Perspectives in Parryville

Today my guest is Paulina Larocca, Creativity Author, Trainer and Provocateur. In this episode, we discuss the relationship between creativity and innovation, and Paulina's studies in pursuing a Master's in Creative Problem Solving. Paulina offers insights into creativity, and the significance of embodiment practices and self-reflection in fostering creativity and personal growth. Paulina explains that connecting with the body and the environment can lead to powerful insights and creative breakthroughs. We chat about moments of stillness in our day and how this stillness can often bring in profound moments of insight. Paulina encourages people, especially those who might be a little sceptical, to deepen their relationship with creative practice and explore its potential. Links: https://paulinalarocca.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-larocca-b455044/

Today my guest is Ben Lawless, an educator, teacher, university lecturer, textbook author, and education consultant. Ben helps schoolteachers make sense of the different approaches to assessment, specifically by demystifying the design and use of rubrics and encouraging their value in supporting student progress. In this episode, we find out about Ben's very early experiences on a university campus, through to his later studies in law, philosophy, and education, which eventually lead to roles that combine teaching, research, and educational innovation. We discuss Ben's work in developmental rubric design, an approach used when teachers want to describe what it looks like to get better at something. Ben shares his belief that assessment in schools is time-consuming, and at times, inaccurate and often doesn't support teaching and learning. Ben shares insights into the idea that student assessment should be about growth, not just grades, and some of the limitations of traditional ranking systems. We also chat about Ben's love of history, video games in the classroom (such as using Assassin's Creed as a teaching tool), and his thoughts on NAPLAN, ATAR, and the pitfalls of big data in schools. We cover quite a few ideas and tangents in this fluid conversation. Ben encourages a more considered and meaningful approach to teaching, learning, and assessment. Links: https://lawlesslearning.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawlessben/

Today my guest is Dr Selena Fisk. In our conversation, we chat about Selena's career journey and her work as an author and data storyteller in education. We explore the use of generative AI in data analysis, the challenges and opportunities related to the use of data and strategy in schools, and the importance of using multiple sources of data, including personal reflections, to gain a well-rounded understanding of impact. Selena highlights the importance of understanding the context and purpose of data collection, the need for leaders to be confident in their own numeracy and understanding of data use and aligning data collection with an organisation's purpose and goals. Selena shares insights into the significance and purpose of a holistic approach to student well-being; that is, the need to consider not only academic performance but also students' emotional and physical well-being. Selena outlines the potential role of data, and the role of strategic leadership in using this information effectively. Links: https://www.selenafisk.com/

Today my guest is Melissa Gough, an educator, brain injury advocate, and podcaster. In this episode, we find out about Melissa's early and diverse career roles. We also explore Melissa's unexpected life-changing experience of surviving a brain haemorrhage. Melissa reflects on her recovery process, the challenges she faced in navigating the healthcare system, and the cognitive difficulties related to her condition. We explore her additional advocacy efforts for individuals with brain and other injuries in the form of her creating and hosting “The Brain Game Changer” podcast. Links: https://thebraingamechanger.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gough-68a33869/

Today my guest is Tim Kitchen, an educator, technologist, and advocate for creativity in education. Tim is also Adobe's Senior Education Specialist for the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on K-12 education. In this episode, Tim shares insights into his career, spanning a diverse range of roles, from teaching music and physical education, managing technology within schools, teacher professional development, and writing about creativity in education. We chat about educational technology and Tim's sustained passion for integrating technology in meaningful ways to enhance learning experiences while maintaining the human element. We also chat Tim's book, ‘The Best Way to Learn is to Make. Creativity in a Gen AI World', which explores the intersection of technology and creativity in contemporary classrooms. Tim reflects on the SAMR model, which encourages using technology not just to substitute traditional methods but to redefine teaching and prepare students for the future. Throughout our conversation, Tim offers practical ways to foster creativity in schools. Tim discusses the importance of nurturing creativity as a skill that can be taught and developed, as well as the potential role of AI in freeing up time for more creative pursuits. We chat about some of the challenges and misconceptions surrounding creativity and how teachers can break away from rigid classroom structures to encourage more creative thinking and creative practice. Links: https://timkitchen.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kitchen/ https://mammothlearning.co/the-best-way-to-learn-is-to-make/

Today, my guest is Helen Perris, a singer-songwriter and teacher. In this episode, we explore Helen's early life in Bundaberg, Queensland, where she grew up in a musical family surrounded by the rhythm and clickety clack of sugar cane trains. We explore her journey as a singer-songwriter and performer, her experiences as a teacher, and her ongoing passion for music that has been a constant throughout her life. Helen shares insights into her creative process, how she uses music as a therapeutic tool, and the challenges faced by independent artists in the music industry. We also discuss her new album - Remove This Shield - which emotionally reflect a range of personal stories and experiences. Helen is dedicated to fostering creativity, both in herself and in others and shares her thoughts on the power of music in personal expression, personal growth and healing. Helen emphasises the importance of creativity in education, the value of resilience, and the need for systemic changes to better support music students, artists and educators alike. Links: https://helenperris.bandcamp.com/album/remove-this-shield https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-perris-a1945229b/ https://helenperris.com/ https://helenperrismusic.com/

Today my guest is Matt Pitman, a Leader, Educator and Author. In this episode, we find out about Matt's early career as a teacher, as well as Matt's post-graduate studies. Over several years Matt was awarded not one, not two, but three Masters-level qualifications in educational leadership, student wellbeing, and evidence-based teaching, with each area linked back to the practicalities within a school. Matt provides insights into his context and motivations and how he decided to combine these big ideas into what eventually resulted in his recently published book: ‘The Connection Curriculum: Igniting Positive Change in Schools Through Sustainable Connection'. We chat about the positive impacts of connection - between schools, teachers, students, parents, and communities – and how the essential role of human connection is often overlooked in the rush for measurement, data-collection and achievement. Matt emphasises whole-school connectedness, the incredible people that work in schools, the value of dialog and the sharing of ideas and thoughts, the value of ‘student voice', and creating positive change within a school by having an openness of heart. Links: https://www.mattpitman.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlukepitman/

Today my guest is Peter Quarry, a psychologist, media presenter and writer. In this episode, we find out about Peter's early life and upbringing living between Australia, Germany, and other parts of Europe, his burning urge to be an actor, further studies in law, psychology and philosophy, his professional practice as a psychologist and counsellor, and forty years as a corporate training and development presenter and video producer. Peter shares his life highlights: being a presenter for several years on the popular live national television program ‘Good Morning Australia', dropping LSD, and marrying his husband. We discuss adaptability, resilience, and constructive feedback. Peter shares his reflective self-dialog - in the form of writing and answering letters to different aspects of himself, switching hats and perspectives between Pete and PQ – in correspondence. This approach, based on an established therapeutic technique, informed his recently published psychological memoir ‘If I were you: A psychologist puts himself on the couch'. We also chat about delivering effective training workshops, engaging with an audience, the role of silence, and how to improve an educational video. Peter offers tips and advice on scripting, performance, practicality, purpose, addressing a learning need and generally moving away from ‘death by PowerPoint' approaches with large amounts of text on screen. Peter emphasises the importance of humility, connections and networks, the value of trying out new things outside of your comfort zone and having an approach to life that's energised and full of self-awareness and ongoing learning. Links: https://www.peterquarry.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterquarry/

