Cognitive science | Australian Education Research Organisation

Guides & resources (10+)

Revisit and review

This practice guide will help teachers provide regular opportunities for students to revisit and review their learning.

Scaffold practice

This practice guide will help teachers select and use scaffolds to support each phase of the learning process as students retain, consolidate and apply their learning.

Extend and challenge

This practice guide will help teachers provide opportunities for all students to extend their knowledge and demonstrate mastery of learning objectives at various stages in the learning process.

Research (4)

Teacher standing at the front of the classroom reading from a page

Research report

A knowledge-rich approach to curriculum design: Commissioned report

This commissioned report provides an overview of the evidence underpinning a knowledge-rich curriculum and outlines the key design features and enablers to effectively enact a knowledge-rich curriculum in schools.

Teacher helping students with artwork

Research report

How students learn best: An overview of the evidence

This paper highlights the impact aligning teaching practices with how students learn has on educational outcomes. It underscores the importance of evidence-based practices that enhance learning for all students.

Teacher standing at the front of the class

How students learn

Our work on how students learn best (also known as the science of learning) connects cognitive science, neuroscience and education psychology research on the learning process with practical teaching implications.

Summaries & explainers (5)

Teacher standing at the front of class, students sitting on the floor

Knowledge is central to learning

This explainer provides an introduction to the role of knowledge in learning, implications for effective teaching, and describes how building background knowledge facilitates higher-order thinking and learning outcomes.

Managing cognitive load optimises learning

This explainer gives a brief introduction to cognitive load, focusing on ways to manage it for effective and efficient learning.

Explicit instruction optimises learning

This explainer provides an introduction to explicit instruction, with a focus on explaining how it contributes to positive outcomes for students’ learning achievement and dispositions.

Other (2)

Primary school student standing in front of desk writing with pencil. Teacher sitting at desk helping student with writing.

Six things about how students learn

Knowing how students learn helps you apply teaching practices well, by understanding why some practices are more effective than others. This article focuses on techniques and strategies that improve outcomes for students.

Young pupil watching another pupil paint on an easel

The science behind fostering children’s early learning and development

AERO’s ‘science of learning and development’ project will support teachers and educators to incorporate knowledge about how brains and bodies develop into their practice, beginning with early childhood education and care (ECEC) services.