An estimated 9 million Australians take prescription medicine every day, and many more pop over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and vitamins. Almost one-quarter of a million people are hospitalised each year due to problems caused by their medication. Medicines play a big role in daily life, so it ‘s crucial they ‘re taken properly and … Read more
Throughout my two decades in education, I have experimented with a variety of approaches to assessment, including projects, models, debates, and traditional assessments. In the past two years I’ve been teaching high school online, and I’ve abandoned traditional tests in favor of more compassionate forms of assessment. My new favorite is the discussion assessment, and … Read more
You only get one pair of eyes. And while people often develop serious eye conditions as they age, or because of illness and injury, there are plenty of things you can do to protect your peepers from unnecessary damage. Here are 5 reasons to give your eyes more love and attention – before it’s too late. … Read more
New notifications of HIV (the Human Immunodeficiency Virus) have — overall — stabilised in recent years. But HIV diagnoses have also increased in some population groups. Australia has made great progress in HIV prevention within the gay community. For example, HIV diagnoses in gay and bisexual men in NSW in the first half of 2017 decreased by 31%. HIV … Read more
II. It’s an extraordinary amount of work to design precise and personalized assessments that illuminate pathways forward for individual students–likely too much for one teacher to do so consistently for every student. This requires rethinking of learning models, or encourages corner-cutting. (Or worse, teacher burnout.) III. Literacy (reading and writing ability) can obscure content knowledge. Further, language … Read more
Most parents of newborn babies have heard that ‘breast is best’. But although 96% of children are breastfed soon after birth, only 15% of mums are still breastfeeding exclusively 5 months later. So, what’s preventing some parents from continuing to breastfeed, and how can they persist with longer-term breastfeeding, if that’s their wish? What the research … Read more
If you are one of the 300,000 Australians who earn their living from the land, you’ll know how difficult and uncertain farming can be. There are health and safety issues, such as working long hours in the sun, or with animals, chemicals and farm machinery. And a drought or severe flooding can affect a farming … Read more
Most people have something to say when it comes to health. From conversations at barbecues to chats with co-workers to social media, people always find ways to share their views about health, wellbeing and medicine (and more). Sometimes it’s useful; sometimes it’s simply about having a vent. But there are also ways you can voice … Read more
Have you had a fail lately? A professional development day that took an unexpected turn or a student activity that got more eye rolls than applause? As educators, we always aim for innovative, exciting, and relevant learning experiences for our students. But let’s face it: With innovation comes the occasional misfire. In Right Kind of Wrong, … Read more
Every day in Australia, 9 infants or children die suddenly and unexpectedly. The aim of Red Nose Day (Friday June 29) is to reduce this number to zero. By hosting an event, creating a fundraising page, volunteering or buying merchandise, you can raise money to help make this happen. Since last year’s Red Nose Day, … Read more