Today my guest is Daniel Bourke, a Creative Media Practitioner. In this episode, we find out about Daniel's background and current professional practice in creative media production with a focus on animation and video. We explore how Daniel communicates to an audience with video. He guides us through some of the ‘how-to' technical skills he uses, as well aspects that inform the ‘craft of storytelling', especially with technology. Daniel outlines how he used video and other technology to create public health communication campaigns – mini documentaries – working with actual people from the community as they share their experiences. Daniel shares insights on how he uses a respectful, human-centred approach to negotiate and plan productions with actors and community members, and how he guides conversations during on-camera interviews. We chat about video production strategies, questioning techniques, building emotional rapport, and encouraging a comfortable conversation with on-camera speakers, as well as more complicated issues such as the ethics of documentary production. We explore how Daniel uses more technical, precise and mathematical approaches in motion graphics and animation to still communicate human-centred stories and ideas which evoke emotions from an audience. As you might have guessed, we talk about AI – artificial intelligence, and the role this technology might play in creative media production. Daniel emphasises how, fundamentally, humans connect with stories and how we might use video as a social communication tool in our technologically fluid world. Links: https://www.dbmedia.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbourke92/ https://www.instagram.com/dbmedia.aus/

Today my guest is Monica Davidson, a Creative Practitioner and Business Educator. Monica believes that creativity gives our world a soul. In this episode, we find out about Monica's early life and her love of creative culture and expression. Monica recounts her early studies in communication and post-graduate studies in screen arts, business, leadership, and finance. Monica offers insights into supporting other creative practitioners – writers, film makers, artists, designers, and others – through education, advocacy and mentoring. We explore the creative practices of writing and film making, and those additional insights related to business, finance and marketing. We learn how Monica helps creative practitioners to develop these essential business skills, within the context of creative practice, to support creative and financial success. We find out about social enterprises, that is, commercial organisations with the heart of a non-profit, leading to positive outcomes for the community and world. Monica shares insights into the various approaches to teaching. For example, applying mathematics to practical, real-world situations such as calculating money. Some of Monica's more creative and sparkly pedagogy has involved teaching ideas around GST (Goods and Services Tax) through interpretive dance! Monica emphasises the simple, yet profound idea that creative people are businesspeople. Monica wants creatives to feel valued, and to encourage a broader culture that values creativity. Links: https://creativeplusbusiness.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicadavidson/ Freelancing for Australians For Dummies: https://www.wiley.com/en-au/Freelancing+for+Australian+For+Dummies-p-9780731407620

Today my guest is James Watt, a Palliative Care Nurse. In this episode, we find out about James' early life and upbringing in New Zealand and his study and training as a nurse. James shares insights into topics that are hard to talk about, for example those universal experiences such as death, dying and grief. James is particularly interested in how communication might be improved in health care, especially in palliative care, that is, supporting people who have a life-limiting illness. We chat about how James develops communication skills of his healthcare colleagues, and the micro skills in this area: naming an emotion, using the seemingly simple phrase ‘tell me more', validating and listening as a way to acknowledge the patient, summarising and reflecting back. We also discuss the central role of empathy, a skill that can be developed, and the use of non-verbal communication and words that demonstrate that empathy and making it explicit. James reflects on his clinical and staff training experiences during COVID and his thoughts on trauma, anger, fear, anxiety, isolation and collective grief in a post-pandemic world. We explore how James uses learning design skills to further expand and enhance his training and development techniques within health care, helping staff recognise and understand the complexities of grief. James emphasises how all people can use these valuable communication skills in their everyday lives. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-watt-0669b7244/

Today my guest is Leanne Tobin, a Multidisciplinary Artist. In this episode, we find out about Leanne's early life and upbringing in Sydney and her connections with Irish, English and Aboriginal (Dharug) heritage. Leanne shares insight into what she describes as ‘the hidden generation' and profound ideas around secrets, suppression, and identity. We chat about Leanne's ancestors, including Yarramundi (who met with Governor Phillip in the late 1700s) and Yarramundi's daughter, Maria Lock, the first Aboriginal landowner in the Liverpool region. Leanne shares insights into her motivations to bring Dharug stories and history of places to the surface and how this has informed her current exhibition at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, ‘Memories of Water (Badu)'. We learn how Leanne's artwork reveals glimpses of life from pre and post colonisation in the Liverpool/Casula region, where the Georges River flows. We explore how Leanne uses mixed media – oil pastels, acrylic paint, ochre, glass, audio and other media - to nurture respect for the stories of Country and of Dharug people, past and present. While listening, you might like to check out Leanne's Facebook page ‘Tobin Art' to see photos of her various artworks. The link is in the show notes. Here's my conversation with Leanne Tobin. Links: Tobin Art (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063743792327 Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre: https://www.casulapowerhouse.com/whats-on

Today my guest is Chris Curtis, a Cancer Advocate and founder of the UK-based Swallows Head & Neck Cancer support group and charity. In this episode, we find out about Chris' early life and his love of sport, football, food, cooking, hospitality and marketing. Chris offers insights into his more recent life and his diagnosis and treatment of stage-four throat cancer. We chat about the mental, physical, and psychological impact on Chris' everyday life and how, in the months following his treatment, he felt the need for comfort, support and hope from someone who had gone through a similar experience. We learn how Chris took a moment to reflect and engage with “his previous self” – someone who was skilled in management, advertising, sales, marketing and promotion – to turn his dream into a reality. Beginning with a marketing plan and laminated posters, Chris soon found support from willing and compassionate healthcare workers to expand and grow the Swallows group and to offer support and hope to other head and neck cancer patients. Chris reflects on the fundamental purpose of the group: a friendly and safe social space with open conversations between patients, caregivers, family and friends. We chat about running a successful group – both face-to-face and online, training of support group leaders and using community education strategies to address the various social inequalities which exist around public health and head and neck cancer. Chris brings an optimistic and positive voice in helping make a difference to thousands of cancer patients around the world. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-curtis-advocate/ https://twitter.com/swallowsgroup https://theswallows.org.uk/

Today my guest is Jennifer D Klein, an Author, Speaker, Facilitator and Coach. In this episode, we ask ‘What does good education look like if we place the student at the centre of their learning?' Jennifer outlines how she and co-author Kapono Ciotti approached the development of their recent book ‘The Landscape Model of Learning' by collaborating remotely during the pandemic, engaging with established and emerging educational theories, and gaining further insights through dialogue and conversations with teachers, school leaders, parents, and other stakeholders. Jennifer shares her thoughts on teacher professional development and the power of story, that is, an individual's authentic lived experience, and how this might shift how we think and feel about classroom practice. We explore the fundamentals of The Landscape Model of Learning, including the use of metaphors. There's ‘the ecosystem' – with an understanding of the context that each child brings to their learning, ‘the horizon' – where teachers co-construct with students with the aim of understanding student goals, aspirations, passions and interests, and ‘the pathway' – where teachers using pedagogies that allow students to work on slightly different pathways so what they're doing feels personally relevant and appropriate to where they are in their learning journey. All going well, this encourages a student-centred classroom, ideally with students doing most of the thinking and talking in class. We also explore other metaphors sometimes used by educators, such as racetrack, a dominant yet limited representation that fosters competition but fails to acknowledge the diverse needs of the learners within a typical class. Jennifer shares some ideas and practicalities of ‘inclusive prosperity' with every student prospering and thriving, and every voice being valued and honoured; learning to value all the voices. We also chat about Jennifer's first book, ‘The Global Education Guidebook' which seeks to humanise K-12 classrooms worldwide through equitable partnerships. Jennifer offers insights into the intersection of writing, improving education and encouraging students to increase their influence and positive impact on the world. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdeborahklein/ https://www.principledlearning.org/ https://www.principledlearning.org/the-landscape-model-of-learning https://www.principledlearning.org/the-global-education-guidebook

