
Overview
Background
Professor Robyn Gillies' major research interests are in the learning sciences, classroom discourses, small group processes, including co-regulated learning, classroom instruction, student behaviour, and students with disabilities. Professor Robyn Gillies has worked extensively in both primary and secondary schools to embed STEM education initiatives into the science curriculum. This includes helping teachers to embed inquiry skills into the science curricula so they capture students’ interests, provide opportunities for them to explore possible solutions to problems, explain phenomena, elaborate on potential outcomes, and evaluate findings. In short, through these investigations, students learn how to engage critically and constructively with others’ ideas, challenge and rebut proposals, and discuss alternative propositions. In so doing, they learn to talk and reason effectively together. These STEM education initiatives have been funded by research grants and contracts from the Australian Research Council, the Department of Education and Training (DET), the Queensland Museum Network (QMN), and the Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT). Professor Gillies is a Chief Investigator on the Science of Learning Research Centre (SLRC) where she has been instrumental in implementing two recent science-based research projects in primary and secondary schools to help teachers embed inquiry-science pedagogy into their science curricula. Her recommendations on how teachers can translate research into practice have been widely profiled in the international literature and on the website of the Smithsonian Science Education Center in Washington, DC.
Availability
- Professor Robyn Gillies is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Educational Studies, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Educational Studies (Adv), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Southern Queensland
Research interests
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Learning sciences
Learning and teaching
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Classroom discourses
Teacher and student classroom discourses
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Cooperative learning
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Classroom instruction
Pedagogical practices in the classroom
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Educational psychology
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Classroom behaviour
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Guidance, Counselling and Careers
Works
Search Professor Robyn Gillies’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Conference Publication
Intervention Study For Teachers In Indonesia To Engage With Twice-exceptional Children In The Classroom
Maliha, Siti, Newcombe, Peter, Gillies, Robyn and Mangunsong, Frieda (2021). Intervention Study For Teachers In Indonesia To Engage With Twice-exceptional Children In The Classroom. 14th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Online, 8-9 November 2021. Valencia, Spain: IATED. doi: 10.21125/iceri.2021.0501
2021
Journal Article
Second language teachers’ perceptions of their pedagogical practices, collaborations, and relationships with other teachers through professional development
Smala, Simone, Gillies, Robyn, McLay, Katherine and Ngyuen, Huong (2021). Second language teachers’ perceptions of their pedagogical practices, collaborations, and relationships with other teachers through professional development. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 46 (9), 39-54. doi: 10.14221/ajte.2021v46n9.3
2021
Journal Article
Investigating the individual nature of teacher beliefs and practices about self-regulated learning and how this shapes their practices for supporting student learning
Alvi, Effat and Gillies, Robyn M. (2021). Investigating the individual nature of teacher beliefs and practices about self-regulated learning and how this shapes their practices for supporting student learning. Educational Studies, 50 (4), 1-23. doi: 10.1080/03055698.2021.1966757
2021
Journal Article
Self-regulated learning (SRL) perspectives and strategies of Australian primary school students: a qualitative exploration at different year levels
Alvi, Effat and Gillies, Robyn M. (2021). Self-regulated learning (SRL) perspectives and strategies of Australian primary school students: a qualitative exploration at different year levels. Educational Review, 75 (4), 1-23. doi: 10.1080/00131911.2021.1948390
2021
Journal Article
The adaptation of a Brief Adolescent Subjective Well-Being in School Scale (BASWBSS), the Student Subjective Well-Being Scale in the Indonesian context [Adaptasi BASWBSS, Skala Kesejahteraan Subjektif Siswa dalam Konteks Indonesia]
