Centre for Independent Studies

How to Build Low-Cost Nuclear: Lessons from the world

How to Build Low-Cost Nuclear: Lessons from the world by Aidan Morrision. First published on April 11, 2024.
For all references and graphs, please download the publication at the centre for independent studies website where you can also become a member of CIS. As this paper is graph and data-heavy, it’s a good idea to have the paper open as you listen along. The paper can be downloaded from here: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/how-to-build-low-cost-nuclear-lessons-from-the-world/

Making Maths Teaching Count

In this episode, we delve into the concerning decline of proficiency in mathematics among Australian students over the past two decades. Join host Glenn Fahey, along with special guests Sarah Powell and Toni Hatten-Roberts, as they unravel the complexities behind this trend.
Sarah Powell is Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas, Austin. She is a leading advocate within the US Science of Math movement, advancing evidence-informed teaching practice. She is co-author of the CIS publications: Myths that interfere with mathematics teaching and Evidence-based teaching in maths.
Toni Hatten-Roberts is an award winning educator and is the director of COGlearn and Executive Director of Education at Mastery Schools Australia. She is also the author of the CIS publication “The Need For Speed: why fluency counts for maths learning.”
Glenn Fahey is Director of Education at the Centre for Independent Studies. He is the author of several CIS publications, including: Starting off on the wrong foot: How to improve Initial Teacher Education in Australia and Failing to teach the teacher: An analysis of mathematics Initial Teacher Education. He provides regular commentary across major newspapers across Australia.All our links: https://linktr.ee/centreforindependentstudies

The Science of Learning

The science of learning represents an opportunity to design instruction in a way that is likely to lead to most students’ success with learning. The evidence suggests explicit instruction of a well-sequenced knowledge-focused curriculum will lead to that success.
But, what is the science of learning?
Let's dive in with Trisha Jha to find out. All our links: https://linktr.ee/centreforindependentstudies#auspol #scienceoflearning #teaching 

Australia's 100+ Taxes

Leading economists Robert Carling and Warren Hogan discuss our true tax burden, which is higher than most people believe. They outline how it has grown, why the federal and state governments are not interested in relieving the burden on Australians — and what needs to be done to prevent us sliding into a very grim future.#auspol All our links: https://linktr.ee/centreforindependentstudies

Can Humanity Sustain Its Growth? Marian Tupy Analyzes Resource Availability.

Follow this podcast here: https://liberalisminquestion.podbean.com/Watch here: https://youtu.be/6uiMn9hRqQA In this episode, Rob chats with Marian Tupy, the editor of Human​Progress.org, a senior fellow the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, and co-author of The Simon Abundance Index. Marian argues that humanity has accomplished a great deal and can continue to do so if we continue to adhere to the values of classical liberalism. According to Marian, the argument that resources can’t keep up with human growth is simply not true. A cold, dispassionate look at the big picture shows that, all things considered, the world continues to improve along many different dimensions. #auspol #humanprogress #catoAll our links: https://linktr.ee/centreforindependentstudies

Sherelle Jacobs - The Western World at a Tipping Point.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/DHfbzSOM7FwOn this episode, Rob engages in a compelling conversation with Sherelle Jacobs, a columnist for the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper. Sherelle contends that the Western world is at a tipping point, experiencing a decline marked by limitations on economic freedom, intellectual pursuits, and the freedom to demonstrate in the new millennium.The core question explored is whether the West is currently facing a decline that demands significant changes for its survival, and the prospects of liberalism in this evolving landscape. Sherelle highlights a prevailing sense of malaise that grips the national psyches of Western societies.#auspol #west #democracy

Greedflation: Inflation with an Agenda - With Warren Hogan

Warren Hogan is an eminent economist, and the founder of EQ Economics, a Sydney-based micro advisory firm, with a focus on providing economic and strategic advice to businesses in Australia. Warren is a regular in Australian and international media, and a columnist for The Australian Financial Review. He has also published extensively in The Conversation.
In this episode, Warren debunks to notion of greedflation and explains what you need to know about inflation in Australia. "What will determine whether inflation sustains a lift above the target band will come down to what happens in Australian labour markets, and how businesses respond to rising nominal wage growth." - Warren Hogan. 