Today my guest is Vanessa Hamilton, a Sexual Health Nurse, Educator & Author. In this episode we chat about Vanessa's professional experience as a nurse and her various roles delivering professional development and educational workshops to a wide range of audiences including doctors, healthcare workers, teachers, and parents. Vanessa brings her experiences from human sexuality and reproductive nursing to outline that sex is much more than just the physical act or being male and female; it's about relationships, respect, diversity, reproduction, consent, pleasure, health and sexuality. Vanessa believes that teaching young people about sex and sexuality needs to be age-appropriate, ongoing and use suitable language. Significantly, it doesn't have to be uncomfortable. On this point, we talk about how parents and teachers might engage in everyday conversations with young people about human sexuality, and other ideas outlined in her new book ‘Talking Sex: A conversation guide for parents'. Just so you're informed, as you might have guessed by now, we chat about potentially confronting topics, including those associated with child sexual abuse rates and sexual violence, as well as other less-confronting topics like pleasure, consent, and abstinence. Even the clitoris, the familiar bulb-shaped yet often misrepresented female organ, it's sole function - pleasure, gets a mention. We explore how the word itself – sex – can often present challenges and obstacles when having conversations. We chat about some of the recurring parental concerns, often coming from a social context of fear, shame, negativity, hushed tones, and the idea that ‘this is unspeakable, and we don't talk about it' often associated with this topic. Vanessa shares insights into her writing process and how she manages the potential overwhelm of information in this territory. Vanessa believes human sexuality is at the heart of being human, that young people deserve a better outcome through life, and how this can be addressed with education - at home and in the classroom. That is, getting good information about sex, sexuality, respectful relationships and consent to be healthy, happy and well. Here's my conversation with Vanessa Hamilton. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-hamilton-943495102/ https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/ https://ambapress.com.au/products/talking-sex

Today my guest is Mark Bennett, a Teacher, Educational Leader & Instructional Coach. In this episode, we find out about the role of coaching and conversations in educational leadership and teacher professional development. Mark reflects on how he and other teachers adjusted and responded during the pandemic, and the lessons learned in terms of teaching, learning, education design, and how teachers relate to each other. Mark also reflects on the value of teachers collaborating and becoming learners again, to quickly solve problems or when there are opportunities for deeper and more considered responses including those leading to new thinking, change and growth. We explore the often-central role of teacher-expertise and its relationship to alternative approaches to teaching, learning, and teaching professional development. We chat about the profound simplicity and power of a conversation, the significance of simply being present. Mark believes that the best thing we can do for each other is to be conscious in our conversations, whether they be in the form of a corridor chat, a quick knock on the door, or a more planned event. Underlying all meaningful conversation is the idea that ‘I have time for you, and I want to hear what you have to say'. We chat about the deceptively simple day-to-day skills and non-verbal gestures—such as closing a laptop lid—as a signal you're ready to create a space for listening and engagement. Mark outlines the value of noticing your own and another person's responses and experiences during a conversation, such as excitement, nervousness, a frown, or a smile. Finally, Mark talks about the profound role of conversation in shaping a school culture and beyond. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbennettcoach/

Today my guest is Kath Bicknell, a researcher, educator, and content creator. Kath's academic work relates to performance studies, cognitive science, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, cultural studies, and sports science. In this episode, we explore learning about learning and Kath's research activities on collaborative embodied performance and her recent collaboration with sports sociologist Kristina Brümmer. Within the cyclical process of success and failure, they asked the question: How is failure built into learning systems? Using participatory ethnographic research methods, with no official goal, but looking out for what might emerge, the team enrolled in handstand classes at a circus school to learn some new skills requiring them to coordinate hips, arms, torso and legs. Along the way the team documented their experiences and perceptions as they learned new skills, eventually publishing their findings as a book chapter. Kath shares insights into skill theory and how people generally improve when acquiring new skills. Until they don't. We chat about elephants and handstands, failure, and flailing during their time at the circus school. (The elephant acted as a handy metaphor for communicating about failure.) We explore how people typically recover after the inevitable ‘dips and blips' of failure and how they develop ‘a feel' for correcting one's technique. We also chat about the role of emotion regulation and the benefits of keeping the learner in a lighter headspace to support the learning process. Kath reflects on the positives of failure, the value of supporting students and colleagues to fail, the benefits of having freedom to experiment and take risks, and to build in techniques related to coping and bouncing back. Links: https://kathbicknell.com/ https://intelligentaction.cc/

Today my guest is Declan Neil Fernandez, a film enthusiast and author. In this episode, we find out about Declan's avid long-term interest in film, especially physical media – that is, VHS tapes, DVDs, laserdiscs, and Blurays. In our conversation we explore Declan's ten-year writing journey which resulted in the published book, ‘Horrible and Fascinating – John Boorman's Exorcist II: The Heretic'. The book seeks to answer many of the questions associated with the unique, compelling, and infamous film, ‘Exorcist II: The Heretic'. Released in 1977, the film was a much-anticipated sequel to the most popular and successful horror film ever made, ‘The Exorcist'. The sequel was inspired by profound philosophical concepts popular in 1970s culture, related to new age consciousness, spirituality, and human evolution. Unfortunately, all of this was lost in the confusion. The film is often described as one of the worst ever made. On a fact-finding mission, Declan asked the question: How did it happen? Declan offers insights into his writing process as we chat about the background, context, and dynamics of the film, with discussions around the Hollywood film industry in the mid 1970s, Warner Bros studio, director John Boorman, and other aspects of the ill-fated production. Declan shares some of the reasons why he decided to venture into this unexpected and curious cultural territory, on an intriguing, personal mission to solve a mystery. Links: ‘Horrible and Fascinating – John Boorman's Exorcist II: The Heretic' https://bearmanor-digital.myshopify.com/products/horrible-and-fascinating-john-boormans-exorcist-ii-the-heretic-paperback?_pos=2&_sid=3ea20d3d7&_ss=r https://www.instagram.com/the_man_who_fell_to_perth/

Today my guests are Trudy Ambler and Puspha Sinnayah, both Teachers and Educational Researchers. In this episode, Trudy and Puspha reflect on their earlier studies and teaching experiences, leading up to their more recent research activities. We chat about their latest article ‘Reviewing the literature: Collaborative professional learning for academics in higher education'. We explore the value of scrutinising the existing research and literature alongside the practice of peer observation and learning circles, with both elements working in tandem. Trudy and Puspha outline the use of informal feedback within various activities as part of a continual process of learning. Approaches like observing colleagues, mentoring, follow-up discussions within small groups of peers, communities of practice within departments and faculties, and various other strategies that they are embedded into everyday practice that can be used by teachers and academics in universities as well as in other educational sectors. Underpinned by the academic literature, these models move away from a formal judgement, review, and evaluation of one's teaching process. Instead, they provide teachers an opportunity to share and critique ideas and to learn from each other in order to, in turn, support their own students' learning. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudy-ambler-56a302115/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/puspha-sinnayah-09636356/ ‘Reviewing the literature: Collaborative professional learning for academics in higher education' https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14703297.2023.2227614

Today my guest is Dr Joanne Casey, a Research Practitioner and Author. In this episode, Joanne reflects on her experiences as a classroom teacher working in three sectors of education - Government, Catholic and Independent - and trying to make sense of the decisions being made in schools, and their potential impact on students. We also explore Joanne's further professional work and her PhD based around classroom teaching, leadership and teacher professional learning. In her research, Joanne made use of the collective wisdom found in schools as she talked to teachers and leaders and collected evidence of teachers connecting and collaborating with colleagues and students. The research uncovered a range of similar issues across various school contexts: a lack of time, ever-increasing complexity of tasks, and teachers generally feeling undervalued and overwhelmed. Her findings led to the recently published book, “Leading with the Social Brain in Mind: Cognition, Complexity and Collaboration in Schools”. Joanne shares insights into the cognitive load of both teachers and school leaders in their day-to-day tasks and how this often relates to time, place, and space within a school workday. We chat about current school organisational structures that might be based on outdated models, and what some leaders ask of teachers not always being reasonable. We also explore silos, that is, a psychological workplace construct that usually ends up blocking communication and stops getting things done. With an acknowledgment that relationships are at the heart of schools, Joanne offers some research-informed practical strategies to better navigate these complex systems in order to support change and improvement in schools. Links: https://jmceducation.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-casey-panoramicleadership/ https://ambapress.com.au/products/leading-with-the-social-brain-in-mind

