Research projects

This section contains copies of recent research relevant to Big Picture conducted by parties outside of the organisation.

The core function of Big Picture Education Australia is the transformation of education in response to a rapidly-changing world. Over 65 Big Picture (BP) Learning network schools have been created in the USA since 1995, with many more operating internationally. Since 2006, BPEA has been providing an alternative education pathway for students with a disability in 10 schools in NSW (over 40 Australia-wide).

The current world dynamic surrounding COVID-19 has resulted in unprecedented changes to our lives. With our schools under lockdown, we were presented with a unique opportunity to examine Learning From Home arrangements for students. We felt that Big Picture students were well placed to adjust to the changes and transition to the “new normal”. To investigate this, students, advisors and parents were consulted via surveys to determine the impact on student learning outcomes and well-being during this time.

Big Picture Learning has been part of numerous research and evaluation projects since inception.

Some of those are listed below.

In 2015 the NSW Department of Education initiated an evaluation of the implementation of Big Picture Education Australia (BPEA) philosophy and design at Cooks Hill Campus of Newcastle High School.

The research was undertaken by School Policy and Information Management Unit, Learning & Business Systems Directorate, NSW Department of Education.

Key findings were that students, parents and teachers were very supportive of the education provided at Cooks Hill Campus.

Professor Barry Down presented at the 2016 Big Picture National Conference in Fremantle. The presentation addresses four key questions:

• Why are students disengaging from mainstream schooling?

• What are students learning in Big Picture Advisory?

• What practices support student engagement for learning?

• What can I do next?

The "Secondary Engagement Evaluation Project in Low SES Schools" research report to the Western Australian Department of Education referneced in this presentation is available for download below.

In June 2016 Big Picture Education Australia (BPEA) completed a survey of Big Picture schools, in part drawing on questions we have asked in past years, especially during the 2011-14 evaluation. Nine schools completed the survey. Given the diversity of these schools and BPEA schools in general it remains difficult to aggregate most findings. However, the information gained from this survey provides valuable insights into the achievement of schools and into some changes over the last few years. In this report, school names have been removed so the data is anonymous.