Education – Views & Research – The Conversation

Toddler boy riding a tube slide.

Toddler boy riding a tube slide.

Should I let my kids down that tube slide? How to weigh the benefits with the risk of injury

Lisa Nicole Sharwood, UNSW and David Eager, University of Technology Sydney

Australia’s childcare safety changes are turning one. Are they working?

Daryl Higgins, Australian Catholic University

Children in safety vests walk to a playground.

Children in safety vests walk to a playground.

Less than one third of students who enrolled in fee-free TAFE since 2023 have completed courses. Is this a problem?

Garry Argent, Deakin University and Shaun Rawolle, Deakin University

Full length photo of female construction worker using tape measure while working.

Full length photo of female construction worker using tape measure while working.

A lifelike robot called ‘Sally’ was going to teach in a US school. It’s not as weird as it sounds

Louise Starkey, University of Tasmania and David Moltow, University of Tasmania

A illustration of a robot holding a pencil.

A illustration of a robot holding a pencil.

Thinking of posting pictures of your child online? Ask these 4 questions first

Lauri Parr, Curtin University

An adult takes a photo on a phone of a young child.

An adult takes a photo on a phone of a young child.

Year 12 and beyond

‘I struggled a lot with ATAR’: there’s another way high school students can qualify for a uni degree

Angela Jones, Edith Cowan University

A teenager sits at a desk. Her head is in her hands.

A teenager sits at a desk. Her head is in her hands.

We desperately need skilled workers. So why is vocational education treated as the ‘back-up plan’ for school leavers?

Kellie McGlynn, Deakin University and Shaun Rawolle, Deakin University

A young woman in hard hat and hi-vis vest stands on a building site.

A young woman in hard hat and hi-vis vest stands on a building site.

You don’t need an ATAR to go to uni. You can do an ‘enabling’ or ‘bridging’ course instead

Susan Hopkins, University of the Sunshine Coast and Gregory Nash, University of the Sunshine Coast

A young person wearing a lab coat looks in a microscope in a lab.

A young person wearing a lab coat looks in a microscope in a lab.

So your Year 12 student hasn’t decided what’s next. Here’s what to say – and what not to – about career planning

Brendon Hyndman, Charles Sturt University and Vaughan Cruickshank, University of Tasmania

A young person works at a desk under a lamp.

A young person works at a desk under a lamp.

Schools today

A teenage student puts their hand up to answer a teacher's question

A teenage student puts their hand up to answer a teacher's question

Teens want more advice about navigating consent but teachers’ sex ed skills are falling short

Jennifer Power, La Trobe University and Lily Moor, La Trobe University

NAPLAN results are coming home. Here’s what parents should keep in mind

Jessica Holloway, Australian Catholic University

A young boy in a blue shirt with other pupils sitting in classroom doing their school work.

A young boy in a blue shirt with other pupils sitting in classroom doing their school work.

Victorian teachers are striking again. Money alone won’t get them back to school

Marian Mahat, The University of Melbourne

A crowd marches at a protest. One sign reads, I'd rather be teaching but this is important'.

A crowd marches at a protest. One sign reads, I'd rather be teaching but this is important'.

How can Year 7 and 8 students make the most of their electives?

Donna Pendergast, Griffith University and Katherine Main, Griffith University

A low-angle view of a group of high school students working in pairs and small groups to make their own fresh pizza from scratch.

A low-angle view of a group of high school students working in pairs and small groups to make their own fresh pizza from scratch.

Thinking of accelerating a Year 12 subject? Here’s what to consider

Jae Yup Jung, UNSW

Confident high school student sitting an exam in a large hall.

Confident high school student sitting an exam in a large hall.

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Parenting and families

A thoughtful young girl talking with her mother on a bed.

A thoughtful young girl talking with her mother on a bed.

Rejection hurts. How to help kids and teens bounce back when they’ve missed out

Melanie J. Zimmer-Gembeck, Griffith University

Kids do feel the cold. So why won’t they wear a jumper?

Joshua Pate, University of Technology Sydney

A toddler in a nappy, t-shirt and gumboots jumps in a puddle.

A toddler in a nappy, t-shirt and gumboots jumps in a puddle.

How does parent-child interaction therapy work? And who can use it?

Shawna Mastro Campbell, Bond University; Melanie J. Zimmer-Gembeck, Griffith University, and Tanya Hawes, Griffith University

A mother watches her son play with a puzzle

A mother watches her son play with a puzzle

Four ways to help your teen (and yourself) spend more time away from devices

Danielle Einstein, Macquarie University

A teenage boy and his mother using smartphones and sitting on a couch.

A teenage boy and his mother using smartphones and sitting on a couch.

‘I hate you!’: what little kids really mean when they say this

Alison Fogarty, Deakin University; Grace McMahon, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and Monique Seymour, Deakin University

A small child in a coloured raincoat stands in a forest clearing and yells.

A small child in a coloured raincoat stands in a forest clearing and yells.

Early childhood

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander famuly sitting on ground, younger woman holding baby on lap, older woman smiling.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander famuly sitting on ground, younger woman holding baby on lap, older woman smiling.

How to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples benefit from newborn DNA screening

Gail Garvey, The University of Queensland and Sarah Norris, University of Sydney

Childcare workers have been guaranteed a pay bump. What’s the fine print?

Erin Harper, University of Sydney

Children in circle time with educators, engaging in a kindergarten classroom activity.

Children in circle time with educators, engaging in a kindergarten classroom activity.

Governments keep trying to make childcare safer. Could a new ‘national commission’ make a difference?

Erin Harper, University of Sydney and Marianne Fenech, University of Sydney

Three children sit on the floor and play with blocks.

Three children sit on the floor and play with blocks.

Higher education

Students walk in the grounds of a university campus. There are tall trees and brick buildings.

Students walk in the grounds of a university campus. There are tall trees and brick buildings.

Even the government agrees Job-ready Graduates has failed. Here’s what should replace it

Mark Warburton, The University of Melbourne

What boom in international students? The total number living in Australia is lower than before the pandemic

Peter Hurley, Victoria University; Melinda Hildebrandt, Victoria University, and Sarah Pilcher, Victoria University

Students are seen arriving at a university campus.

Students are seen arriving at a university campus.

Albanese will announce extension of ‘Paid Prac’ at Labor national conference

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

More than 50% of Australian university assignments used AI. How should unis respond?

Meena Jha, CQUniversity Australia and Amara Atif, University of Technology Sydney

High angle view of male professor assisting students studying at desk in a university library

High angle view of male professor assisting students studying at desk in a university library

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