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Griffith University early literacy expert Dr Michelle Neumann welcomes a national early reading screening check announced by Education Minister Simon Birmingham earlier this year.
As part of her research, Dr Neumann developed and validated an Emergent Literacy Assessment app in 2016 which tests alphabet knowledge (letter names and sounds).
She is now extending the app to include other important early literacy skills such as phonological awareness, print concepts, and early writing.
“These early skills are all key predictors of future reading ability,’’ she says.
“Teaching children how to read is a balanced approach and Australian teachers follow the Australian Curriculum’s three main strands of language, literature, and literacy.
“This ensures students are taught cuing systems such as visual knowledge of letters and sounding out words, structural skills such as the way language is written with grammar and punctuation and how to comprehend and make meaning out of the words.”
Dr Neumann believes phonics is a strong component of

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As Australians and future hopeful visa holders are watching carefully as the Federal government prepares to announce details on what will replace the abolished 457 visa program, Professor Kate Hutchings of the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing says it comes at a time where we need to re-think about what international work looks like in the country.
“Traditionally when we thought of people working internationally they were often relocated for a long period of time, it might have been 3-5 years as a long term assignment,” Hutchings said.
“It was often people who were quite senior in their position and later in their career.”
According to Hutchings, that demographic and long term placement just does not apply as much anymore as a newer short-term breed of worker is looking towards Australia for work opportunities.
“The nature of international work has shifted and the profile of people that are working internationally has changed as

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An interactive sound installation developed by a Griffith researcher to help tackle climate change is on show at the Smithsonian Museum this month, as part of the Earth Optimism summit.
Queensland Conservatorium research fellow Dr Leah Barclay was the only Australian invited to present at the summit in Washington DC, which attracted 3,000 leading scientists, environmentalists and artists from around the world.
She presented on the art and science of sound as part of the Science, Conservation, Inspiration session, alongside speakers such as National Geographic President and CEO Gary E. Knell and renowned artist Maya Lin.
New projects to wow visitors
Dr Barclay’s Hydrology and River Listening projects – originally launched at the World Science Festival in Brisbane – will remain on show this month across the Smithsonian, Ronald Reagan Building, International Trade Center and the National Mall.
Hydrology is a new augmented reality installation featuring a live mix of 100 aquatic soundscapes collected over a decade.
The River Listening app is at the

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Griffith University researchers will work with cane growers on a $700,000 Queensland State Government project to improve water quality in the Sandy Creek catchment.
The Sandy Creek catchment and growers will benefit from the new project which Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Steven Miles said would build on earlier work to investigate and address water quality issues related to pesticide and fertiliser use.
“This project builds on its successful predecessor, engaging with local cane farmers monitoring water quality and working in partnership to document changing farm practices aimed at reducing nutrient and pesticide run-off into Sandy Creek,” Mr Miles said.
Griffith University will work with the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation in partnership with Mackay Area Productivity Services, Farmacist, and other regional partners on the project.
Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Director of Griffith Business School’s Social Marketing @ Griffith team, said they would work with different groups of cane growers to document their experience in the project.
“We will

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