When you register for this event you will be added to the Think Forward Educators email list.
Explicit Teaching and Problem Solving, Using the Instructional Hierarchy
This session explores the essential role of the Instructional Hierarchy in supporting effective learning. Sean unpacks its four stages and outlines how different teaching approaches align with each phase of learning. Using practical examples from primary classrooms, he demonstrates how the framework can inform lesson planning and delivery to support equitable outcomes for all students. The session also tackles a key question in education: when to teach explicitly and when to use a problem-solving approach—highlighting the value of both within the learning process.
Sean Alston
Sean currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert in Mathematics at the Department of Education, where he plays a key role in the development of curriculum resources for the Victorian Lesson Plans (VLPs), aligned with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0. His career in education spans a range of leadership and instructional roles, including classroom teacher, instructional leader, Numeracy Learning Specialist, and most recently, Assistant Principal.
Sean's commitment to education was ignited during his early teaching experiences overseas, particularly in Nepal, the Maldives, and Ethiopia. These formative years shaped his enduring dedication to educational equity and excellence.
He has a strong interest in cognitive science and the science of learning and is deeply committed to building teacher capacity. Sean is particularly focused on enhancing student outcomes in the primary years, recognising this as a critical foundation for long-term academic success.