Australian classrooms are getting a ‘digital detox’ – what does this mean for schools and students?
GettyImages Rawpixel/Getty Images The federal government is pushing for a “digital detox” in schools. In a new report, it outlines growing concerns about the use of digital technologies in classrooms. This includes concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) harming children’s critical thinking, concentration and problem-solving skills. The government now plans to reduce the time students spend […]
How to say ‘no’ to your child – and stick to it
Patrick Fore/Unsplash “No” may be one of the hardest words for parents to say to a young child. No, we’re not buying that. No, you can’t have my phone. Many parents dread the tears, arguments or tantrums that can follow when a toddler or preschooler is denied something they want. But what if a being […]
72% of students say they procrastinate. Here’s how to stay on track
Phynart Studio/Getty Images As a high school or uni student, you might sometimes find yourself putting off study to do other tasks even when an important assessment deadline or exam is looming over you. This can look like doom-scrolling, texting friends, or checking emails for the seventh time. You might even turn to tasks you […]
Knocking on strangers’ doors? How to help your kids have a safe Halloween
Yuting Gao/ Pexels For most of the year, parents teach children not to talk to strangers, not to accept things from people they don’t know, and to take care when crossing the road. Then Halloween arrives, and suddenly we’re knocking on strangers’ doors, accepting handfuls of lollies from them and wandering the streets after dark. […]
Halloween is typically a massive lolly fest for kids – but it doesn’t have to be
Elizabeth Iris/ Pexels Halloween can be a massive lolly fest. Children come home from trick-or-treating ready to dig into a sackful of lollies and chocolate bars. This is enormous fun on paper. But it can also be stressful as parents navigate how many lollies are OK amid kids’ excitement. Here are some ways to make […]
After three years of relentless reform, what lies beyond the election for education?
Fiona Goodall/Getty Images A sweeping overhaul of New Zealand’s education system over the past three years has affected almost every aspect of how schools operate. It’s been guided by a stated rationale of “teaching the basics brilliantly” and giving each child the foundations to succeed, regardless of their background. But the reforms have driven heated […]
Creative arts enrolments are dropping for Year 12. Here’s what parents and students should know
Vitaly Gariev/ Pexels When students choose their Year 11 and 12 subjects, they are deciding more than their pathway to university. They are choosing the kinds of learning and experiences available to them. Yet senior Australian students are increasingly turning away from creative arts subjects. Why might this be happening? And what are young people […]
Increasing early childhood educators is important for children’s safety. But we shouldn’t focus on numbers alone
Lourdes Balduque/Getty Images On Monday night an ABC Four Corners episode on child safety in child care services depicted some disturbing CCTV footage. Videos showed an educator at a service in remote Queensland grabbing a baby by his head and neck, holding his face into a pillow and even kicking him. The ABC reported the […]
There are risks when children use AI chatbots. Does Australia’s new ‘digital duty of care’ address them?
ridvan_celik/Getty Images We know many children and teens are turning to AI chatbots to answer tricky questions, seek help and even find companionship. An eSafety survey of 1,950 Australian children aged 10 to 17 found 78% had used an AI chatbot and, of those, 54% used them for personal or social reasons. But is this […]
Every Australian public school is now covered by a funding deal. Some states still face a long wait for all their money
Edwin Tan/Getty Images Last week, Victoria finally signed a school funding deal with the federal government. This means Victorian public schools now have a timeline to reach 100% of the needs-based funding benchmark that grew out of the 2011 Gonski review. The agreement follows a significant delay as all other Australian states and territories had […]