blake Stewart, Leah Stuart-Douglas, Aimee Sullivan, Suzanne Tamone, Henry Tan, Sandra Vale, Jill Whelan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

ECEC food environments are uniquely positioned to support sustainability by implementing practices that can reduce environmental impacts while creating meaningful opportunities for children to experience and explore the interconnections between people, animals, plants, lands and water through food.

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (Version 2.0) recognises sustainability as an important consideration for children’s learning and development and that educators and children have active roles to play in contributing to more sustainable communities.1 Through the food provided, mealtimes, and food education, ECEC services can provide meaningful opportunities for children to experience and engage with sustainable food practices.

This Sustainable Food …

The Best Practice Guide For Early Childhood Education And Care Food Environment: Module 4: Staff And Family Engagement (Version 1.0), Ros Sambell, Audrey Elford, Connie N. Ihlein, Lochie Clark, Amanda Devine, Helen Helen Alexiou, Lennie Barblett, Fiona Champion, Penelope Clark, Kathy Cologon, Wendy Cook, Katie Dix, Kirsty Elliott, Leanne Elliston, Amanda Ferguson, Yuna Ribeiro Ferreira Alves, Ricky Gelman, Jodie Gray, Natalie Gulberti, Lena Harle, Jill Whelan, Karen Krist, Ashton Leach, Deana Leahy, Stacey Mckenzie, Lauren Moore, Merryn Netting, Ciara O’Flaherty, Asha Rojahn, Blake Stewart, Aimee Sullivan, Suzanne Tamone, Henry Tan, Courtney Trezona, Sandra Vale, Kathy Cologon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Engaging with families is a core responsibility of ECEC services and staff. By building positive, personal relationships with families, ECEC staff are able to share concerns or queries about the children in their care in a sensitive way.

One of the more sensitive topics that can come up is food – what they are eating, how much they are eating, their eating behaviours and skills, and everything in between. Through quick conversations at drop-off or via formal communication platforms, services can share a range of information about a child’s eating patterns and behaviours, and also gather information from families to …

Beyond Compliance: Transformative Co-Design For Gender-Based Violence Prevention In Higher Education, Narelle Lemon, Christina Gray, Jason Goopy, Lisa Holmes, Bec Ball, Melissa Perry, Elisa Fear

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examines how university staff and students experience transformative learning through voluntary participation in a gender-based violence (GBV) prevention programme that transcended compliance-oriented approaches. While universities increasingly rely on mandatory modules that fail to create sustainable change, this research investigates whether self-nominated participation and co-design pedagogy can foster genuine transformation and voice development among participants from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. A qualitative multi-method design examined eight university students (aged 18–24) at an Australian university through pre-post focus groups, observational field notes, and artefact analysis. Participants voluntarily engaged in workshops co-designing peer-focused social media prevention messaging. Inductive thematic analysis identified patterns …

Bishop’S Categories 40 Years On: Reclaiming And Sustaining Story And Culture Authors, Helen Adam, Libby Jackson-Barrett, Nicola Daly, Maria Nayr De Pinho Correia Ibrahim, Gloria Boutte

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Bishop’s foundational framework for analysing multicultural children’s literature has provided essential tools for understanding cultural representation for almost 40 years. However, the evolution of First Nations children’s literature and the increased Indigenous control over publishing and storytelling suggest Bishop’s original three categories may not fully capture the complexity of contemporary Indigenous storytelling. This study reports on a comprehensive analysis of 750 books by and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, employing yarning methodology and Indigenous research approaches to examine patterns of cultural representation across historical periods. Whilst Bishop’s categories remain relevant, two additional categories emerged: Culturally Sustaining and Cultural …

Employer Perspectives On Graduates’ Professional Identity Formation In The Workplace, Denise Jackson, Michael Tomlinson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Professional identity (PI) is recognised as a crucial dimension in how graduates negotiate the transition to employment and move towards a pathway of sustainable professional development. Perspectives on PI have been derived mainly from higher education students with little attention given to the perspective of employers involved in supporting and supervising graduates in the workplace. Accordingly, the study surveys 339 industry professionals to examine their perceptions of how formed graduates’ PI is at different times after recruitment and the influence of personal, organisational and external factors on identity formation at work. Employers recognised how a well-formed PI enables graduates to …

