A parent’s perspective
This extract is from the parent of a student participating in Aurora’s Aspiration Initiative. It gives unique insight into the true value of this incredible program and the impact it is having on students, family and community.
Facing a Fear by Franco
It was another average day for Wilfried Timmons. He was working at Footlocker helping another customer find some shoes that suited her.
Pioneering new measurement
Measuring the outcomes of alternative learning programs has yielded extraordinary data, thanks to an Australian Research Council (ARC) project grant, writes DR RICHARD O’DONOVAN.
Enabling spaces and flexible learning
An article written by the Building Futures’ team Richard O’Donovan and Naomi Berman, and the Dusseldorp Forum’s Ani Wierenga, has just been published in The International Journal of Inclusive Education.
Life of Learning – Indigenous science
WHEN Aboriginal elders approached Macquarie University 10 years ago, it marked the start of a unique collaboration, writes Erin Rozgonyi of the National Indigenous Science Education Progam (NISEP).
Riding the Alternative Learning Wave
When high school teacher Paul Sherman took over WAVE (Wirreanda Adaptive Vocational Education) five years ago it had 64 students. Today it has 134, and a growing reputation for engaging those who are drifting.
On the Art of Verbal Instruction by Dr Tyson Yunkaporta
Recently, a group of fourteen year old Koori students were interviewed at a TAI (The Aspiration Initiative) camp. TAI is an academic enrichment program for high-performing Indigenous students, and the interview was about effective pedagogy.
On the Disappearance of 2010 Education Visions by Dr Tyson Yunkaporta
The beginning of the first decade of the new millennium was an exciting time to be a teacher. The world was changing and a critical mass of people had embraced the possibilities of that change, particularly with regard to teaching and learning.
On the Non-existence of Hard and Soft Skills by Dr Tyson Yunkaporta
Contemporary education is grounded in a set of assumptions as profoundly flawed and outdated as flat-earth theory. These stem from the labelling of social knowledge as “soft skills” and academic knowledge as “hard skills”
On the Permanence of Emergency Responses by Dr Tyson Yunkaporta
Emergencies are so liberating – in a rush of power and adrenaline we leap into the fray, crush the evildoers and save the children. There are no complexities, relationships, protocols or even laws to be considered.
