FoE - Learning Intervention

Upcoming event:

⏰Down Syndrome Victoria is proud to present the Authentic Inclusion in Schools: 2026 Program – Down Syndrome VIC on Monday 2 March in Abbotsford, Melbourne.

🔬The conference will feature expert speakers, practical strategies, and resources to better understand Down syndrome and how students with intellectual disability can be supported in school and how to foster true inclusion.

🍿Topics include planning for a universally designed curriculum and how to implement effective behaviour support and you will also hear from young adults with Down syndrome.

🎓Tickets are available to students at a discounted rate.
We also offer conference recordings for purchase, so attendees can access the content at their convenience.

🔗More information and registration:

Authentic Inclusion in Schools: 2026 Program Authentic Inclusion in Schools 2026 will present a range of practical strategies from a series of leaders in the education […]

Pam Kastner is always great at summing up key takewaways
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17cY7Xgzd7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

This is a compelling article on Substack from Carl Hendrick about Artificial Intelligence. I am posting just a few of the statements that stuck with me.
Read it all here: https://carlhendrick.substack.com/p/the-algorithmic-turn-the-emerging

It is never too late to make a difference

www.kyreadingresearch.org

An opportunity to learn more about supporting diverse learners and how schools are making sustainable changes to practice!
More information about individual sessions use the tinyurl at the bottom of the picture!

An opportunity to come along to Sharing Best Practice Melbourne and hear a range of great presentations around sustainable change and implementation, case studies from schools and catering for all the learners in your classroom.

Providing access to literacy for all students

Every student deserves access to evidence-aligned reading instruction, including students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In this month’s sneak peek article in The Reading League Journal, “Where to Begin: Essential Knowledge for Educators About Reading Instruction and Supports for Students With IDD,” Drs. Esther R. Lindström and Jennifer Stewart outline five foundational areas that empower educators to deliver inclusive, effective literacy instruction:

✔️ What to teach
✔️ How to teach it
✔️ Examples of structured, practical lessons
✔️ Adaptations that support access
✔️ How to uphold expectations without compromising equity

🔗 Don’t miss this must-read to strengthen your commitment to literacy equity: https://hubs.la/Q03px0vd0

📬 Want more peer-reviewed insights like this delivered to you throughout the year? Subscribe to the Journal today: https://hubs.la/Q03px0GB0

Excited to share a new set of resources for school attendance. Working with AERO, we undertook rapid literature reviews examining factors pertaining to school attendance and evidence-based supports.

www.edresearch.edu.au

On Thursday 14 November, Dr. Matt Harrison, Dr. Sarah Timperley and Dr. Jessica Riordan hosted the first-ever University of Melbourne 'Celebrating Neurodiversity Research Symposium'.

Part of the Learning Intervention group, the Neurodiversity Project (UoMNP) is a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary initiative which aims to better support the neurodivergent community.

Over 20 researchers across the institution, many with lived experience, shared their neurodiversity-affirming research. Speakers came from almost every faculty and from all career stages.

The Symposium brought together neurodivergent staff, students, volunteers, as well as supporters from across the university and public.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell and Pro-Vice Chancellor Elaine Wong presented the closing and opening address. Prof Jim Watterson, Dean Faculty of Education also attended in support.

A selection of recordings from the Symposium will be available to watch on the UoMNP website: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/ovg8

Thank you to Matt, Sarah, Jess and the UoMNP community for hosting this interactive and compelling research event.

On Thursday 24 October, the Faculty of Education held the 2024 Education Research Conference at Arts West, Parkville campus.

Learning Intervention staff presented at the conference, sharing their research on a range of topics such as braille literacy, gaming as a tool for neurodiverse students, successful school attendance programs and creative arts for the middle years.

The closing panel featured A/Prof Jon Quach, Prof Kate Reynolds, Katrina Lawrence-Honeycombe and Dr. Cristina Guarrella. The panellists shared their experiences in education research and provided insights to the conference theme: ‘What makes research remarkable? Who and what matters?’.

Thank you to the Melbourne Education Research Institute (MERI) and the Faculty of Education for hosting this event and all researchers for presenting their research achievements and provoking conversations.

The University of Melbourne

Students from the University of Melbourne Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) 'Working with Groups' subject recently had the privilege of participating in a yarning circle led by Murrundindi, Head of the Wurundjeri people.

This powerful experience, which focused on the importance of deep listening, was described by many as life-changing. Our coursework introduces systemic approaches for supporting well-being, including group work skills for collaborating with families, students, and communities.

Thanks to Murrundindi for generously sharing his wisdom with us.

Image: M Psych Ed Dev students pictured with Murrundindi and Learning Intervention staff, Dr Chelsea Hyde and Dr Michelle Andrews Luke. Photo credit to Michelle.

The Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne

On Tuesday 15 October, Students enrolled in the Master of Psychology (Educational & Developmental) program presented their Master research at the FoE Educational and Developmental Psychology Research Conference.

Thirty students presented their research findings on a variety of topics, including learning difficulties, neurodiversity, cultural issues, gender, mental health and wellbeing, as well as teacher led programs and strategies.

Professor Jim Watterston, Dean of the Faculty of Education opened the conference and shared insights about his first job as a teacher in a rural Indigenous classroom in Western Australia, how he felt under-skilled with respect to working with students with learning difficulties and changes in the education landscape during his 40-year career.

Congratulations to all students for their work and dedication! Thanks to all current and past research supervisors at the Faculty of Education at University of Melbourne. Without their support, help and expertise, our students would not be able to achieve such terrific and worthy research outcomes.

Learn more about the conference and the students research presentations on the new Learning Intervention website: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/hbg8