Educate to Self-Regulate

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, Nidean Dickson and Dr Shyam Barr explore how task value—understanding the why behind learning—drives both motivation and self-regulation. Drawing on recent research and classroom experience, we unpack why "poor motivation equals poor self-regulation" and offer practical strategies educators can use immediately. In this episode, you'll lea...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, Nidean Dickson and I (Dr Shyam Barr) celebrate the podcast's milestone 45th episode and dive into Carl Hendrick's UNESCO paper on Responsive Teaching. We share self-regulation stories from busy terms—my reflections from the Thought Leader Series Queensland workshops with Dr Amy Berry, and Nidean's classroom refinements to self-regulated l...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, I'm joined by my friend and co-host Nidean Dickson to explore an important question for today’s classrooms: How do we move from thinking routines and good questions to genuine self-regulated learning and authentic engagement? Many classrooms appear engaged on the surface. Students follow routines, raise their hands, and complete tasks. But this vis...

Hello everyone! Welcome to 2026. In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my annual reflection process—how I review 2025, set intentional goals for 2026, and even choose one guiding word for the year. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ How to reflect on the past year to gain clarity and insight ✔️ How to set intentional goals that guide your teaching and lead...

In this final episode of Educate to Self-Regulate for the year, and my first solo episode, I’m diving into one of the most important phases of self-regulated learning: Metacognitive self-reflection. As we wrap up 2025, I’m unpacking: • Why planning–monitoring–evaluating really matters • How metacognitive prompts can deepen your own learning • Practical tools like PMI, SWOT, and Start–Stop–Continue...

In this special long-form episode of Educate to Self-Regulate: Deep Dive, I sit down with world-renowned inquiry educator Kath Murdoch for a rich and thoughtful conversation about how inquiry approaches can support students' self-regulated learning. Together, we unpack what it means to take an inquiry stance—not just investigating topics, but guiding students to inquire into themselves as lea...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, I'm joined once again by my friend Nidean Dickson as we unpack the emerging role of the Process Coach, a leader who brings together coaching, expertise, coordination, and a deep commitment to learning. We explore insights from new 2025 research on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) from the article "Professionalising Schools on Self-Regu...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, I'm joined by Rebecca Russell-Saunders (Professional Learning Coach) and Samantha Dowsing (Lead Teacher) from Wesley College to explore how self-regulated learning (SRL) can transform both classrooms and whole-school culture. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ The key difference between self-regulated and self-directed learning and why it matte...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, I sit down with Lauren Munday, secondary school Health and PE teacher, author of Mastering Your Mind for Success, and founder of Think Set Go. We explore why goal setting is the easy part, but goal pursuit is where students often stumble, and how Lauren's Think Set Go framework equips young people with focus, resilience, and motivation to keep goin...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self-Regulate', I am joined by Michael Rosenbrock, experienced science educator, former Assistant Principal, and implementation advisor with over 15 years' experience in schools. Together, we explore how metacognition can become a natural part of the science classrooms and beyond. From confronting student misconceptions to structuring deeper reflection...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self-Regulate', I sit down with Nidean Dickson, Dean of Professional Teaching at Brigidine College, Queensland, to explore how learning journals can support self-regulated learning (SRL) by helping students reflect more deeply and engage with the learning process in meaningful ways. Nidean shares how she introduced journals to her Year 11 and 12 students, c...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self-Regulate', I’m joined by seasoned educator Taleasha Bray from Bonython Primary School, one of my long-time school partners! Taleasha shares how her school has successfully embedded self-regulated learning (SRL) into their curriculum over the past three years. Together, we explore practical strategies that are helping her Year 5 and 6 students become mo...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, I'm joined by Amelia King, Director of Ed Tech and Innovation at Dulwich College, Shanghai Puxi. Amelia shares her journey, revealing what drew her to the fascinating intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), metacognition, and self-regulated learning. In this episode, you'll learn: •  How AI acts as a co-regulatory 'talk partner&apos...

In episode 33 of Educate to Self-regulate, we pick up where we left off in episode 32, continuing our deep dive into the Smart Study program at Queenwood with Rebecca Birch. Rebecca and I discuss how education leaders can implement a self-regulated learning initiative in schools, drawing on learning from the Queenwood Smart Study. She highlights the importance of understanding underlying challenge...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, I (Dr Shyam Barr) chat self-regulated learning with Rebecca Birch, a teacher, researcher and Academic in Residence at Queenwood school in NSW, Australia. Rebecca is passionate about the power of explicit instruction—not just for academic success, but for building lifelong learning habits. Join us as we explore Queenwood’s Smart Study Program, a research...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, Matt Pittman - educator, author of The Connection Curriculum, and Head of School at Catholic Regional College, Caroline Springs - joined me to unpack why genuine connection between students, staff, and parents is the foundation of an effective learning environment—and how it directly supports self-regulated learning. Want students to better self-regulat...

In this episode of "Educate to Self-Regulate", Shy and Rory share their "one word of the year" to guide their focus in 2025. They also reflect on personal highlights from previous episodes that have deeply impacted both their lives and the audience. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️How choosing a focus word for the year can help align your actions, thoughts, and intentions...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self-Regulate', Shy and Rory discuss a novel apprach to developing self-regualted learning skills in schools around Australia. While not common practice, some trailblazing schools, committed to fostering SRL skills in their students, now deliver SRL programs / courses as part of their regular timetabling at school. Does it work? How do schools make it happe...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self-Regulate', Shy and Rory discuss what is required for effective professional learning about SRL. Specifically, they discuss a recent research paper to consider what elements are important when trying to support teachers to incorproate more SRL instructional practices in their classrooms. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ The key mechanisms required...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self-Regulate', Shy and Rory discuss explicit teaching of SRL strategies, which is the focus of Chapter 4 in Shy's book, Educate to Self-Regulate. It's been a while since they have caught up to record an episode, and this one is packed with useful tips for teachers who want their students to become better self-regulated learners. In this episode,...

In this episode of Educate to Self-Regulate, Shy welcomes Greshma Momaya, principal of Prarthana. In World School in India. With 17 years of experience and a deep passion for self-regulated learning, Greshma shares her journey from a reluctant student to an educator who champions independence in learning. Greshma offers invaluable insights into how her school is fostering self-regulation, from med...

In this episode of ‘Educate to Self-Regulate’, Shyam interviews Mathew Green. You may know Mat as the host of the popular ‘The Art of Teaching Podcast’, but he also works as an assistant principal in New South Wales. In the early days of ETSR, Mat offered Shy and Rory lots of advice and encouragement to help get their podcast off the ground, so it was amazing to have him on the show to hear about...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self-Regulate', Shy and Rory unpack some key implications of Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO)'s latest practice guide on Supporting Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) 🧠📚 The article is a fantastic prompt to support conversations about teaching SRL in schools. T& L leaders may consider setting it as professional reading with a thinking...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self-Regulate', hosts Shyam and Rory delve into the challenges and strategies of effective time management. Rory shares his current battle with overstepping time blocks, leading to a discussion on the importance of setting realistic goals and respecting time limits. In this episode, you will learn: ✔️ Strategies for effective time management ✔️ How to shift...

In this episode of 'Educate to Self Regulate', Shyam and Rory share their musings on the current debate on the Science of Learning (SoL). In this fireside chat, the duo explore the multifaceted nature of the SoL, discussing not only cognitive strategies, but motivational and metacogntive aspects too. Together, Shy and Rory consider that it may be restrictive to view the Science of Learni...