In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He currently works at La Trobe University as a Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement and the Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs. He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators. Nathaniel first appeared on the Knowledge for Teachers podcast in season 1 episode 20 and unpacked some of the FAQ about the science of learning. This time they delve into the messy world of teaching writing. He explains how writing is a complex skill and provides practical strategies for sequencing the teaching of grammar and integrating writing into the curriculum.
Resources mentioned:
- Wexler and Hochman’s The Writing Revolution
- William Van Cleave – Writing Matters
- Think Forward Educators
- Ochre Education
- La Trobe Short Courses:
- Masterclass: Developing Great Writing Skills – Once off – 19 March 2024 (live or asynchronous): https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/masterclass-developing-great-writing-skills
- Improving Writing – The Science and Linguistics of Writing – Starting 16 April 2024 (live or asynchronous): https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/improving-writing-the-science-and-linguistics-of-writing
- The Science of Teaching Writing – Starting 4 June 2024 (live or asynchronous): https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/the-science-of-teaching-writing
You can connect with Nathaniel:
Twitter: @NathanielRSwain
Order Nathaniel’s book, “Harnessing the Science of Learning“
Website: www.nathanielswain.com
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Nathaniel Swain
Dr Nathaniel Swain brings a myriad of experiences and expertise to his role as Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement and Director of Academic Programs – Undergraduate. Originally educated as a linguist and speech-language pathologist, Nathaniel became a classroom teacher to pursue his lifelong dream of teaching students so every child can achieve their best. Drawing upon his linguistics, instructional coaching, and even his performing arts expertise, Nathaniel creates effective and engaging learning environments for any student with whom he works, and he is highly sought after in schools and systems around Australia.
Dr Swain has significant practical and theoretical experience, having worked as Head of Teaching and Learning and Instructional Coach across secondary and primary settings in Victoria. He has received several prestigious awards in his career including: the Learning Difficulties Australia Mona Tobias Award (2023), Engagement Excellence and Teaching Excellence Awards (2018), and the 2016 Three Minute Thesis Competition (Winner, University of Melbourne Grand Final; and Runner-Up, Asia-Pacific Final).
Dr Nathaniel Swain founded and spear-headed the influential Think Forward Educators community. Now a registered charity, this organisation provides quality professional learning, guidance, and networking for teachers and educators across Australia. With more than 23,000 members nationally, Think Forward is an influential force for supporting teachers to learn about, adopt, and refine the practices that align with the Science of Learning.
Nathaniel is a blogger and writer, producing a newsletter for teachers called the Cognitorium, and has a book for school leaders and educators coming out this year, entitled Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Kickstart Your School Improvement.
Thanks so much for another insightful episode in an area that teachers often do not feel confident about (in terms of using evidence-based strategies).
In my current ITE course, the only framework that we are taught is the Teaching and Learning Cycle (Building the field, supported reading, modelling/deconstructing, joint construction and independent construction). I can see the value of this to effectively scaffold the teaching to write a whole text of a certain text type.
I also love the Writing Revolution approach and, as the strategies are often simple to convey, this can be used daily across different learning areas to consolidate the use of these techniques.
Lastly, there is the Talk 4 Writing approach which I have seen students being very engaged in.
I am not sure how these three approaches should fit together (do they?) in my future evidence-based Primary classroom. Could you please give me some perspective?