Today my guest is Julie McCrossin, a Broadcaster and Cancer Ambassador. In this episode, Julie reflects on her studies in arts, education and law, and experiences working in educational theatre with disadvantaged and isolated schools. Julie reflects on her role as a national radio broadcaster, that is, talking for a living, getting other people talking, and helping them to discuss a range of important and complex topics. We also chat about Julie's experiences as a cancer patient, and how her instinctive and self-directed response to a persistent sore throat led to a visit to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist, with diagnosis and treatment of stage four, HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer (that is, tonsils, tongue and throat) about ten years ago. Julie offers insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from cancer including the psychological impacts, side effects, and the significance of social support. We discuss the impact of human connection —with friends, family, fellow patients, and medical practitioners—and the profound human energy that's unleashed when a few people gather for a common purpose, such as when support group members meet. Julie also shares insights into health literacy, her role as a cancer ambassador and her collaborations with medical practitioners. We explore the value of personal stories and their role in illustrating lived experiences, educating the public and improving healthcare systems. Finally, Julie offers very practical advice related to trusting your instincts, getting a second opinion, and following up with reliable information online. Julie offers comfort, optimism, hope and empathy. Links: https://www.juliemccrossin.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-mccrossin-am-28190529/ https://twitter.com/JulieMcCrossin https://www.targetingcancer.com.au/ https://trog.com.au/ https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts https://www.headandneckcancer.org.au/

Today my guest is Mark Boulet, a Sustainability Educator and Behavioural Researcher, working at BehaviourWorks Australia at Monash University. Mark reflects on his early interest, study, and work related to zoology, animals, and wildlife which led to further interest and activities in environmental and sustainability community education. Mark offers insights into his teaching approach, which emphasises active and dynamic student-led pedagogies. In relation to his research activities, Mark outlines how, to tackle a complex problem and create change, it's often best to start with human behaviour, and to look for relevant influencers, motivators, biases, and other factors that might encourage, or stop, people from acting. Mark outlines how he and his colleagues design their behaviour change programs - in collaboration with government, not-for-profit, business, and other groups - to solve environmental problems and challenges. We explore how the research team use human psychology and behaviour change to reduce household food waste by taking the time to understand behaviour from another person's perspective. Finally, we explore some straight-forward strategies in this territory, such as the recently launched “Use It Up” tape by OzHarvest, and simply looking in your fridge before you go to the shops, writing yourself a shopping list and sticking to it. Mark's aims are to ensure we, as a society, have processes in place for a healthy and sustainable future. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-boulet-78a65846/ https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ https://www.ozharvest.org/ https://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/

Today my guest is Dr M David Merrill, an Instructional Researcher and professor emeritus at Utah State University. David has been engaged in the study of effective, efficient and engaging instruction for more than 50 years. In this episode, we chat about David's early studies and research, including his PhD at the University of Illinois in 1964. We chat about David's additional research activities throughout his extensive career, partly inspired by fellow educational researchers B.F. Skinner and Robert Gagné. David outlines the central role of problems and, more significantly, problem-solving in instruction and how this relates to content, steps and procedures, comprehending processes and responding to conditions. We explore a simple yet profound metaphor of drawing a picture with just three coloured crayons: red, yellow and blue, as the inspiration for his approach to designing effective instruction. David offers insights into his first principles of instruction: telling information, showing examples, asking people to remember information, and finally, taking that information and applying it to solve a problem. Finally, we chat about alternative representations of knowledge and content in an era of advanced technology and artificial intelligence, such as simulations, as well as some of the other future possibilities of instructional design. Links: mdavidmerrill.com https://mdavidmerrill.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/firstprinciplesbymerrill.pdf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._David_Merrill

This is a special micro episode - Chatting with Mark - where I catch up with a previous guest about a topic that's captured their attention. This episode was recorded in April 2023, when I chatted with Amber Boardman about her creative art practice during the past few years. We also chat about Amber's experiences and perspectives on teaching art online during the pandemic, as well as teaching and learning that favour a theory-based or conceptual approach vs those focused on studio techniques. We explored the process and benefits of social learning in the form of artist dialogues, one-on-one studio visits and mentoring. We end with a brief discussion about Artificial Intelligence and its potential impact on visual art marking. Links: https://www.amberboardman.com/ https://www.instagram.com/amberboardman/ https://www.facebook.com/amberboardman https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberboardman/

Today my guest is Tanya Natalie, a second-hand bookseller, a professional editor, and an occasional writer. In this episode, we chat about reading, editing and writing, and the value of books. Tanya shares her love and enthusiasm for books, with insights into some of her favourites that have resonated and made an impact. We explore Tanya's studies in English literature and associated subjects, and her further studies in book editing and publishing. Tanya offers insights into the various stages of the typical editing process, beginning with manuscript critiques for extensive big-picture notes on enhancing and improving a manuscript, then the word-by-word and line-by-line copy editing for consistency, accuracy, clarity, and to check for spelling, grammar, punctuation and continuity errors, followed by proofreading—incorporating suggestions, a second and final edit, and preparing the manuscript for publishing. We find out more about Tanya's current writing projects, including a memoir incorporating various perspectives on bipolar from family, friends and psychologists, and a children's educational project exploring the Arctic and Antarctic regions and the impact of climate change, for Upschool.co. We also learn how her bookshop adapted to remain viable in response to the global pandemic, by curating hand-picked and home-delivered “personality-based book bundles”. Throughout our conversation, Tanya encourages the practical enjoyment of reading and writing, and her enduring love of books. Links: https://tanyanatalie.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyanatalie/ https://www.thebookplate.com.au/ Social Media: Facebook & Instagram @the_bookplate https://www.instagram.com/the_bookplate/ https://www.facebook.com/thebookplate @tanyaeditsbooks https://www.instagram.com/tanyaeditsbooks/ https://www.facebook.com/tanyaeditsbooks @tanwritesbooks https://www.instagram.com/tanwritesbooks/ https://www.facebook.com/tanyawritesbooks

In this episode, we find out about alternative approaches to teaching mathematics. We explore how learning can be encouraged through spontaneous or planned conversations and by asking questions that drive discussions and the exchange of information.  Alex outlines how an entire class might approach a single maths problem, with students invited to share their strategies for solving the problem with the group. As guided by the teacher, the students' strategies are further discussed, explored, and critiqued to support mathematical understandings. Alex explains some of the inbuilt nuances to these approaches, such as allocated “think time”, collaborative conversations (also called number talks) and strategies that invite reasoning, thinking, curiosity and creativity. Exploring these more social approaches to mathematics education, we dive right in and enjoyably explore a short, worked example: the experience of adding two numbers followed by sharing and further discussion on my strategy.  We chat about student enthusiasm for maths and the realities of everyday number anxiety. Alex offers insights into the ongoing conversation points of teaching maths, such as explicit instruction and inquiry-based, social, collaborative and integrated approaches to teaching and learning, and the importance of finding an ideal balance of these approaches and strategies.  Alex talks about her ongoing research and the emerging global maths and play movement, which encourages the value of mathematics in school and everyday society. Links: twitter.com/HumanEd_Au  https://www.alexbox.com.au/  https://mathsplay.org/ https://www.youcubed.org/ https://www.wiley.com/en-au/Mindset+Mathematics-c-5161 https://www.mathsteachercircles.org/

