The PEN Principles have been developed to enable ease of use by teachers, students and parents. The resources not only provide valuable information but provide teachers, students and parents a chance to blog and share conversation. Use the links below to access the Teaching & Learning Toolkit approaches mapped to each PEN Principle.
Evidence for Learning works with organisations to map the Teaching & Learning Toolkit to their school improvement frameworks.
The Science of Learning Research Centre (SLRC) was established in 2013, funded as an Australian Research Council Special Research Initiative, with the vision to improve learning outcomes at pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary levels through scientifically-validated learning tools and strategies. The SLRC brings together more than 100 neuroscientists, psychologists and education researchers from across the country, collaborating on programs to better understand learning, using a range of innovative experimental techniques and programs.
PEN Principles
| PEN Principle #1 | Written text and spoken word don't mix |
| PEN Principle #2 | Visual Images and Spoken Word Mix Well |
| PEN Principle #3 | Spatial Predictability Guides Attention |
| PEN Principle #4 | Spacing-Out Practice Enhances Memory |
| PEN Principle #5 | Leverage Context according to Outcome |
| PEN Principle #6 | Multitasking Impairs Memory & Learning |
| PEN Principle #7 | Mix-Up Practice Tasks to Boost Performance |
| PEN Principle #8 | Embrace Error to Improve Learning |
| PEN Principle #9 | Active Recall Trumps Passive Review |
| PEN Principle #10 | First Impressions Colour Future Judgement |
| PEN Principle #11 | Find the Story Behind the Fact |
| PEN Principle #12 | Pre-Activate Strategies to Guide Learning |
The complete Teaching & Learning Toolkit can be accessed here.
