--- title: The Learning Success Blog | For Principals description: For Principals | The Learning Success Blog --- - [Blog](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog) - [Newsletter](https://www.learningbrainnews.com) - [Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/6bLMNOdd8r3x9Onx9gSubb) - [Free Resources](https://www.learnfasthq.com/free-learning-resources) - [Shop](https://learnfast-products.myshopify.com/) [![LearnFast](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/LearnFast_logo.png?width=150&height=77&name=LearnFast_logo.png "LearnFast")](https://www.learnfasthq.com) - [Programs](https://www.learnfasthq.com/programs) - Results - [The Science](https://www.learnfasthq.com/science) - [The Research](https://www.learnfasthq.com/research) - [Success Stories](https://www.learnfasthq.com/success-stories) - Who we help - [Teacher](https://www.learnfasthq.com/teacher) - [Parent](https://www.learnfasthq.com/parent) - [Business](https://www.learnfasthq.com/business) - [How we help](https://www.learnfasthq.com/how-we-help) - [Connect](https://www.learnfasthq.com/connect) - [Blog](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog) - [Newsletter](https://www.learningbrainnews.com) - [Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/6bLMNOdd8r3x9Onx9gSubb) - [Free Resources](https://www.learnfasthq.com/free-learning-resources) - [Shop](https://learnfast-products.myshopify.com/) # The learning success blog Filter by tag All Fast ForWord Learning Capacity Podcasts Brain Science Learning Capacity Success Stories Auditory Processing Disorder Learning Difficulties Reading Dyslexia For Principals Educational Neuroscience Attention Maths School Autism Spelling Memory Confidence & Resilience English Language Learners Literacy Writing Artificial Intelligence Behaviour Comprehension Adult Brain Fitness Social & Emotional Learning Teaching Posts about # For Principals [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/classroom-g8ed7ace05_1920.jpeg?height=200&name=classroom-g8ed7ace05_1920.jpeg)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/unlocking-literacy-the-case-for-phonics-in-every-classroom) [Learning Difficulties](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-difficulties), [Reading](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/reading), [School](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/school), [Literacy](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/literacy), [Teaching](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/teaching), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [Unlocking Literacy: The Case for Phonics in Every Classroom](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/unlocking-literacy-the-case-for-phonics-in-every-classroom) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/363641/David_Stanley.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/David_Stanley.jpg?width=30&name=David_Stanley.jpg) [David Stanley](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/david-stanley) In the heart of the ongoing "Reading Wars" in Australian education, the battle lines are long drawn, and now the evidence is clear – the key to unlocking literacy lies in the systematic and explicit teaching of phonics. In this article, we will delve into the critical importance of phonics in teaching reading, exploring the latest research, success stories, and the urgent need for a transformative shift in teacher training at the university level. [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/unlocking-literacy-the-case-for-phonics-in-every-classroom) [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hands%20up%20classroom%20uniform%20iStock_000059501620-2.jpeg?height=200&name=hands%20up%20classroom%20uniform%20iStock_000059501620-2.jpeg)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/make-educational-neuroscience-work-in-your-school-7-tips) [Brain Science](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/brain-science), [School](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/school), [Learning Capacity](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [7 Tips - Make Educational Neuroscience Work in Your School](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/make-educational-neuroscience-work-in-your-school-7-tips) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/363641/file-691639901-jpg/Peter_Barnes.106.101.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg?width=30&name=file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) Educators and schools around the world are increasingly using the knowledge, techniques, and programs developed from a new understanding of how our brains learn. They are applying neuroscience in their classrooms. **Why?** As an educator, you might be asking yourself why would I do this in my school? Here are some reasons why. Educational neuroscience can: [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/make-educational-neuroscience-work-in-your-school-7-tips) [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/question-mark-g64671b3ea_1920.jpeg?height=200&name=question-mark-g64671b3ea_1920.jpeg)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/macquarie-unis-musec-briefing-28-academic-vs-real-world-evidence) [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [Macquarie Uni’s MUSEC Briefing # 28: Academic vs Real World Evidence](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/macquarie-unis-musec-briefing-28-academic-vs-real-world-evidence) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/363641/David_Stanley.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/David_Stanley.jpg?width=30&name=David_Stanley.jpg) [David Stanley](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/david-stanley) **If you are considering a product to help your brain or improve academic performance, what evidence would you rely on?