You're listening to Perspectives in Parryville. I'm particularly excited because this a milestone episode—number 50—with a slightly longer duration because it features two guests, both with interesting, interwoven personal insights and stories to share. So, today my guests are Effy Alexakis, a Documentary Photographer & Leonard Janiszewski, a Socio-cultural Historian. In this episode we find out about Effy and Leonard's collaborations in researching the Greek-Australian historical and contemporary presence in both Australia and internationally. Effy and Leonard recount how they have taken their camera and tape recorder, paper and pen to respectfully and honestly capture the human faces and authentic, personal stories that gave Australian popular culture some memorable expressions. We learn about cultural developments as diverse as transforming American soda fountains into local Australian cafes and milk bars, through to connections with Indigenous Australians resulting in barramundi being introduced onto the menu for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. We explore the often complex social inter-relationships that might be found just beneath the surface of such stories, then chat further about the significance, value, and associated archival complexities of socio-cultural documentation. Effy and Leonard reflect on the significance of recording a diversity of opinions and experiences that capture ideas and wonder, music and architecture, society and history, food, fantasy, and culture, memory and identity. Life itself, really, as past, present and future. Links: https://cafesandmilkbars.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/effy-alexakis-41124832/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonard-janiszewski-3b352720/ With lots (!) more links below: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318521752_In_their_own_image_Greek-Australians_NationalProject https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/the-history-of-the-milk-bar-20160617-4gno1.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pvYvAVXNcE https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/leonard-janiszewski-with-the-story-of-australias-greek-cafes-and/7788740 https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/news/food-news/counter-culture-2770 https://neoskosmos.com/en/2022/03/25/features/greek-australian-experience-as-a-forty-year-photo-chronicle-by-effy-alexakis/ https://www.sbs.com.au/language/greek/en/podcast-episode/effy-alexakis-new-photo-exhibition-survey/qgmlxpjxv https://www.ekathimerini.com/society/diaspora/259616/a-visual-history-of-greek-australians/ https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/parramatta-roads-olympia-milk-bar-forced-to-shut-its-doors-20171124-gzso7c https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2104/ha090013 https://oralhistoryaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012_journal_full.pdf https://studylib.net/doc/8433484/in-her-own-image--greek-australian-women-beyond-the-stere... https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/world-s-first-milk-bar-leaves-sour-taste-in-downtown-sydney-20221014-p5bpvi.html https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/greekaustralians-olympia-cafe-in-stanmore-one-of-the-last-original-milk-bars-20160606-gpct88.html https://neoskosmos.com/en/2020/12/01/news/community/honouring-the-photographer-who-popularised-greek-australian-history/ https://www.sbs.com.au/language/greek/en/podcast-episode/effy-alexakis-a-symposium-celebrating-the-work-of-the-greek-australian-photographer/vhptewiez https://tracesmagazine.com.au/2014/04/dream-merchants-australias-greek-cafes-2/

Today my guest is Eva Amores, an Author & Designer. Along the way, we refer to a few visuals, so you might like to explore the links in the show notes so you can view the designs as you listen. In this episode, in the atmosphere of a busy outdoor cafe, we ask the question: Have you ever had a bad week? We find out about Eva's background and enthusiasm for arts and design and working in various professional roles. We chat about design processes and how they can be used to answer a question or to serve a function or purpose. We also talk about Eva's junior fiction book series Worse Week Ever, the humorous story of an ordinary boy forced to engage and deal with a series of extraordinary, unexpected, and sometimes unpleasant events. Through the various challenges creatively explored in the books, the main character is supported and encouraged by his social connections to keep going, which, in turn, strengthens his resilience. The book series, a positive and creative response developed during the global pandemic, is a creative collaboration with co-author, illustrator, and Eva's husband Matt Cosgrove. We explore Eva and Matt's design and writing approaches and how they often use real-life experiences as a starting point for storytelling. These ideas are then suitably exaggerated and amplified. Eva explains how using a comic art format, combining illustrations and text within strategically paced storylines, helps to engage audiences and encourage reluctant readers. Links: A few pages from Worst Week Ever: https://www.instagram.com/p/CoOydeeLc0w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Eva's links: https://www.instagram.com/eva.amores/ https://twitter.com/evajanetamores https://www.tiktok.com/@eva.amores https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7iqZ9tt77aWSnjGGFU7Xaw/videos https://linktr.ee/evaamores?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=07a4ccef-d56a-47da-89a5-0e803ccbb4cd Transcript: https://pastebin.com/Lg4Pmg4X

This is a special micro episode - Chatting with Mark - where I catch up with a previous guest about a topic that's captured their attention. This episode was recorded in December 2022, when I chatted with Leon Furze about Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning. We explored some of the potential advantages and opportunities, along with some of the complexities around assessments and the ethics of use. https://leonfurze.com/

This is a special micro episode - Chatting with Mark - where I catch up with a previous guest about a topic that's captured their attention. This episode was recorded in December 2022, when I chatted with Steven Kolber about Artificial Intelligence in education. We explored some of the potential risks of this type of technology, including the curious notion of teaching a class without a teacher, and some of the associated geo-political, quality, and critical evaluation issues. https://stevenkolber.substack.com/

Today my guest is Stefan Popenici, an Academic & Educational Researcher. In this episode we find out more about Stefan's early studies and learning in educational psychology including the cultural and educational value of folk tales and mythology. We also chat about the intriguing and emerging phenomenon of Artificial Intelligent (AI), and its implications for education. We explore Stefan's recent research publication, a book called Artificial Intelligence and Learning Futures: Critical Narratives of Technology and Imagination in Higher Education. As part of this, we discuss the concept of intelligence and how information might be closely linked to, but might also quite disconnected from, meaning and understanding. We chat about the role of assessment, as well as some of the contexts in which AI might be used, the ideologies that inform and influence these technologies, and with this, some of the associated risks, possibilities, and opportunities. Of course, central to our conversation is the importance and value of human factors. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/popenici/ https://popenici.org/ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0323-2945 https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003266563/artificial-intelligence-learning-futures-stefan-popenici

Today my guest is Matthew Phillips, a Media Producer. Matthew shares memories of growing up along the coast of tropical North Queensland and his early enthusiasm for cameras, photography, boats, and sailing. Matthew reflects on his diverse range of professional experiences and roles working as an apprentice Sailmaker, a Soldier in the Australian Regular Army posted on peace-keeping exercises in Namibia, north-west Africa, as a police officer, and more recently as a media producer and film-maker. Matthew outlines his most recent role as Producer of “The Wild One”, a micro-budget short film currently in final post-production, set on the North Queensland coast in the mid-1800s. The film tells the story of British shipwrecked sailor James Morrill rescued by the Indigenous Birri Gubba people, with whom he lived for 17 years before reconnecting with European culture. Matthew outlines some of the practicalities of producing a short film, with insights into to protocols and on-the-ground interactions with local Indigenous people relating to actors, approvals, locations, and crew, as well as content, language and translations to ensure story accuracy and authenticity. Matthew emphasises the importance of engaging with the broader understanding of historical events, such as actively exploring Indigenous perspectives and points of view when expressing history on the screen. Matthew offers further insights into the importance of trust, connection to the land and to people, and the creative and practical dynamics between a Director and Producer. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-phillips-745b5138/ https://triggermediapro.com.au/ https://twitter.com/triggermediapro THE WILD ONE Trailer (2022) True Survival Story https://youtu.be/cib3UECU3cY https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-03/james-morrill-film-focuses-indigenous-rights/101030328?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

