Senior secondary school | Australian Education Research Organisation

Browse AERO’s resources for senior secondary schools.

Resource collections (4)

Teacher in front of class pointing at a grammar lesson on a large screen

Resource collection

Teaching for how students learn: Research and explainers

This collection of resources provides insights about the learning process common to students across learning contexts, as well as the practical implications for teaching.

Teacher in front of a screen giving a lesson to a class of primary school students

Resource collection

Teaching for how students learn: Practice guides

These Teaching for How Students Learn practice guides describe the practices in AERO's learning and teaching model.

Teacher in front of a screen giving a lesson to a class of primary school students

Resource collection

Teaching for how students learn: Videos of practice

These Teaching for How Students Learn videos demonstrate evidence-based teaching practices in real school environments. They are designed to exemplify the practices in AERO's learning and teaching model.

Guides & resources (10+)

Teaching for how students learn: Explain learning objectives

This video demonstrates how teachers explain learning objectives in alignment with AERO’s model of teaching and learning. Learning objectives are concise statements that outline the goals of a lesson, a series of lessons or a learning activity. They specify what students are expected to learn and are expressed in language that is accessible to students, with any unfamiliar terms clearly explained.

Teaching for how students learn: Teach explicitly

This video demonstrates how teachers teach explicitly in alignment with AERO’s model of teaching and learning. Introducing new information is most effective when teachers break it down and teach it explicitly using explanation, demonstration and modelling, especially when students are new to that learning area. It involves teaching content explicitly in ways that manage cognitive load to support students with building foundational knowledge before they practise independently.

Teaching for how students learn: Scaffold practice

This video demonstrates how teachers scaffold practice in alignment with AERO’s model of teaching and learning. Supports – known as scaffolds – consist of guidance from the teacher and tools and resources the student can use. Scaffolds can be designed during planning (planned scaffolding) or introduced during lessons to respond to learning needs as they arise (contingent scaffolding). Teachers select and use scaffolds to support each phase of the learning process as students retain, consolidate and apply their learning.

Research (10+)

A teacher sitting at a low desk with several primary school students helping them with reading

Learning English while learning the curriculum

This project investigated how long it takes Australian students learning English as an additional language (EAL) to develop the level of English required to equitably participate in curriculum learning.

A teacher sitting at a low desk with several primary school students helping them with writing

Research report

How long it takes to learn English while learning the curriculum

This report presents research into how long it takes students in New South Wales government schools learning English as an additional language to develop the level of English required to equitably participate in curriculum learning.

Primary school students sitting at desks listening to teacher off camera.

Research report

Evidence-based practices in school settings for student wellbeing

This report provides insights into strategies and interventions that improve aspects of wellbeing linked to learning.

Summaries & explainers (10+)

Thumbnail reading 'Research summary: How long it takes to learn English while learning the curriculum' with icon of speech bubbles

Research summary

How long it takes to learn English while learning the curriculum

This research summary describes an AERO research project that explored how long it takes Australian students learning English as an additional language (EAL) to develop the English language skills necessary to participate equitably in curriculum learning.

Retention and recall

Retention and recall are fundamental to successful learning outcomes. Knowledge needs to be retained so that it can be used. Retention is the ability to store information in memory over time, while recall is the ability to retrieve and use stored information when needed. When students effectively retain and recall information, they can easily access and apply it to build on existing knowledge and develop deeper understanding.

Mastery and application

Mastery of learning is the accumulation and retention of knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills, and knowing when and how to use them. Application of learning includes transferring information to both familiar and new contexts, which leads to deeper understanding and more sophisticated use of knowledge. Mastery is fundamental to students’ achievement in school and their lives beyond formal education.

Other (10+)

Group of happy primary school children standing in front of a whiteboard

Some students learning English can take at least 6 years to catch up to their peers. How can we support them better?

Our new research found it can take many years for students to develop the English language skills they need.

Fostering safe and supportive learning environments: Webinar recording

On 27 February 2025, AERO hosted a webinar exploring how teachers and leaders can foster safe and supportive learning environments in their schools.

Teacher greeting students lining up at door as they enter the classroom

New classroom management resources for Australian teachers and leaders

AERO has released a suite of new resources offering practical, evidence-based strategies to help teachers and school leaders create supportive learning environments.