Will AI Destroy us all? An Interview with Larry Marshall

Watch here: https://youtu.be/-n7GJom-KEEDr. Larry Marshall is a scientist, technology innovator and business leader with more than 25 years’ experience in creating new value and impact with science.Dr. Larry Marshall dismantles the myth of AI's destructive potential, highlighting its exponential growth and role in fostering prosperity. He advocates for essential regulation and unbiased education to address AI-driven cybercrimes and ensure responsible use. Dr. Marshall emphasizes that AI, currently grounded in algorithms, lacks consciousness. in as he calls for increased investment in AI expertise, both from the government and industry, to create new jobs in the era of automation. #auspol #AI #openai

How Woke Won - Joanna Williams Explains

Watch here: https://youtu.be/cJ11MmRAGbgFollow this show: https://liberalisminquestion.podbean.com/On this episode, Rob chats with Joanna Williams, author and former academic now running her platform Cieo, delve into the catastrophic impacts of wokism on society. Joanna defines wokism and discusses how it has prevailed, emphasising the widespread emphasis on victimhood in our culture. She addresses the core issue, asserting that the focus of woke anti-racism is on 'structural' racism ingrained in laws, policies, systems, and institutions. This phenomenon has permeated various aspects of Western society, from education and workplaces to sports, politics, and justice administration. Joanna highlights the defenders of wokism who claim to protect vulnerable freedoms but argues that opponents must recognize this and brace for a prolonged battle to reverse its influence. She underscores the and emphasises the need to vigorously safeguard our liberties against the pervasive influence of wokism.#woke #auspol

What is the Science of Learning? By Trisha Jha.

What is the Science of Learning? By Trisha Jha.Listen to all our research here: https://cisresearch.podbean.com/Despite billions of additional experts and concerted efforts at reforming several pillars of the Australian education ecosystem, students’ results continue to plateau. While the focus on teaching quality and effective, evidence-based practices is welcome, it is incomplete. Australian education needs to position the science of learning as the foundation for policy and practice.
The establishment of the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) — in particular its recent work How students learn best — and the Strong Beginnings report into initial teacher education reforms are important because they create space for shifting focus towards the science of learning.
Unfortunately, key pillars of Australian education policy do not reflect the science of learning, due to the far-reaching impacts of progressive educational beliefs dating back to the 18th century.
These beliefs include that:
Students learn best when they themselves guide their learning and it aligns with their interest;
Rote learning is harmful;
Learning should be based on projects or experiences, and that doing this will result in critical and creative thinkers.
But these beliefs are contradicted by the science of learning, which is the connection between: 1) insights from cognitive science and educational psychology; and 2) the teaching practices  supported (and not supported) by those insights. Key concepts include:
Biologically primary knowledge (BPK) and biologically secondary knowledge (BSK): These concepts are not about stages of schooling. Rather, BPK includes things like basic social relations and problem-solving skills we have evolved to learn and do not need to be taught. In contrast, BSK includes foundational skills — like reading, writing, maths as well as coding, Cubism and how to kick a football (what schools are for) — we can only learn through instruction;
Domain-specific and domain-general skills: domain-general skills overlap with biologically-primary knowledge but critical thinking and analysis are specific to domains such as maths, history etc;
Working memory and long-term memory: working memory is severely limited and can only handle small amounts of new information; making it a funnel to long-term memory. A strong long-term memory can help strengthen working memory; and
Cognitive load theory: given these models of human cognition, teachers should design instruction to optimise the burden on working memory in a way that best helps learning.
The teaching approach best supported by the evidence is explicit instruction of a well-sequenced, knowledge-focused curriculum. Some key features of explicit instruction include:
Careful ordering of curriculum content so that new information and concepts are built sequentially;
Explanation of new information in small steps, taught through modelling and worked examples, with student practice after each step;
Asking questions and checking for all students’ understanding of what has been taught before gradual release of students for independent work and more complex tasks; and
Regular review of previous content to ensure retention.
There are many implications for the science of learning:
For teachers, it is an opportunity to design instruction in a way that is likely to lead to most students’ success with learning;
Parents can become more informed about how their child will learn best and more empowered when selecting or having conversations with their child’s school; and
For policymakers, it provides a foundation for future reform of policy at all levels.Read the paper here: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/what-is-the-science-of-learning/