Today my guest is Greg Cregan, a Ceramic Potter. This episode is very much grounded and down-to-earth. Of course, you might like to explore the links in the show notes for visual reference as we explore ceramics, clay, and creating decorative ceramics in a potter's studio. Greg reflects on his early interest in art and drawing which eventually led him to explore working with clay and the potter's wheel. We explore the process of creating decorative clay pots and other objects, from selecting a lump of clay, and shaping it on a potter's wheel then preparing it for firing. Greg emphasises the nuance and significance of touch and feel in relation to balancing and shaping the spinning clay. Greg offers insights into the ancient and specialist technique of saggar firing, where various materials, as diverse as metal wire, salt, wood, oxides and seaweed, are kept close to the surface of the pots as they are fired in a kiln. When heated at a very high temperature, the essence of the materials, in the form of smoke and fumes, work their alchemical magic to transform the surface of the clay and create unique and compelling shapes, patterns, and textures. Greg offers personal insights into his art-making process, including the affect of shaping, releasing, and then sharing the profound beauty hidden within the clay. Links: https://www.instagram.com/gregcreganceramics/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/tv/ClfoYoJBXLy/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Today my guest is Brett Salakas, a Teacher, Speaker, Poet, & Author. In this episode, we learn about Brett's background as a primary school teacher in Australia and South East Asia. We find out more about Brett's new book, A Mammoth Lesson: Teaching In The Digital Age. Brett shares insights into how he created this fictional story and its central use of metaphor to communicate ideas. Brett also reflects on why he wrote this book, recounting some of his professional and personal experiences and insights that got him moving with his writing process about ten years ago. We learn more about Brett's central aim of supporting teachers to teach and learn in the digital age. Brett outlines the opportunities introduced with digital technology and the value of online connections, community, and conversation, such as those embodied by the group #aussieED, the largest online network of teachers in Australia. Brett emphasises the lesson in the metaphor, that is, the crossroads on which educators find themselves and the significance of core principles in addressing the challenges that prepare students to adapt and develop new skills, tools and approaches in a changing world.   Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-salakas-13380999/ https://twitter.com/MRsalakas A Mammoth Lesson: Teaching In The Digital Age https://amzn.asia/d/cay6uIs https://twitter.com/aussieEDchat

In this episode, we explore the wellbeing of teachers and educators. Amy offers insights into her many years as a classroom teacher before her post-graduate studies in human behaviour, coaching, positive psychology, and wellbeing. We also chat about Amy's new book, Teacher Wellbeing. We look beneath the surface of teaching including the job demands, habits, systems, structures, processes, and school culture. We chat about tiredness, occupational stress, emotions such as shame, expectations teachers often place on themselves, and burnout. Amy reflects on her writing and development process, drawing on her own experiences and stories, as well as additional psychology science and research. Amy outlines the potential trap of surface-level self-care activities and the pursuit of happiness which, as positive as they are, might involve a relatively superficial approach - simply ticking items off a list. This is in contrast to the more considered and long-term approach of psychological wellbeing, an approach that seeks to identify and tackle the root cause of the issues such as workload, workplace systems or workplace relationships. Amy explains how she works closely with teachers to find out what might be causing stress and overwhelm. For example, systems that aren't working, or systems that don't exist and need to. We explore Individual and collective responsibilities of teacher wellbeing and the significance of self-efficacy, that is, the belief that an individual can have an impact and can make a difference. We find out how this then relates to collective efficacy and the value of a positive and supportive school-wide culture. Amy's clarifies her aim of creating happier and healthier school environments that teachers want to be a part of in the long term. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygreen/ https://www.thewellnessstrategy.com.au/ https://ambapress.com.au/products/teacher-wellbeing https://twitter.com/amygreen_

Today my guest is Cameron Malcher, a Teacher and Podcast Producer. In this episode, we explore Cameron's driving curiosity and passion for teaching, education and communication, and his love of storytelling, drama, and community. Cameron reflects on his post-graduate studies in educational psychology, including the ways our minds construct knowledge by combining social, emotional, and cognitive processes. We find out about drama-based pedagogies and how these can support students to explore different perspectives and strengthen their critical thinking and analytical skills. We explore teaching as a multifaceted and contextually dependent practice that benefits from continuous and multiple perspectives, and how these often help teachers frame their thinking and practice. Cameron provides insights into his podcast, Teachers' Education Review (TER), which seeks to bridge the gap between education research, policy, and practice in an ongoing conversation with various voices and points of view. The podcast features topical education policy analysis and opinions, as well as interviews with educational researchers, policy experts, academics, leaders, teachers, and other practitioners. We find out how Cameron brings ideas to people, helps teachers get a sense of how they connect with the teaching profession and encourages further thinking and activity on improving educational standards. We also talk about the inherently political nature of education, the value of public discourse, and why it's important to maintain a public space for discussion and critical analysis of education policy. Cameron encapsulates his work in education in a simple philosophy that relates to understanding yourself, encouraging a teacher's voice, and then being able to advocate for yourself and others from an informed position. Links: https://terpodcast.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-malcher-b5103586/ https://twitter.com/Capitan_Typo

Today my guest is Tom Mahoney, a Teacher and Educational Researcher. In this episode, we explore Tom's diverse teaching roles related to both Mathematics and Psychology. Tom recounts his previous studies as background to his current PhD research aims which relate to reflexivity and how teachers perceive themselves. Tom seeks to understand the different values and beliefs, ideologies, and philosophies that teachers bring to the classroom, where these might have originated, and how this might, in turn, influence their teaching role. We chat about the various factors that influence classroom dynamics including trust, power, reflection, and teacher agency. Tom reflects on dominant ideologies, standardised - or cookie-cutter - classroom approaches, belief systems that see education as a service, addressing individual and collective student needs, and the role of teachers in making professional judgements in their own classroom contexts. Tom offers some deeper considerations related to the broader and more holistic purpose of teaching within social and collective educational systems. Links: https://tommahoneyedu.wordpress.com/ https://twitter.com/TomMahoneyEdu

Today my guest is Jonathan McGuire, a Data Analyst & Evaluator. In this episode, we explore data and statistics and how these are typically gathered, analysed, evaluated, and communicated across various fields including psychology, public health, business and education. Jonathan shares some of this early study and research activities - such as those involving honey bees, their foraging behaviour and how they learn - through to later research in human moral cognition, or how people make moral decisions and judgements. Jonathan offers insights into a range of professional practices and approaches in the field of data analytics, such as statistical models, hierarchical linear modelling, business intelligence, the scientist/practitioner model, adaptive clinical trials and structured feedback loops. Jonathan talks us through some of his evaluation activities and how his team investigated a “compressed curriculum” for high school students, evaluating its impact on Higher School Certificate (HSC) results and a range of other more subjective areas such as teacher and student beliefs and attitudes, and other school-level effects. Mindful that data is often about real people and situations, such as data sets related to mental health and suicide, Jonathan offers insights into some of the moral and ethical elements. We explore some of the social responsibilities associated with data, and how these might be managed by generally treating the data and its communication with appropriate care and respect. For example: the increasing acknowledgement and use of collaboration and conversations with relevant research stakeholders. We explore how ethics relates to new and emerging technology such artificial intelligence and machine learning, algorithms and bias, and the importance of bringing members of the public along on the journey, so they get to realise the value of the data as well. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcguirejonathan/ Transcript: https://pastebin.com/WpAr1ug3

Today my guest is Tom Oliphant, a Teacher and Industrial Designer. In this episode, we explore the world of technology and its use in teaching and learning. Tom reflects on his early career as an Industrial Designer - developing prototypes for furniture, electrical appliances and other objects - before further study and his transition into teaching. Tom also reflects on the advances in technology over the past 20 or so years, and how these allow ideas to become reality across industries, and also for students and teachers within schools. We explore project-based approaches to teaching and learning and some of the engaging ways to incorporate digital technologies into the classroom, such as the use of robotics and drones. Tom shares stories of his students' robot bugs and other mechanical critters that formed part of a cross-curriculum art installation incorporating subject like Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, English and Creative Arts. Along the way, we also find out about the more human elements, such as students communicating, collaborating, critically thinking, managing projects, and generally being creative. Tom offers insights into virtual environments which allow students to engage with the programming and other valuable technical aspects, without the cost of physical robots or other equipment. We find out about some of the potential opportunities presented by the emerging and often abstract concept of Web 3.0, the idea of citizens owning their own data and identity, and how this might potentially fit in with schools and education in areas such as certifications, micro-credentials and blockchain technology. Tom encourages his students to engage with new and emerging technology to see its value and purpose and how it might relate to their own lives as they prepare for an ever-emerging future. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-oliphant/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web3 https://twitter.com/mroliphantadl