Making Room For ‘Feelings’: What's At Stake For The Theory Of Practice Architectures?, George Variyan, Brad Gobby

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper responds to Thelin, K. [2024. What about feelings? Elaboration on and consideration of the theoretical construct of emotions in practice and practice architectures. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 1–14] intriguing proposal that the theory of practice architectures (hereafter TPA) would benefit from an augmentation to its oft-repeated analytical mantra of ‘sayings, doings and relatings’ by adding the notion of feelings. Thelin's work is motivated by the increasing realisation amongst adherents that TPA has thus far been relatively silent on how emotions mediate practice. As such, there are ongoing efforts to think through the place of emotions in …

The Ecology Of Hope: Building Rainbows In Education Systems, Jennifer Achari

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hope is frequently invoked in education, yet rarely theorised. Where it has been theorised, it has been understood in two largely separate ways: as an individual psychological capacity, in the positive-psychology tradition and as a critical-emancipatory stance, in the pedagogy of hope. This article proposes a third: a theory, the ecology of hope, that locates hope not in the individual alone but in the relationship between a person and the systems that surround them. Bringing the cognitive psychology of hope into dialogue with ecological systems theory, the social-ecological account of resilience, and utopian methodology, in which a better society is …

Feeling Giggity: Ambiguous Emojis In Teaching And Learning Communications, Mary Kynn, Nicole Reinke, Eva Hatje

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

There is an increase in the number of digital platforms used in higher education classrooms that promote using emojis to capture students’ emotions. However, there is little evidence to suggest that interpretation of emojis is reliable in this context. This pilot project explored if emojis can reliably signify the emotions expressed by first-year university students. Students were asked to record their emotions by selecting a representative emoji and using free text to describe its meaning. A total of 72 responses were recorded in an anonymous online survey. Happy face emojis were used more frequently than emojis representing neutral or unpleasant …

Schools, Space And Atmospheres: The Value Of Student Videos In Negotiating Contested Spaces In New Urban Vertical Schools, Prue Miles, Kylie Boltin, Stuart Poyntz, Jill Willis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Voices of young people are essential in civic discourse about thriving futures. Yet dialogue can be complicated when the experiences of adults and young people are vastly different, for example in school spaces designed by adults in cities designed for adults. Vertical, highrise inner city schools represent this intersection. A new genre of school in Australia, vertical schools symbolise aspirations for young people and livable cities as designed by adults. This paper draws from data collected in the Thriving in Vertical Schools project to explore the importance of affective learning atmospheres for students, and the value of digital stories to …

A Brunerian Theoretical Framework For Ece: A Review Of Jerome Bruner’S Theoretical Contributions To Early Childhood Education, Samantha Wynne, Christine Robinson, Dee O’Connor

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper presents the findings of an independent study, a systemic narrative literature review, that identifies and synthesises Jerome Bruner’s theoretical propositions related to young children’s knowledge construction and learning from birth to the early years of schooling. The research contributes the Brunerian Theoretical Framework, the first contextualised synthetisation of Brunerian theory as it relates to Early Childhood Education (ECE). Bruner’s postmodern constructivist and culturalist perspectives related to epistemology, theory, and pedagogy are explicated in the review of literature. Importantly, this paper explores Bruner’s culturalist provocation to centre epistemological inquiry in education. Bruner proposes that when educators adopt an epistemic …

Calm, Confident, And Connected: Emotional Intelligence Strategies For Preservice And Novice Teachers, Tiffany Pendleton, Bailey Peterson, Heather Richmond, Jessie Tucker