Prasetyawati, Wuri, Rifameutia, Tjut, Gillies, Robyn and Newcombe, Peter A. (2021). The adaptation of a Brief Adolescent Subjective Well-Being in School Scale (BASWBSS), the Student Subjective Well-Being Scale in the Indonesian context [Adaptasi BASWBSS, Skala Kesejahteraan Subjektif Siswa dalam Konteks Indonesia]. ANIMA Indonesian Psychological Journal, 36 (2), 184-203. doi: 10.24123/aipj.v36i2.2277
2021
Journal Article
A case study: using a neuro-physiological measure to monitor students’ interest and learning during a micro:bit activity
Tan, Aik Lim , Gillies, Robyn and Jamaludin, Azilawati (2021). A case study: using a neuro-physiological measure to monitor students’ interest and learning during a micro:bit activity. Education Sciences, 11 (8) 379, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/educsci11080379
2021
Journal Article
Barriers and facilitators to online medical and nursing education during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from international students from low- and middle-income countries and their teaching staff
Li, Wen, Gillies, Robyn, He, Mingyu, Wu, Changhao, Liu, Shenjun, Gong, Zheng and Sun, Hong (2021). Barriers and facilitators to online medical and nursing education during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from international students from low- and middle-income countries and their teaching staff. Human Resources for Health, 19 (1) 64, 64. doi: 10.1186/s12960-021-00609-9
2021
Journal Article
Teacher questions: Mediated-learning behaviors involved in teacher-student interaction during whole-class instruction in Chinese English classrooms
Liu, Huifang and Gillies, Robyn M. (2021). Teacher questions: Mediated-learning behaviors involved in teacher-student interaction during whole-class instruction in Chinese English classrooms. Frontiers in Education, 6 674876. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2021.674876
2021
Journal Article
Constraints of cooperative learning in university classrooms: a qualitative study in Iran and Australia
Keramati, Mohammad Reza and Gillies, Robyn M. (2021). Constraints of cooperative learning in university classrooms: a qualitative study in Iran and Australia. Iranian Journal of Comparative Education, 4 (1), 958-972. doi: 10.22034/ijce.2020.254377.1234
2020
Conference Publication
Stay Connected: Using Social Media in a Longitudinal Study
Prasetyawati, Wuri, Gillies, Robyn, Rifameutia, Tjut and Newcombe, Peter (2020). Stay Connected: Using Social Media in a Longitudinal Study. Joint proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Intervention and Applied Psychology (ICIAP 2019) and the 4th Universitas Indonesia Psychology Symposium for Undergraduate Research (UIPSUR 2019), West Java, Indonesia, 25-26 October 2019. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Atlantis Press. doi: 10.2991/assehr.k.201125.029
2020
Journal Article
Dialogic teaching during cooperative inquiry-based science: a case study of a year 6 classroom
Gillies, Robyn M. (2020). Dialogic teaching during cooperative inquiry-based science: a case study of a year 6 classroom. Education Sciences, 10 (11) 328, 328-348. doi: 10.3390/educsci10110328
2020
Journal Article
Teachers' pedagogical practices and students' learning experiences in an Ethiopian university setting
Tadesse, Tefera, Manathunga, Catherine and Gillies, Robyn M. (2020). Teachers' pedagogical practices and students' learning experiences in an Ethiopian university setting. Asian Journal of University Education, 16 (2), 205-225. doi: 10.24191/AJUE.V16I2.8994
2020
Journal Article
Capturing the ‘vibe’: an exploration of the conditions underpinning connected learning environments
MacMahon, Stephanie, Carroll, Annemaree and Gillies, Robyn M. (2020). Capturing the ‘vibe’: an exploration of the conditions underpinning connected learning environments. Learning Environments Research, 23 (3), 379-393. doi: 10.1007/s10984-020-09312-3
2020
Journal Article
Teachers and the teaching of self-regulated learning (SRL): the emergence of an integrative, ecological model of SRL-in-context
Alvi, Effat and Gillies, Robyn M. (2020). Teachers and the teaching of self-regulated learning (SRL): the emergence of an integrative, ecological model of SRL-in-context. Education Sciences, 10 (4) 98, 98. doi: 10.3390/educsci10040098
2020
Journal Article
Promoting self-regulated learning through experiential learning in the early years of school: a qualitative case study
Alvi, Effat and Gillies, Robyn M. (2020). Promoting self-regulated learning through experiential learning in the early years of school: a qualitative case study. European Journal of Teacher Education, 44 (2), 1-23. doi: 10.1080/02619768.2020.1728739
2020
Journal Article
Shifting the instructional paradigm in higher education classroomsin Ethiopia: what happens when we use cooperative learning pedagogies more seriously?
