The Centre for Professional Learning Podcast
by NSW Teachers Federation
The NSW Teachers Federation’s (Federation) Centre for Professional Learning (CPL) provides high quality, research-based professional learning and support for Federation members in a range of pedagogical and school based curriculum areas. The courses and conferences provide practical, tested and well researched approaches to issues that teachers face every day at the school level. The CPL aims to offer programs that are useful across the spectrum of a teacher’s career from the early years of teaching to the experienced and leadership levels. Courses and conferences are conducted in-person, as well as online. The CPL adds an important extra dimension to the union’s standing both with its members and in the public domain. It makes a positive contribution to the Federation’s ongoing efforts to raise the status of the teaching profession and promote the public education system in the wider NSW community.
Episodes
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Reclaiming invisible women in the history curriculum
In this podcast episode, CPL’s Margaret Vos interviews Judy King as they delve into women in history and will learn why it is so important to restore women to their rightful place in the world’s history. She discusses the importance of this restoration, ensuring that the achievements of women are...
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Local schools, Local decisions—A Lost Decade
In this wide-ranging interview, Kate Ambrose, Director of the Centre for Professional Learning and Maurie Mulheron, past NSW Teachers Federation President, go deep into the history of Local Schools, Local Decisions. This policy has defined the past decade of the NSW public school system…
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Take 5 Episode 9: Working Mathematically
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. The five components of working mathematically are at the heart of the NSW maths syllabus. This discussion addresses what that means for classroom teachers. Sandra Rowan and Jenny Williams
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Take 5 Episode 8: Behaviour Management
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. Every teacher wants a calm and well managed classroom. This podcast explores five principles that underpin effective behaviour management. Sandra Rowan and Jenny Williams
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Take 5 Episode 7: Principles Of Spelling
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. There are much better ways to address the teaching of spelling than a weekly list. This podcast explores the effective teaching of spelling. Mary-Ellen Betts and Sandra Rowan
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Take 5 Episode 6: Improving Spelling Through Conferences
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. Let’s get practical with spelling and sort out errors as the pen hits the page! Spelling conferences may be a real ah-ha moment for you and your class. Mary-Ellen Betts and Jenny Williams
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Take 5 Episode 5: Guided Reading
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. TRIO thinks you will agree that guided reading is a good idea but sometimes the management, timing and grouping of students can seem difficult. This is a discussion around these ideas. Jenny…
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Take 5 Episode 4: Maths
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. TRIO discusses five ideas for teachers to reflect on as they think about the teaching of maths and what is important. Sandra Rowan and Jenny Williams
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Take 5 Episode 3: Leading For Literacy Change
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. All teachers will take something from this discussion about changing the teaching of literacy to improve student learning outcomes but the focus on executive teachers and the teams they lead....
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Take 5 Episode 2: Grammar
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. Many teachers seem nervous about teaching grammar. In this podcast TRIO discusses where to start and how to make the teaching of grammar connect with what the class is reading and writing. Jenny...
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Take 5 Episode 1: Differentiation
Take 5 podcasts aim to provide listeners with five points to consider for their classroom practice. This podcast addresses the question of differentiation within primary classrooms. Students who may need differentiation are discussed. Differentiation of content, product, process and environment…
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The Teacher’s Voice in Educational Assessment
Professor Jim Tognolini from the Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment (CEMA), University of Sydney asserts that assessment is a central activity in all education and that its main function is to improve learning. He stresses that the teacher's voice and professional judgement are...
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Measuring What We Value In Education
Professor Jim Tognolini explains how it is both possible, and important, to measure values. He explains the process that can be used to develop descriptors and rubrics to measure them. . . “Everything can be measured” “We should be measuring what we value rather than valuing what we can measure”...
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Off Class - New to a Country School K-12
Cath Jeffery guides you to success in regional and rural NSW… It is great to live in a country town. You can feel invested in the local history and valued in ways that build lifelong relationships. •Get to know your students and the town. •Establish boundaries very early and make it clear you are…
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Low-SES Communities: Remote Possibilities Special Part II
Jowen Hillyer emphasises the importance of understanding unique school community needs and ensuring the structure of online schooling works for families... “I think we need to check our assumptions at the door a little but too... every parent wants the best for their child but when there are...
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When Online Works: Remote Possibilities Special Part I
Jowen Hillyer has experience building relationships, beginning new classes and teaching well in completely online subjects... “For mastery learning and formative tasks, when you’re working in the digital space, you’ve got this immediate feedback... you can see what is going on and step in......
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Off Class - Support for Students with Disability K-12
Claudia Vera guides you to the support needed for students with disability... Remember, as a mainstream teacher, you cannot be expected to meet those specialist needs. Specialist provision is needed for students with disability. •Additional supports or accommodations may need to be put in place…
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Off Class - Fast Help for New and Casual Teachers 7-12
Lloyd Bowen provides strategies for success for starting out in a new school... It is never too soon to ask for help. Start those ongoing professional discussions today. •Lessons need to be meaningful. •Build positive relationships. •Get to know students quickly. •Learn some key names fast. •Look...