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

Imagine walking into your first classroom as a teacher. You've spent years learning how to teach, but within the first hour you’re faced with unexpected behaviors, challenges, and the responsibility of managing an entire classroom. Often, it's not the lack of content knowledge that leaves new teachers feeling overwhelmed; it's a lack of opportunities to develop the interpersonal and intrapersonal skills needed to navigate the realities of the classroom. Our professional learning module helps preservice and novice teachers strengthen communication, relationship-building, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. By developing these skills, preservice and novice teachers can build confidence, manage their classrooms more …

“I Don’T Always See A Future For Me Here”: Oppressive Political Pressures On Lgbtq+ College Students’ Well-Being, Jodi Linley, Olivia M. Copeland, Kathleen J. Buell, Cindy Ann Kilgo, Megan Pendleton, Alex C. Lange, N F. Tennessen

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

In recent decades, colleges have broadly supported LGBTQ+ students. Now, institutions have shuttered LGBTQ+ initiatives in response to political pressures, with little consideration for the effects on students. This study answers the question, what current policy factors do LGBTQ+ college students describe as affecting their well-being, and in what ways? We analyzed 426 responses from a multi-institution study of LGBTQ+ students. By and large, students feel anxious and fearful as they navigate the current climate. Our analysis illustrated numerous factors, from the President and his administration to states and general emboldened violence, and the real and potential consequences of those …

Nsu Business Graduate Student Catalog 2025-2026 Winter 2026 Edition, Nova Southeastern University

Huizenga Postgraduate Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Affordable Course Content And Open Education Resources For Undergraduate Courses Teaching Fundamentals Of Wireless Communications And Networking, Dimitrie C. Popescu, Otilia Popescu

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Wireless communication systems and networks along with the services they provide have become an essential component of the modern 21st century society, fueling job growth in the wireless industry and increasing the need for engineers specialized in wireless communication systems. As a consequence, over the past two decades, undergraduate courses teaching fundamentals of wireless communication systems and networks have become common in electrical and computer engineering and technology programs. At the same time, the number of textbooks dedicated to wireless systems and networks published by mainstream publishers has also grown, with availability in various formats and offerings and a significant …

Let’S Make The Change: Addressing The Knowledge Gaps And Building Confidence In Teaching Aboriginal Perspectives For Pre-Service Teachers, Sarah Booth, Libby Jackson-Barrett, Mary Anne Macdonald, Renae Isaacs-Guthridge, Sian Bennett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Teaching Aboriginal perspectives and Aboriginal students by non-Indigenous teachers can feel daunting; however, this need not be the case. This study focuses on two frameworks that can be used to motivate pre-service teachers to feel more confident in teaching Aboriginal perspectives even when starting with trepidation in this area. To explain further, this study explored the impact an Aboriginal Contexts in Education unit had on pre-service teachers’ readiness to teach Aboriginal students and Aboriginal curriculum. Through two frameworks pre-service teachers were exposed to a range of Aboriginal perspectives through Aboriginal educators, authors, and resources, and spoke of their appreciation of …

Measuring Teachers’ Beliefs In Their Capacity To Use Differentiated Instruction In Their Classrooms: Development, Validation And Confirmation Of A Self-Efficacy Scale, Kathryn Gibbs, Stuart Woodcock, Nicole Dargue, Leah Le, Eunjae Park, Tom Porter, Gemma Scarparolo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this study was to develop, validate and confirm a scale to gain a better understanding of teachers’ beliefs in their capacity to use differentiated instruction in their classrooms. Differentiation is an effective approach to teaching, designed to enable equitable learning opportunities for every student. Teachers are recommended to differentiate aspects of teaching, instruction, learning, assessment and the learning environment due to the increasing student heterogeneity within classrooms worldwide. Emerging literature has suggested that teacher self-efficacy may influence how teachers use this teaching approach. It is unknown if there is an existing scale that measures teachers’ self-efficacy when …

Send Us Your Children: Toronto’S Growing Market Of Private Schools For International Secondary Students And Why It Is Concerning, Olivia Johnston, Roopa Trilokekar, Sue Winton, Laura Perry