Today my guest is Christy Tucker, a Learning Experience Designer. In this episode, we explore the world of storytelling, technology, and the use of scenarios in teaching, learning and other educational situations. Christy reflects on her experiences as a high school music and band teacher, and her pathway to working as an instructional designer for adult learners. We chat about stories with multiple pathways, that is, non-linear narratives, and the many decisions a reader makes as they work their way through, for example, a “Choose your own adventure” book, shaping a unique story along the way. We explore how this approach is similar to the use of non-linear branching scenarios sometimes used in online workplace training. Christy shares some ideas on why she uses this engaging approach, how she plans the scenario content and then gets organised to manage often complex collections of content. We also explore the multiple decisions that learners need to make in order to travel through such a scenario, leading to many potential learner pathways. To manage the complexity of this, we explore Twine, an open-source tool for telling interactive, nonlinear stories. Christy also shares insights into the different approaches she uses when designing and developing learner feedback, such as intrinsic feedback as compared to instructional feedback, with both approaches having value within a training experience. We find out about the value and practical use of learner profiles and folio-based assessments that help students structure and organise their evidence. Finally, Christy offers a range of insights on a few fundamentals in this space, especially around well-written learning outcomes and the use of good writing. Links: https://www.christytuckerlearning.com/ https://twitter.com/christyatucker https://www.christytuckerlearning.com/build-a-branching-scenario-in-google-forms/ https://www.christytuckerlearning.com/twine-makes-branching-scenarios-easier/ http://twinery.org/

Today my guest is Enda Murray, a Media Producer & Director of the Irish Film Festival. The festival launches at the Chauvel cinema in Sydney on 25th August 2022, then travels to Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra on consecutive weekends, with online streaming options to follow. In this episode, we find out more about Enda's upbringing in Ireland and his university experiences in Dublin in the early 1980s. Enda reflects on his interest in working with musicians and entertainers to organise music gigs and festivals. Enda also shares his strong drive, interest, and experiences working with disadvantaged communities - in areas including social justice, and environmental activism - and the role played by film, video, and other community arts. We also find out more about the Irish Film Festival and telling Irish stories through film. Enda reflects on his early inspiration for creating the festival and getting a conversation to happen in Australia about Irish issues. We find out about the various day-to-day practical tasks of planning such a film festival, including interactions with film producers, directors, distributors, cinemas, and sponsors as well as responsive and ongoing coordination of the festival team, largely made up of community volunteers. Enda offers insights into the conventional film festival cinema experience, as well as the various the challenges and opportunities of increasingly popular online streaming options. We chat about the often complex issues related to Irish history, culture, and identity, especially within an Australian context. Enda reflects on the shared and universal experiences of a range of social groups: culturally and linguistically diverse, low socio-economic, Indigenous, ethnic minorities, migrants, and others. We explore the value of ethnic film festivals in providing an important community voice that helps to connect with culture, as well as facilitating broader connections, conversations and cultural exchange. Links: https://irishfilmfestival.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/enda-murray-48a9004/ http://virusmedia.com.au/ Transcript: https://pastebin.com/E8zk8NDa

Today my guest is Shaun Bell, a Learning Designer working in higher education. In this episode we find out more about Shaun's university studies related to both Education and Arts, and their experiences as a high school teacher. We discuss Shaun's post-graduate pathway, the completion of an honours thesis exploring the literary sub-genre of Australian magic realism. Shaun contrasts their own experiences as a generally disengaged high school student with the parameters and contexts typical of higher education where students usually have more freedom and autonomy to shape and determine their own pathway. We further explore how this greater learner autonomy in higher education might then relate to how educational programs and courses are designed, developed and delivered.  Shaun reflects on some of the practicalities of their university experience, including the various challenges of balancing work and study, the ideas that underpin the “first-in-family” concept, and the so-called hyphenated literatures embodied by their Greek/Australian identity - being neither one or the other, but something in between. We also explore some of Shaun's perspectives on cultural assumptions at university, especially those related to students who come from a background of privilege - as compared to those from low socio-economic status, or from diverse cultures, - and how this relates to a student's essential rights to knowledge, education and learning. Shaun outlines their day-to-day role as a Learning Designer and the practical tasks, challenges, and considerations ranging from technical troubleshooting and problem solving through to those involving creativity, flexibility, and using new ways of doing things to design a range of sustainable educational solutions. Shaun sees value in bringing a range of new perspectives and approaches to university systems in order to improve student experiences and outcomes. Shaun outlines some of his aims, as well as a range of tools, techniques, and strategies he uses when designing courses. Shaun draws on both established research and teaching skills in their approach, such as making explicit and coherent the skills, procedural knowledge and links between content so that students, especially novice learners, are well supported. Shaun offers insights into the “in-between” experiences with academics, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), students, and facilitators. Shaun outlines their approach when designing scenario-based solutions and interventions, such as those involving large amounts of reading and other required course content, and how they uses digital tools to address gaps and expand on opportunities for course improvement. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-bell1/ https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iZuu8oEAAAAJ&hl=en Transcript: https://pastebin.com/bLBJf8EL

Today my guest is Colin Simpson, an Education Innovation Designer with a background and expertise in education, video and multimedia production, and how technology is used in learning and teaching. In this episode we find out more about Colin's current PhD research related to higher education workplaces, systems and university culture. Colin explains his approach and methodology, informed by social practice theory - that is, understanding what makes up a practice, how that practice evolves and is disseminated, and how this is tied to one's professional identity. We explore a few specific job roles: Academic Developers - best represented in the published research in the field, Learning Designers - the largest part of the working population, and Educational Technologists - essentially the bridge between IT and teaching. Colin offers clarity on the fuzziness and overlap that often exists within and around these roles, as linked to an individual's professional identity. We also explore the shifting dynamics when working within a central team, in contrast to closer working relationships within, say, a specific faculty or department. Colin is especially interested in how these potentially liminal roles relate, connect, and overlap, offering opportunities for collaboration with others including Academics, Educational Advisors, and institutional leaders. Colin outlines his fundamental research aim of strengthening the contribution and meaningful impact of Educational Advisors, raising pedagogical standards, and improving equitable learning and teaching practice in higher education, with lessons that can learned across educational sectors. Here's my conversation with Colin Simpson. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-simpson-edtech/ https://www.screenface.net/ https://twitter.com/gamerlearner https://twitter.com/TELedvisors

Today my guest is Leon Furze, a Teacher Educator and Author. Leon is also the Director of Learning and Teaching at a regional Victorian high school. In this episode we explore Leon's early enthusiasm and connections to reading and literature, growing up in a lower socio-economic area of England. Leon reflects on some of the texts that influenced him along his journey studying English and American literature at university, and further study in becoming an English Teacher. We chat about Leon' latest book, Practical Reading Strategies: Engaging Activities for Secondary Students, which introduces teachers to what good readers do, and the ideas that underpin “reading for meaning.” We find out how teachers can support and guide students to make connections between the text and their own lived experiences, as well connections with the student's broader world. We explore a range of teaching strategies including visualisation and questioning, the value of empathising with the book's characters and stepping into their world, and how teachers can support their students to make inferences - that is, reading between the lines - as they engage more meaningfully with a text. We discover there's more to English assessment than the dreaded “death by comprehension questions” as Leon shares his thoughts on some alternative approaches, including his current collaboration with the University of Melbourne entitled New Metrics for Success. We find out about the value and practical use of learner profiles and folio-based assessments that help students structure and organise their evidence. Finally, Leon offers a range of insights on the significance of trust and teacher autonomy within education and assessment systems.