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Class Dynamics & Wellbeing Online: Remote Teaching Special Part III
Rosemary Henzell emphasises the role of teachers in supporting students and colleagues in this difficult and unusual setting... This is Part III in a three-part special series recorded during the Coronavirus situation and Public Health Orders affecting NSW. “It’s just saying to students ‘I’m here...
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Assessing Learning Online: Remote Teaching Special Part II
Rosemary Henzell reflects on the challenges of the online environment and the importance of noticing all your students and their learning... This is Part II in a three-part special series recorded during the Coronavirus situation and Public Health Orders affecting NSW. “One of my biggest…
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Setting Up Online: Remote Teaching Special Part I
Rosemary Henzell shares her experiences setting up manageable online lessons and plans... This is Part I in a three-part special series recorded during the Coronavirus situation and Public Health Orders affecting NSW. “We know we try to be organised always, but I think we can actually be a little...
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CPL Aboriginal Studies 11 12
Cath Jeffery explains why all schools should offer Aboriginal Studies... “Start and conversation and be informed about what the subject actually is. I think one of the biggest myths is that it’s only for Indigenous students... If you have students going into health, education or law then…
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Off Class - Try This: Classroom Management K-6
Kathryn Bellach suggests approaches to improve your classroom management... The mood in your class is set by your behaviour. If you are welcoming, encouraging and positive, the classroom will be too. •Explicitly teach behaviour. •Create a welcoming environment. •Be consistent and fair. •Make...
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CPL Confidence Using Assessment Data and Statistics K-12
Jim Sturgiss and Gavin Parker want you to assess your students with confidence... There is a lot more assessment now... kids are tested beyond belief at this stage and there is no point having data if you are not going to analyse it and use it. Data is one thing but unless you map that to some…
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CPL Beginning Teaching in Country Schools K-12
Cath Jeffery has taught and raised her family in country NSW. She reflects on how she became invested in her students and town... “You’re kind of always on... and that can get a little bit draining at times... your parent teacher interview can be anywhere. ...You need to establish boundaries very...
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Off Class - Top 5 Classroom Management Tips 7-12
Lloyd Bowen shares some reliable strategies to begin with in any classroom now... Know the students and their community, their background, and their values. Learn what the wider community expects. •Stop and look around the class •Control the energy in the room •Have a refocus spot •Be organised...
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CPL Researching Together for a Fair Go: JPL Special Edition Part I
Wayne Sawyer and Katina Zammit share some theory and findings of the teacher-research model of the Fair Go Program, which is celebrating its 21st anniversary... “We all came from an equity and social justice background... and we were very much interested in trying to improve the learning outcomes...
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CPL Leading a High Expectations Curriculum 7-12
Lila Mularczyk and Maurie Mulheron insist public schools must maintain a comprehensive curriculum and that no option should be left unexplored to provide the full range of subjects... “Its very important that children, whether in Walgett or Woollahra, are expected to have a degree of resourcing…
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CPL Using the Language of Music K-8
Graham Sattler explores ways to talk about music with your students and how to make these conversations features of every classroom... “We have duration, pitch, dynamics, tone colour and structure... One of the significant things inside the syllabus and outside the syllabus is being able to talk...
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CPL Anxiety & Supporting Students with Disability K-12
Rose Dixon explains what anxiety feels like and what you can do to look for warning signs in your students with special learning needs... “every adolescent wants to be popular and accepted... there is stigma in our society about difference and that really comes out in adolescence... it’s…
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CPL Critical Literacy
Kathy Rushton and Joanne Rossbridge discuss the essential concept of Critical Literacy. They explain why it is essential for teachers (in both primary and secondary classrooms) to teach our students how to critically analyse all texts and to help them to develop a broader view of the world . . ....
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CPL Interview with Maurie Mulheron – In Defence of Public Education
In this special edition of the CPL Podcasts, Maurie Mulheron discusses the history, politics and ongoing debates surrounding public education in Australia. For information about contributors and the CPL Podcast, as well as the Centre for Professional Learning courses and professional learning...
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CPL Music Reading K - 6
Graham Sattler explains why it is essential to teach all K – 6 students to read music so that those students can play instruments in class. He gives some practical advice on how all primary teachers can teach these important skills. . . Note for listeners: This episode was originally recorded for...
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CPL Multimodal English And Digital Texts 7 - 12
Rosemary Henzell thinks introducing a variety of texts is good for students and their teachers… Note for listeners: This episode was originally recorded for the JPL Podcast, hence the references to the JPL Podcast throughout. For information about contributors and the JPL Podcast, as well as...
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CPL Creating Writers for Life K-6
Jenny Williams and Sandra Rowan discuss how teachers can create ‘writers for life’ in their K - 6 classrooms and encourage students to embrace writing and to enjoy it for their whole lives . . . “Our focus, as teachers, needs to be on the fact that it [writing] is a lifelong skill that all of us...
