The Australian Government is supporting teachers with a new range of free resources to help them manage disruptive behaviour in the classroom.
The new resources include tools on classroom management practices, coaching colleagues, and practice guides on supporting students with diverse learning needs.
Commissioned by the Australian Government, the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) has developed these contemporary resources as part of the Engaged Classrooms Through Effective Classroom Management project.
This work responds to findings that one in three Australian teachers are losing valuable teaching time due to classroom disruptions that impact safety and student outcomes.
These new materials build on previous guidance to provide comprehensive strategies for creating safe and engaging learning spaces. The latest resources include:
- 15 video examples showcasing classroom management practices in primary and secondary school settings
- Three practice-based professional learning resources with a facilitation guide
- A guide on supporting colleagues with refining their classroom management practice, along with 15 observation tools for teacher development
- Seven practice guides for teachers on supporting students with diverse learning needs.
Dr Jenny Donovan, AERO’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasised the critical importance of these resources.
“These resources provide teachers and school leaders with evidence-based, practical approaches to create consistent, predictable and supportive learning environments,” she said.
“By offering comprehensive resources that address everything from communication techniques to supporting students with diverse needs, we’re supporting teachers to ensure all Australian students are given the best opportunity to learn.”
The resources have been extensively developed through consultation with teachers, school leaders, parents, experts, allied health professionals and academics. They cover a wide range of critical classroom management practices, including the use of acknowledgement and praise, clear communication, classroom scanning, voice control and strategies for responding to disengaged and disruptive behaviours.
The videos demonstrating classroom management practices have been filmed across Australia, at schools in New South Wales, the Northern Territory (Tiwi Islands), South Australia and Queensland, showing a range of schools and settings.
“What sets these resources apart is their practical, Australian context-specific approach,” Dr Donovan said.
“We’ve created 15 video examples across various Australian educational settings, ensuring that teachers can see these strategies in action and understand how to adapt them to their unique classroom environments.”
The suite also includes specialised guides for supporting students with diverse needs, developed in collaboration with MultiLit and the Institute of Special Educators (InSpEd). These resources address areas such as communication needs, emotional regulation, sensory differences and social interactions.
It is the third set of ‘Engaged Classrooms’ resources developed by AERO in consultation with teachers and classrooms management expert, Dr Tim McDonald.
“These resources are a collaborative blueprint for creating more responsive, inclusive and effective learning environments,” Mr McDonald said.
“By supporting teachers with practical, evidence-based strategies, we’re not just improving classroom management, we’re working to enhance the entire educational experience for students and educators alike.”
The free resources will help teachers starting out, those working in new environments, and experienced teachers who want to refine or refresh their classroom management practice.
Case study: Natalie Polak and Dubbo South Public School
As Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction and Lead Teacher at Dubbo South Public School, Ms Natalie Polak is always interrogating impact, and ensuring her team is equipped to deliver the best possible education experience.
Ms Polak joined the Australian Education Research Organisation’s (AERO) Engaged Classroom Practice Reference Group in 2023. She joined this group to find out about the latest education research and tools and assist teachers in creating positive learning environments, particularly in the context of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
“We can’t just do what we’ve always done and expect the results to improve. We have to connect with research to stay current and provide the best possible education experience for our diverse cohort,” she said.
Over two years, Ms Polak used new evidence-based resources developed by AERO to increase the use of positive and high-impact classroom management practices. Though the education landscape is constantly shifting, Ms Polak reflects on how powerful the resources were in building a strong foundation that benefits every classroom.
“My team just doesn’t have time to digest huge research reports. These resources helped us align on how to create a positive, structured classroom with rhythm and routines – an environment that allows kids to feel safe and supported so they can actually engage in learning.”
Ms Polak also reflects on the importance of encouraging a culture of growth and refinement, and using evidence-based approaches to ensure consistency across a diverse teaching cohort.
“We’re all lifelong learners. Even for master teachers, these resources are an opportunity to revisit our strategies and provide affirmation that our practices are grounded in research.”
Ms Polak said being able to apply the guides and resources functionally, to all teaching styles is a “game changer”.
“If we get all those foundation elements [of classroom management] right, really, our job is 95 per cent prevention, rather than responding.”
After implementing and testing these resources, Dubbo South Public School revised their behaviour policy to strengthen classroom management foundations. This change has created more opportunities for success and given teachers additional time to build connections with colleagues, students, and families, according to Ms Polak.
“The more we can accommodate every child to grow and find success, the more growth and success that gives us as professionals.”
Minister for Education Jason Clare said when students are fully engaged in the classroom, they learn at their best and teachers have more time to teach.
“A lot of teachers tell me that when they leave university and jump into the classroom for the first time they don’t feel as prepared as they should to manage a classroom full of students,” Mr Clare said.
“By providing these resources to teachers we can help them to manage the classroom which is good for them and good for their students.”
The latest suite complements the first set of resources focuses on helping teachers who want to refine or refresh their classroom management practice.
The second package focuses on a whole-of-school approach to help school leaders create safe and supportive learning environments to promote teaching and learning.
All resource materials are available for free on AERO’s website at https://www.edresearch.edu.au/topics/classroom-management.
