Professional Learning

Based on our research, we think professional learning needs to change. Instead of focusing on what teachers need to “do better”, our research indicates that schools and systems should look at improving the contexts in which teachers work. As a result, we focus on helping our clients to understand, create, and sustain effective cultural conditions that lead to happier educators who feel valued, motivated and supported by their profession.

We offer professional learning opportunities based on several key areas of educational research and practice. However, context matters and the best programs come from collaborative research and design, with organisations and their people.

Examples of recent bespoke professional development courses we designed have focused on:

  • Emerging Leaders Program

  • Developmental Approaches to Critical and Creative Thinking

  • Effective use of Data

  • Classroom Vibe: Making classroom culture every teacher’s superpower

  • Understanding & Using Classroom Data

Survey Development

We work with our clients to build tailored mechanisms that measure and provide pathways to enhanced school outcomes. We specialise in the development of surveys and associated reports, as well as evaluation frameworks, conceptual frameworks, capability measurement tools, and school leadership frameworks. We also offer a number of established, evidence-based instruments. These tools underpin the delivery of our professional development programs but are also available for site-based licensing.

Examples of recent bespoke surveys we have designed have focused on:

  • School community perceptions regarding our school’s response to remote learning

  • Staff & student wellbeing

  • Student perceptions of teaching

  • School culture with regards to gender-based harassment

Keynote and Workshop Presentations

Examples of bespoke keynote presentations we have designed have focused on:

  • It’s not about the data

  • Using data to support differentiation

  • Self-determination theory

  • Wellbeing

  • Effective use of data within schools

  • Classroom Vibe: Practical Strategies for Better Classroom Culture

Research & Evaluation

In addition to providing tailored subject matter expertise, our researchers are also available for commissioned research and evaluation at a site and system level.

All members of our research team hold PhDs and are well versed in a variety of research and evaluation methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. We have experience in ethnography, case study methodology, action research, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, and large-scale educational evaluations.

Our researchers have worked with a variety of organisations, including The International Baccalaureate, The University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, ACARA, The Educational Endowment Foundation, AITSL, Catholic Education Melbourne, thebrowncollective, Catholic Education South Australia, Brisbane Catholic Education, Northern Territory Department of Education, Queensland Department of Education, and South Australia Department for Education, UNESCO, Wesley College, Marcellin College, Pivot Professional Learning, Education Services Australia (ESA), Osiris Education, and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in the areas of leadership development, executive management, standards-based reform, and educator wellbeing.

Recent Projects

We have worked with a variety of organisations, including The International Baccalaureate, The University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, ACARA, The Educational Endowment Foundation, AITSL, Catholic Education Melbourne, thebrowncollective, Catholic Education South Australia, Brisbane Catholic Education, Northern Territory Department of Education, Queensland Department of Education, and South Australia Department for Education, UNESCO, Wesley College, Marcellin College, Pivot Professional Learning, Education Services Australia (ESA), Osiris Education, and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in the areas of leadership development, executive management, standards-based reform, and educator wellbeing.

Recent Projects

Anti-Corruption Campaigning through Education. Commissioned by Independent broad-based anti-corruption commission (iBac) (Australia).

Critical and Creative Thinking: A Developmental Learning Approach. Commissioned by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, Western Region ((Australia).

Data Visualization Support for The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD). Commissioned by Educational Services Australia (ESA, Australia).

Design of the DET Outcomes and Performance Framework. Commissioned by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria (Australia).

Development of Data Strategy. Commissioned by Marcellin College, Templestowe (Australia).

Evaluation of the Leading with Integrity for Excellence Program. Commissioned by Brisbane Catholic Education Office, Brisbane (Australia).

Key Advances in Educational Assessment. Commissioned by the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA), (Australia).

Review of Wesley College Institute. Commissioned by Wesley College, Melbourne (Australia).

Self Determination Theory: Building Community, Connection, and Wellbeing. Commissioned by Knox Grammar, Sydney (Australia).

Supporting Women in Catholic School Leadership. Commissioned by Catholic Education Melbourne (Australia).

Student and Teacher Perceptions of Remote Learning. Commissioned by Wesley College, Melbourne (Australia).

For more information on any of these studies, please contact us, or click here to see our relevant publications.