** Many people don't want to read research and thus seek a trusted advisor. Sadly, they are often unaware of potential conflicts of interest. A case in point is the Macquarie University's Special Education Centre (MUSEC) brief discussed herein, where Macquarie University crudely used one meta-analysis to support their commercial initiative. Can you rely on MUSEC for an independent, impartial and unbiased opinion? [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/macquarie-unis-musec-briefing-28-academic-vs-real-world-evidence) [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-961366765.jpg?height=200&name=file-961366765.jpg)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/student-learning-capacity-the-missing-link-in-education) [Learning Capacity](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [Building Student Learning Capacity - The Missing Link in Education](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/student-learning-capacity-the-missing-link-in-education) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/363641/file-691639901-jpg/Peter_Barnes.106.101.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg?width=30&name=file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) Have you ever wondered what it would be like if all the students you teach would pay attention and more easily “get” what you are teaching them? That’s impossible, you might say. Perhaps it is, but it’s not impossible to improve the attention and ability to learn for every one of your students. Listen to this podcast “Student [Learning Capacity](https://www.learnfasthq.com/teacher) – The Missing Link in Education” to find out how. **Welcome to the concept of being able to change the learning capacity of students.** [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/student-learning-capacity-the-missing-link-in-education) [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Brainwave%20HiRes%20(3)-1.jpeg?height=200&name=Brainwave%20HiRes%20(3)-1.jpeg)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/educational-neuroscience-a-wave-of-change-for-teachers-students) [Brain Science](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/brain-science), [Learning Capacity](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity), [Educational Neuroscience](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/educational-neuroscience), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [Educational Neuroscience:  A Wave of Change for Teachers & Students](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/educational-neuroscience-a-wave-of-change-for-teachers-students) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/363641/file-691639901-jpg/Peter_Barnes.106.101.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg?width=30&name=file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) Is educational neuroscience a legitimate area of knowledge which can help teachers and students, or is it mostly "neurobabble" as some articles in the [Melbourne Age](http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/children-with-learning-difficulties-need-programs-based-on-science-not-anecdote-and-neurobabble-20150902-gjdhp6.html) and in [The Conversation](http://theconversation.com/so-much-talk-about-the-brain-in-education-is-meaningless-47102?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Weekend+Conversation+-+3375&utm_content=The+Weekend+Conversation+-+3375+CID_4118e008986a67ccfada679e27f0e800&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=So%20much%20talk%20about%20the%20brain%20in%20education%20is%20meaningless) have recently suggested? The authors of both these articles correctly point out that there is an increasing amount of brain-based language in education discussions. And also that much of the 'brain' and 'neuro' language being used has little scientific basis. But that does not mean all discussion of the role of neuroscience in education should be dismissed as useless "neurobabble". In fact educational neuroscience is now a recognised scientific discipline which is being studied in some of the world's leading universities including Stanford, Columbia and Vanderbilt in the USA and Cambridge University in the UK. [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/educational-neuroscience-a-wave-of-change-for-teachers-students) [![tech learning logo.png](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tech%20learning%20logo.png?height=200&name=tech%20learning%20logo.png)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/fast-forword123-rated-highly-by-techlearning.com) [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [Fast ForWord123 rated highly by techlearning.com](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/fast-forword123-rated-highly-by-techlearning.com) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/363641/file-691639901-jpg/Peter_Barnes.106.101.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg?width=30&name=file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) The neuroscience-based language & learning improvement program, Fast ForWord123 (including the Fast ForWord cognitive, language and reading development modules plus Reading Assistant, the online reading coach) was recently rated by**[techlearning.com](http://www.techlearning.com/resources/0003/fast-forword-with-reading-assistant/70630).** Here is a summary of the techlearning.com rating: **OVERALL RATING:** **Unique features** and technology**, sophisticated reporting,** real-time feedback**, interactive resources,** and a broad range of reading passages **in an intuitive and easy-to-use program** all help teachers understand when and where students are struggling and **help students gain the skills they need to be successful readers.** **Suitability for Use in a School Environment: ** [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/fast-forword123-rated-highly-by-techlearning.com) [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-1227582.jpg?height=200&name=blog-1227582.jpg)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/250-research-studies-published-on-fast-forword-clear-fluency) [English Language Learners](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/english-language-learners), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [Educational Neuroscience](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/educational-neuroscience), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [250 Research Studies Published on Fast ForWord & Clear Fluency](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/250-research-studies-published-on-fast-forword-clear-fluency) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/363641/file-691639901-jpg/Peter_Barnes.106.101.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg?width=30&name=file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) How do you usually make decisions when you are thinking about an important purchase such as a car or a large household item like a refrigerator or washing machine? Do you base your decisions on: 1. How you feel (“I really like it”)? 