Tradesse, Tefera, Gillies, Robyn M. and Manathunga, Catherine (2020). Shifting the instructional paradigm in higher education classroomsin Ethiopia: what happens when we use cooperative learning pedagogies more seriously?. International Journal of Educational Research, 99 101509, 101509. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2019.101509
2020
Book Chapter
Interpersonal Relationships and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Perspectives from Theory of Mind and Neuroscience
Gillies, Robyn M. (2020). Interpersonal Relationships and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Perspectives from Theory of Mind and Neuroscience. Handbook of Educational Psychology and Students with Special Needs. (pp. 534-556) edited by Andrew J. Martin, Rayne A. Sperling and Kristie J. Newton. New York, NY United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315100654-25
2020
Book
Inquiry-based science education
Gillies, Robyn M. (2020). Inquiry-based science education. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9780429299179
2020
Book Chapter
Building a secure learning environment through social connectedness
Cunnington, Ross, MacMahon, Stephanie, Sherwell, Chase and Gillies, Robyn (2020). Building a secure learning environment through social connectedness. Building a secure learning environment through social connectedness. (pp. 112-124) edited by Annemaree Carroll, Ross Cunnington and Annita Nugent. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429027833-8
2020
Book Chapter
Cooperative group work
Gillies, Robyn M. (2020). Cooperative group work. The encyclopedia of child and adolescent development. (pp. 1-11) edited by Stephen Hupp and Jeremy D. Jewell. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781119171492.wecad264
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Robyn Gillies is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Pedagogies that promote cognitivee and academic success
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Dialogic Pedagogy and the Impact on Gender Equality in Classroom Interactions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Deborah Brown
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Doctor Philosophy
Built In or Bolt On? A Policy Analysis of Non-Government Programs in Indigenous Education
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ian Hardy
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Doctor Philosophy
Thinking as collaboration: Exploring students thinking via collaborative endeavours in the primary school classroom
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Ellerton
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Doctor Philosophy
Implementing Quality Management in Saudi Education by Designing a Program to Improve Teachers¿ Performance
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cultural Competence Strategies to Support Chinese International Students Studying in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards
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Master Philosophy
Giving Our Girls A Voice: Using Dialogic Teaching to improve gender equity in classrooms.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Deborah Brown
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Doctor Philosophy
Cultural Competence Strategies to Support Chinese International Students Studying in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards
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Doctor Philosophy
Career Development and Career-Related Choices of China-Educated International Medical Students: Insights for Career Guidance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Student and Teacher Relationship: Exploring Behavioural and Neuroscience Variables that impact upon Student and Teacher Wellbeing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chase Sherwell, Professor Ross Cunnington
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Doctor Philosophy
Career Development and Career-Related Choices of China-Educated International Medical Students: Insights for Career Guidance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cultural Competence Strategies to Support Chinese International Students Studying in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards
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Doctor Philosophy
Critical thinking reflected in the academic writing of Chinese and Australian PhD students
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Garth Stahl
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring Language Learning Strategies and Learners¿ Identities Using WhatsApp Chats to Enhance the Learning of Arabic Grammar in Cooperative Learning Settings Online
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Simone Smala
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Cultural Competence Strategies to Support Chinese International Students Studying in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Student and Teacher Relationship: Exploring Behavioural and Neuroscience Variables that impact upon Student and Teacher Wellbeing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chase Sherwell, Professor Ross Cunnington
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Writing as a 21st century skill: A dialogic approach to literacy pedagogy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Deborah Brown
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Adolescent Curiosity in Science Class: A mixed methods study of student curiosity across early adolescence and its presence in learning science.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Tisha Morrell
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Cognitive Acceleration and the Science of Learning: In Search of the Plasticity of Intelligence
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Bridging the gap between formal and informal learning: An application of neuroscience to improve student learning outcomes through interest-driven learning
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The Strategies and Practices of Resilience: What Everyone Can Learn from Resilient Undergraduate Students from Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Teacher learning about dialogical pedagogy: A multiple case study of Vietnamese educators from a Bakhtinian perspective
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ian Hardy
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Teacher attribute and student motivation: The exploration of specific attributes of English teachers teaching English as a foreign language in high schools of China
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Yunxia Zhu
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Collaborative Writing in Arabic as a Second Language (ASL) Classrooms in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-method Study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Obaid Hamid
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Communication disorders in primary school students with school refusal behaviour
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Developing Social and Emotional Learning Competencies in Classrooms Implementing the Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support Program: Three Case Studies.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Pre-service teachers' perceptions of cooperative learning in a face-to-face and 3D virtual environment: An exploratory study