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CPL Legal Studies 11-12
Aarti Nand discusses teaching stage 6 Legal Studies and what you, as teachers, can do to encourage our students to choose this important subject and to help them to meet with success within it... Note for listeners: This episode was originally recorded for the JPL Podcast, hence the references to...
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CPL Multicultural Education K-12
Mark Harris, Chantel Mirzai and Cathy Clift discuss multicultural education and how they have made their school a really inclusive place to be… “We have a really strong understanding of our context, and balance that by keeping abreast with research and evidence. So what we try to do, particularly...
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CPL Teaching EAL/D Students K-12
Kathy Rushton and Joanne Rossbridge make the case for specialist teachers for our EAL/D students… “Some students might be recognised as having support… if you go back to the research, students need about seven years to develop the English language, academically, to get to the level that a native...
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CPL Early Career Teaching K-6
Jenny Williams and Mary-Ellen Betts take you from inspiration to reality and back again… “The key to being a successful teacher is seeing yourself as a constant learner… You can come into a school that has a lot of its own traditions and its own ways of doing things… in teaching you have to...
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CPL Autism K-12
Rose Dixon suggests practical strategies to meet the needs of your students… “We need this extra special training to actually meet the needs of these special students… There is no cure for Autism … that doesn’t mean that we can’t create Autism friendly environments where people with Autism can…
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CPL Visual Arts 7-12
Kristy Pugliano and Alexandra Johnson explain why all students need to study the Creative Arts… “Visual Arts is subjective and students can have an opinion and have it valued… we encourage difference and we encourage diversity… People are inspired by creativity and more often than not that is…
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CPL Planning for Improved Cognition K - 6
Jenny Williams and Sandra Rowan explain what you can do to create a classroom where students are focussed on thinking... “I think a good place to start is to think about what our students are like now and what being in a classroom used to be like. I went to school in the sixties and the pedagogy...
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CPL New History Extension Syllabus
Margaret Vos encourages all secondary schools to offer History Extension… “It’s a course which is incredibly valuable… it’s important for the continuation of history as a discipline … and because you get students who love history in your History Extension classes you have great discussions. … It...
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CPL Why and How to Teach Mathematics 7-12
Eddie Woo and David Watson love teaching mathematics and you can too … “I became a Maths teacher because of my Year 12 Maths teacher… they came across as good people teaching good things… since then, I’ve been thinking about the power of exploration in Maths and the beauty of not always having to...
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CPL The Making of a Teacher: Starting out in 1911
Beatrice Taylor began teaching in 1911 after just 6 weeks training. She was only 17 year old. Beatrice reflects on her experiences teaching at the outbreak of World War One, supervising classes of 70 students, and other oppressive conditions and demands of her times… “I felt delighted. The…
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CPL Engagement in Science K-6
Dan Sprange knows the power and potential of engaging Science lessons… “We often sit at the front of our classrooms and think, yeah, we’ve covered that it’s all good, but if we were to sit in the minds of our students, we might see a very different picture… We need to aim for durable knowledge…
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CPL Professional Teaching Standards K-12
Tom Alegounarias tells the story of the teaching standards in NSW and why they can be useful for teachers… “It is not possible to codify what constitutes quality… but we needed to build a discourse of professionalism beyond a simple statement … and articulate what values we will protect. You…
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CPL New History Syllabus 11-12
Dr. Jennifer Lawless and Jonathon Dallimore discuss what to do with the new Stage 6 Ancient and Modern History courses and see much to be excited about… “I hope a lot of people will be willing to try some of these new topics and I think they will … In terms of the topic flow, the cores do an...
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CPL Teachers as Researchers K-12
Les Perelman makes the case for teachers to do their own research into teaching writing… “If you think about most professions, think about medicine, they don’t have outside social scientists come in and do their research for them… It is absolutely essential that we do the research for our...
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CPL Teaching and Assessing Writing K - 12
Les Perelman wants all of our students to be excellent writers. He shares his knowledge about effective writing teaching and assessment to empower all students and their teachers… “The people in our society who have power are excellent writers… Writing should be a positive activity where people…
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About this show
The NSW Teachers Federation’s (Federation) Centre for Professional Learning (CPL) provides high quality, research-based professional learning and support for Federation members in a range of pedagogical and school based curriculum areas. The courses and conferences provide practical, tested and well researched approaches to issues that teachers face every day at the school level. The CPL aims to offer programs that are useful across the spectrum of a teacher’s career from the early years of teaching to the experienced and leadership levels. Courses and conferences are conducted in-person, as well as online. The CPL adds an important extra dimension to the union’s standing both with its members and in the public domain. It makes a positive contribution to the Federation’s ongoing efforts to raise the status of the teaching profession and promote the public education system in the wider NSW community.
Hosted by
NSW Teachers Federation
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