2. What others say about it? 3. Comparisons of facts and data (fuel consumption, energy efficiency, reports by independent consumer organisations)? 4. A combination of all of these. **Decisions about educational software** [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/250-research-studies-published-on-fast-forword-clear-fluency) [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/school-g97a8776d8_1920.jpg?height=200&name=school-g97a8776d8_1920.jpg)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/double-teaching-as-usual-reading-gain-146-nsw-primary-students) [Reading](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/reading), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [Double " teaching as usual" reading gain - 146 NSW primary students](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/double-teaching-as-usual-reading-gain-146-nsw-primary-students) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/363641/file-691639901-jpg/Peter_Barnes.106.101.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg?width=30&name=file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) Here is how a primary school achieved double the reading gain one would normally expect. **Picture this**:  Following a half day professional development session, "[Glasses for the Ears](https://learnfast-products.myshopify.com/products/glasses-for-the-ears)" where the teachers discovered how their students could become better learners by using neuroscience, students of all abilities from Grades 2 to 6 were enrolled in the Fast ForWord neuroscience-based program. The teachers who volunteered to implement the program received more detailed ongoing training and support. [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/double-teaching-as-usual-reading-gain-146-nsw-primary-students) [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/brain%20-%20from%20poverty%20infographic.png?height=200&name=brain%20-%20from%20poverty%20infographic.png)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/how-poverty-disadvantage-impacts-learning-of-730000-children) [Learning Difficulties](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-difficulties), [Learning Capacity](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [How Poverty & Disadvantage Impacts Learning for 730,000 Children](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/how-poverty-disadvantage-impacts-learning-of-730000-children) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/363641/file-691639901-jpg/Peter_Barnes.106.101.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg?width=30&name=file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) More than 730,000 children in Australia are living below the poverty line. These disadvantaged children are at risk of having their learning compromised. The Poverty in Australia 2016 Report, released last week, found the number of children living in poverty is increasing. The report was written by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) in collaboration with the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales. Find out how poverty and disadvantage can disrupt learning – see this infographic (courtesy of We Are Teachers and Scientific Learning Corporation). [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/how-poverty-disadvantage-impacts-learning-of-730000-children) [![](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Living_proof.jpg?height=200&name=Living_proof.jpg)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/what-is-neuroplasticity-and-how-does-it-impact-education-infographic) [Educational Neuroscience](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/educational-neuroscience), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [What is Neuroplasticity & How Does It Impact Education?  (Infographic)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/what-is-neuroplasticity-and-how-does-it-impact-education-infographic) ![Picture of http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/363641/file-691639901-jpg/Peter_Barnes.106.101.jpg](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg?width=30&name=file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) “Everything having to do with human training and education has to be re-examined in light of neuroplasticity". (Norman Doidge, author of **"The Brain That Changes Itself”**). What is neuroplasticity? It is the understanding that experiences are able to change our brains, and that our brain’s structure and capacity are not fixed. The eminent neuroscientist, **[Dr Michael Merzenich](http://www.kavliprize.org/prizes-and-laureates/laureates/michael-m-merzenich)**, widely known as “the father of neuroplasticity”, recently shared the $1million [**Kavli Prize**](http://www.kavliprize.org/prizes-and-laureates/prizes/2016-kavli-prize-neuroscience) for his contribution to this understanding. Neuroplasticity offers the prospect of new ways to improve learning and education, physical rehabilitation, mental illnesses and addiction. An excellent infographic explaining neuroplasticity has been produced by **[Alta Mira](https://www.altamirarecovery.com/),** a San Francisco rehabilitation and recovery centre.    The infographic includes this comment about education: [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/what-is-neuroplasticity-and-how-does-it-impact-education-infographic) Prev [1](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog) [2](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals/page/2) [Next](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals/page/2) [![LearnFast](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/LearnFast_logo.png?width=150&height=77&name=LearnFast_logo.png "LearnFast")](https://www.learnfasthq.com/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/LearnFastGroup/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://au.linkedin.com/company/learnfastgroup) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.youtube.com/user/learnfasteducation) Connect with Us: **Phone:** 02 8467 4888 Email: info@learnfastgroup.com.au --- Copyright © 2026, LearnFast A & NZ [Privacy Policy](https://www.learnfasthq.com/privacy-policy) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=399243313606159&ev=PageView&noscript=1)