In this workshop students will learn how a strong theory of change model can enhance the development and evaluation of educational interventions. Students will learn about the different components of a theory of change, such as inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact. They will also gain hands-on experience in developing their own theory of change for a specific educational intervention. By the end of the workshop, students will have a better understanding of how to use a theory of change to plan, implement, and evaluate educational interventions.

Life history (LH) theory, originating from biology, is an all-encompassing framework for understanding animal development and, in recent years, has gained increasing recognition by psychology and education researchers in the study of child development and education. The primary objective of this workshop is to provide a comprehensive exposition and thorough explanation of LH theory and research, focusing particularly on its application within the realms of child development and education. By the end of the workshop, participants will not only develop a solid understanding of LH theory and its relevance to human development and education but will also feel inspired to incorporate its principles into their own research projects.

In this workshop you will learn about the use of case study methodology to elicit grassroots perspectives to inform the updating of national early years curriculum. Professor Irvine will share an overview of the recent Approved Learning Framework (ALFs) Update project that she worked on to inform changes to the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). A key component of the design was the Phase 3 case studies in 16 diverse early childhood education and care settings across Australia. Working in close collaboration with government, service providers, teachers and educators, the aim of the pilot was to test the proposed curriculum changes in practice. In this workshop, you will learn about the design of the pilot, data collection methods situated in everyday practice, including the collection of curriculum documentation,  educator video diaries and end of pilot focus groups; and team process for the analysis of multiple data sources.