HDR Student Showcase: Innovative Education Research

Join the School of Education for a showcase presentation of innovative education research being conducted by HDR students.

Presentations will be provided by Higher Degree Research students from the School of Education, RMIT University: Chelsea Cutting, Kelly Chan, and Matthew P. Sinclair. After a brief introduction, each presenter will provide an overview and salient findings from their work before a Q&A session open to all participants. 

 

Presentation #1

Exploring the Efficacy of a Spatialised Approach to Teaching Fractions in the Early Years of Primary School, by Chelsea Cutting 

This study is concerned with combining research informed pedagogies on early fraction instruction with a spatial reasoning focus to help young children build on their intuitive ideas that they bring to school about division and fair sharing. A design-based research methodology has been used to investigate this phenomenon, which is an iterative process of design, (teaching) intervention, and redesign. The findings of this study have enabled the creation of a localised theory in the form of a conceptual framework that describes the way in which the children engaged in this study and how it may be applied in further research and educational contexts. 

Presentation #2

Artist-activists in Protest Hong Kong: Trans/formation of Subjectivity, by Kelly Chan 

This visual ethnographic study investigates subjectivity in relation to artmaking and its potential public pedagogical functions in contemporary Hong Kong. From the Umbrella Movement in 2014, to the anti-extradition movement beginning in 2019 through the anti-government protests in 2020, and the imposition of the new national security laws in July, people in Hong Kong have continuously expressed new momentum of activism and the development of localism, through diverse creative means. This sharing focuses on the relationships between how artist-activists were informed by these social movements and how their practices in turn inform these movements.

 

Presentation #3

The "Gonski era" of Education Policy: A Critical Policy Analysis, by Matthew P. Sinclair 

This project deploys a critical policy analysis to examine the implications of the Review of Funding for Schooling report (Australian Government, 2011) [Gonksi 1.0] for the Australian education system. In doing so, I have explored the policy cycle of the "Gonski era" of education policy and argue that despite much public acclaim the period was inequitable in several ways: particularly favouring the already powerful non-government school sectors in Australia who account for just a third (34%) of the total Australian student enrolments. I use my findings to offer some suggestions that aim to progress education policymaking towards more equitable development processes in the future. 

 

Event queries? Please contact Professor Jeffrey S. Brooks, RMIT School of Education, Associate Dean, Research & Innovation at Jeffrey.brooks@rmit.edu.au with any questions about this event.

Share

Upcoming events

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information