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The number of private secondary schools that cater to international students is increasing rapidly, especially in the Canadian city of Toronto. Previous studies about international students in public schools have uncovered several concerns, but little is known about these largely unregulated, for-profit private schools. We had created a dataset of all private secondary schools in Toronto (n = 370), and in the process noticed a high volume of schools explicitly targeting international students (n = 174). Thus, a qualitative document analysis of the websites of schools was conducted to explore this market further. Our final analysis uncovered 138 ‘schools of …

Text Messaging Programs To Support Family Literacy Practices: A Scoping Review, Lennie Barblett, Leanne Lavina, Nicola Johnson, Caroline Barratt-Pugh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Using bulk digital text messaging has been shown to be effective in many different fields such as health program interventions and supporting parents/carers. Evaluations of these interventions indicate positive changes in practice; however, it appears the potential of digital messaging through short message services (SMS) have not been fully taken advantage of in early childhood education. This scoping review using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) approach investigates the current practices of text messaging programs to support families in the development of preschool aged children’s language and literacy learning. Searches of five databases identified 16 articles that fitted our criteria. Results indicate: …

Twelve Tips For Using Microlearning For Faculty Development, Kylie Fitzgerald, Brett Vaughan, Tamara Clements, Svetlana King, Alison Ledger, Kate Mathews, Rosalind Norton, Michael Poulton, Rosie Shea, Rashmi Watson, Walter Eppich, Stephen Trumble, Marco De Carvalho Filho

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Teaching is an expected as part of the health professional’s role, amidst clinical and administrative workloads, yet many receive limited education training. Microlearning addresses this gap through short, focused, flexible learning units integrated into daily workflows for immediate application. Our paper presents twelve practical tips to guide faculty developers to design, implement, evaluate and sustain microlearning programs for faculty development (FD). The tips offer ideas to help faculty developers manage common barriers to engagement (i.e. time, relevance, technology, institutional support) and provide ideas to navigate these. The tips are applicable to health professions education (HPE) settings seeking scalable, sustainable, low …

What Are Information Literacy Skills? Western Australian Primary Teachers’ Interpretations Of The Ict Curriculum, Louise Moroney, Vaille Dawson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Teachers must equip students to navigate an increasingly complex world of unique challenges and opportunities, necessitating the development of a diverse range of transferable skills. These skills are embedded in the General Capabilities (GC) of the Australian school curriculum. Upper primary school teachers’ interpretations of one of the GC, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) learning progressions, was examined, as these skills have become increasingly important with the rise in generative and assistive artificial intelligence. Using an interpretivist paradigm, an exploratory study was used to determine the areas where 36 teachers differed in their interpretations of the learning progression. Data collected …

Re-Thinking Bodies In Cross-Border Physical Education Teacher Education Policies: A Posthuman Perspective, Valeria Varea, Erik Backman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While posthumanist studies have increased in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE), traditional analytical approaches are still often employed for the analysis of policy documents, which limits the ways that we can understand policy work. The aim of this paper is to explore how bodies are conceptualised and assembled in PETE policies in one institution from Sweden and one from Australia using a posthumanist perspective. We understand these policies as material doings and enactments of the world that can allow us to think differently about PETE. By using the concepts of assemblage and plugging in, three result categories are presented: (1) …

The Gender Gap In Writing: Gender Profiles For Paper- And Computer-Based Writing In Early Education, Anabela Malpique, Deborah Pino-Pasternak, Mustafa Asil

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research Findings: The gender gap in writing has received strong interest from literacy education and research, based on recurrent reports of gender differences in writing typically favoring female students. In this study, we investigated gender differences on paper- and computer-based text composing performance among early primary children (N = 544 Grade 2 students). Multilevel analyses revealed significant differences between boys and girls in both compositional quality and productivity across writing modalities. Specifically, boys consistently exhibited lower scores in both compositional quality and productivity compared to girls. Gender differences were notably influenced by various student-level factors such as handwriting automaticity, spelling …