Today my guest is Carolyn Newall, an English Teacher and International Educator with an active involvement in digital technology, inequality and teacher professional development. In this episode we find out more about Carolyn's early observations and experiences in India, Singapore and Australia, especially those relating to racism, inequality, reading and literacy. Carolyn offers some personal and professional reflections on the lessons learned from quick adaptation and response by teachers during the pandemic and the lessons that might be applied in a post-pandemic world. We explore English literature and some fundamental English skills including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing and how students use literature, film and television, live texts, and other media as a vehicle for learning, skill development and for developing a deeper understanding of themes, such as racism. Carolyn enthusiastically offers insights and opinions on a range of current and emerging issues, from teacher comfort and competence in using digital technology, through to managing the “digital divide” observed in areas such as inadequate student access to the internet. We also chat about student neurodiversity, diverse approaches to knowing and learning, how to best support “out of field” English teachers, and fostering a respect for teachers, and for teaching as a profession. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-newall/?originalSubdomain=au https://www.weteachwell.com/ https://twitter.com/weteachwell https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-teach-well/

Today my guest is Donald H Taylor, an educator and researcher specialising in workplace learning and development (L&D). Donald has more than 30 years of experience across the globe, from English language teaching through to roles as director and vice-president of various software companies. In this episode Donald provides insights into the L&D Global Sentiment Survey, a survey he created over ten years ago to take the pulse of the global learning and development community. This one-minute survey attracts responses from thousands of respondents in over 80 countries, asking workplace trainers, facilitators and other professionals a single question: What will be hot in workplace learning and development this year? We explore approaches to survey scope and design, the data gathering processes and the final reporting. In our conversation, we find out some of the current trends including reskilling and upskilling, the use of data to inform L&D planning and practice, the recent spike in interest of collaborative and social learning, and preferred technologies, along with regional trends, such as a strong interest in collaboration in Sweden, and of micro learning in New Zealand. Links: https://donaldhtaylor.co.uk/

Today my guest is Dr Sharon Kerr, an educator and researcher specialising in inclusive curriculum for students with a disability utilising assistive technologies and the training of community service professionals. Sharon has had over 30 years experience working with students with a wide range of disabilities. She is widely recognised as having expertise in maximising student engagement for students with intellectual, sensory, learning, psychological and physical disabilities. In this episode we explore Sharon's work as General Manager at the Australian College of Disability and Community Services, a registered training organisation - RTO - focusing on professional development of teachers, support workers and other staff in the sector. We find out more about Sharon's background in social welfare, Japanese teaching as well as pioneering work in educational multimedia and elearning. We chat about Sharon's PhD research, White Questions - Black Answers,  designed to support Indigenous students with a disability in the Higher Education Sector. Sharon outlines her student support framework developed from this research, to be used by Universities, TAFEs and RTOs across Australia. Sharon offers insights into universal design, the use of assistive technology in education and the profound practicalities of leading with a heart of service. Links: https://www.acdcs.edu.au/ USYD Thesis: White Questions—Black Answers: Effective Inclusion of Indigenous Students with a Disability into Higher Education in Australia https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61USYD_INST/1c0ug48/alma991032238561205106 Video: Impact of accessible eBooks on learning outcomes of Indigenous students (Example of assistive technologies and universal design.)https://youtu.be/UWjFvaZpVco Article: Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching and learning in higher education https://telrp.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41039-017-0062-8 Transcript: https://pastebin.com/JD6PEBPN

Today my guest is Dr Michael Harvey, a Science Teacher from New Zealand. In this episode, Michael outlines aspects of New Zealand - or kiwi - culture, including Maori language. We also explore Michael's previous role as an industrial research Chemist and the evolution into his current role as a high school teacher. With a strong interest in how technology can transform teaching & learning, Michael offers insights into how digital tools and approaches might be incorporated into the classroom. We find out more about Michael's plans for using non-fungible tokens - or NFTs - as a way of acknowledging, recording and tracking students' achievements across a range of transferable, or “soft”, skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and communication. We also explore the value of Minecraft, the online virtual building and creating platform using storytelling, game mechanics and student agency, as well how these concepts can be applied in designing real-world classroom spaces that can contribute to how students interact with each other and increase student engagement and learning. Along with the technology, Michael also offers insights into the more human, relational aspects of teaching such as connecting with other teachers and students - both locally and across the globe. Links: https://theflippedscientist.blogspot.com/ https://wakelet.com/@Doctor_Harves https://twitter.com/Doctor_Harves https://linktr.ee/Doctor_harves

Today my guest is Lottie Dowling, a global educator specialising in languages, culture, digital technologies and teacher professional learning. Much of Lottie's work revolves around global citizenship, that is, how school students are increasingly interconnected with others across the world. This episode offers insights into some of Lottie's collaborative approaches and practices as she works with teachers to incorporate and strengthen various domains in their teaching practice: knowledge (that is, learning about the world), appreciating global perspectives and culture, and intercultural dialogue. Once these programs and initiatives are running, students might then take some sort of local action, with the aim of global impact. Lottie outlines some of the keys to success, including adequate resourcing, planning school curricula, and involving and engaging the community. We explore some of the more practical approaches that teachers might use in their local context, such as performing a school audit - of the library, or school garden - even the classroom wall and various aspects that extend beyond the classroom. Underpinned with diversity, equity, justice and inclusion, global citizenship can ideally involve all school staff - as well as parents and community - sharing their culture and supporting teachers to plan and implement local learning initiatives. Lottie emphasises the value of collaboration, co-creation and lifelong learning in a rapidly changing world. Links: https://twitter.com/LottieDowlingNZ https://meglanguages.com/ https://educ8.world/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lottie-dowling-628b5239/ Transcript: https://pastebin.com/30DBiJEB

Today my guest is Kat Montagu, a Screenwriter and Instructor. In this episode we find out more about the precise, nuanced territory of screenplays, or more specifically, screenplay formatting that is designed to ensure that a screenplay not only tells an engaging story but also communicates the more technical details used in film and television productions. Kat provides insights into some of the industry-informed processes of creative writing, including the specialist tasks of a script analyst and a story editor. Kat talks us through “The Dreaded Curse: Screenplay Formatting for Film & Television” an educational book that began life as a humble, yet purposeful class handout. With a creative and playful approach pitched specifically at a film-student audience, the book follows a “show, not tell” approach as its self-referencing ghosts and witches tackle their silly mistakes and find ways to improve their own emerging screenplay. In our conversation, we find out how to follow some of the fundamental rules of formatting a screenplay, for example, using particular grammar, punctuation, and fonts. Just for laughs, we reverse-engineer a typical sitcom script, discover the value of script structure and cliffhangers, and explore a few different ways to format dialog in a scripted phone conversation. Kat offers a range of useful insights, tips, advice and practical writing activities to guide and support emerging screen writers on the art of telling a delightful story. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-montagu/ https://www.threeoceanpress.com/all-titles/the-dreaded-curse https://vfs.edu/programs/writing https://twitter.com/kmontagu

Today my guest is Steven Kolber, Teacher, Writer & Researcher from Melbourne, Australia. Steven is one of 50 finalists in the Global Teacher Prize, 2021. In this episode we explore Steven's role as an English and Humanities teacher at a public, Government high school. We also find out how, driven by a fundamental enjoyment of learning, Steven works globally with technology, instructional video and assistive technology to promote education. In our conversation, we explore the education reading group #edureading where teachers read an academic research paper, then respond and discuss - via short Flipgrid videos and Twitter - its practical classroom application. Steven clarifies the distinction between academics and teachers, and the often complicated and nuanced dynamics and protocols of the educational research space. Steven offers insights into the fundamental aims of the edureading group: that is, to encourage teachers to use online spaces for their professional learning, and develop their confidence, skills and knowledge in educational research. This might then relate to other issues such as politics and context, power dynamics and respect, communication and flexibility of ideas, and teachers “talking back” to research. Steven hopes that once teachers have a greater interest, engagement and agency with educational research, their activities might extend into related areas such as education policy making and planning their own research projects, including writing up and sharing their findings with other educators. Links Steven's website  https://www.stevenkolber.com #edureading – Academic reading group  https://sites.google.com/view/educational-reading-group/home    Mr Kolber's Teaching  https://www.youtube.com/channel/mrkolbersteaching    Melbourne Teach Meet  https://sites.google.com/view/teachmeetmelbourne/home Transcript: https://pastebin.com/i2tGmKDF