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Cooperative Learning (CL) in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Context: Investigating, Learning Outcomes, Processes, and Experiences
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Obaid Hamid
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Saudi Science Teachers' Questioning in Support of Students' Inquiry-learning: Investigating the ESRU Framework
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the out-of-field teaching experience
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Beliefs of early-childhood teachers towards cooperative learning in the chilean context
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
An exploratory investigation of how teachers foster self-regulated learning (SRL) among primary school students
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Adrian Ashman
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Designing a culturally-relevant pedagogy for Confucian heritage culture (CHC) college students: The case of cooperative learning in Vietnam
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Renshaw
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Male ex-inmates living crime-free: A phenomenological study.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The nature of learning support as revealed through the practice of six exemplary Support teachers (learning difficulties) based in Queensland state primary schools
Principal Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Cognitive training, conflict resolution, and exercise: Effects on young adolescents' well-being
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Adrian Ashman
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN IN LONG DAY CARE CENTRES: THE EFFECTS OF TRAINING ON CARERS' PRACTICES
Principal Advisor
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
DOMESTIC ABUSE: COPING STRATEGIES OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Bob Lingard
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
An explorative study of the effect of cooperative learning on creativity in Craft Design and Technology
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
TEACHING AND LEARNING WITHIN THE ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT - A VYGOTSKIAN ANALYSIS
Principal Advisor
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2002
Doctor Philosophy
THE ADJUSTMENT-ADAPTATION OF ASIAN IMMIGRANTS DURING INTERCULTURAL TRANSITION IN BRISBANE
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring Language Learning Strategies and Learners¿ Identities Using WhatsApp Chats to Enhance the Learning of Arabic Grammar in Cooperative Learning Settings Online
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Simone Smala
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
The value of intellectual virtues in critical thinking education
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Ellerton
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The Impact of Learning Environment on Successful Intelligence: Beyond the Understanding of Socioeconomic Status
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski, Associate Professor Jenny Povey
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Mathematics Textbooks as Curriculum Resources: Exploring How the Ministry-Published Textbook Supports Indonesian Teachers in Implementing a Student-Centred Teaching Approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jana Visnovska
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Twice-exceptional children in the classroom: Challenges for teachers and students in Indonesia
Associate Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Subjective Well-Being among Indonesian Students Transitioning to University: a Longitudinal Study of the Influence on Academic Self-Concept
Associate Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Reaching out for people in need: Promotion of emotional resilience for children in disadvantaged communities
Associate Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Enacting Learner Autonomy Policy in English Language Teaching: A Case study in Vietnamese Higher Education
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Obaid Hamid
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
The role of dialogic argumentation in science education for decision-making
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Katie Makar
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Test-takers' contribution to the validation of uses of high-stakes language tests
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan, Associate Professor Obaid Hamid
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Capturing the 'Vibe' in the Classroom: The role of social synchrony in developing connectedness
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Resilience in sport: The development of a resilience program for young athletes
Associate Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
An investigation on students' educational and occupational aspirations in Brunei Darussalam: Teaching and counselling implications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mary McMahon
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Cooperative Learning and Student Engagement: A Collective Case Study in Six High School Classrooms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julie Majella Bower, Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Feedback for learning: A mixed methods study in the upper primary classroom
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Risk, Offending Behaviour and Young People in the Cook Islands: A Study of Cultural Resilience
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Annemaree Carroll
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Improving Quality in Higher Education through Cooperative Learning Pedagogies: An Ethiopian Example
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Catherine Manathunga
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Building a picture of teacher practice promoting student investigation in the chemistry classroom
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
A Universal Evaluation of the Fun FRIENDS Program: Anxiety prevention in Early Childhood.
Associate Advisor
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2013
Master Philosophy
An Exploratory Study of the Teaching for Understanding Framework (TfU) applied to a Year 6 Primary Connections unit.
Associate Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
AN ANALYSIS OF THE NATURE AND QUALITY OF FRIENDSHIP RELATIONSHIPS IN A SAMPLE OF AUSTRALIAN ADOLESCENTS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Adrian Ashman
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
Young people's transitions into and out of homelessness in southeast Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Adrian Ashman
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Robyn Gillies directly for media enquiries about:
- Behaviour - children in schools
- Child behaviour in school
- Discipline - in schools
- Group learning
- Guidance counselling - in schools
- Learning - cooperative group
- School - child behaviour
- School - guidance counselling
- Schools and discipline
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