Dr Jill Robbins (Faculty of Education, Monash)

Job title:	Senior Lecturer
Qualifications:	PhD; MEd Studs; BA (Calif); DipMKTC

Location:	Peninsula, building A3, room 23
Phone:	+61 3 990 44258

Email:	Jill.Robbins@Education.monash.edu.au Jill.Robbins@Education.monash.edu.au
Fax:	N/A

Teaching commitment

Research Interests

Young children's thinking; Sociocultural theory and its application to research and teaching; Sociocultural Perspectives on Early Childhood Education; Young children's understanding of natural phenomena; The role of grandparents in supporting young children's learning; Interviewing children; Early childhood science; Mathematics in preschool; Issues in early childhood education.

Professional Associations

Supervision

Between generations: Exploring the dynamics of value transfer and/or transmission using a cultural-historical theoretical framework

Bilingual goal attainment and challenges of one parent one language and second language approaches of families

A comparison of early childhood curriculum guidelines in Thailand and Victoria, Australia

Community-based preschool in Victoria: A postmodern critique of the teacher's voice

Science curriculum in Victoria: How teachers present the curriculum, how students interpret it

Outside school literacy and numeracy: A study of primary teachers to see the richness and potential of children's outside school experiences.

Publications

Robbins, J. (2008) A Vygotskian analysis of young children's thinking. Paper presented at the Sixteenth Annual Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference, Monash University, 22nd-23rd January, 2008

Robbins, J. (2008) The mediation of young children's thinking about natural phenomena through conversation and drawing. Paper presented at the Thirty-ninth Annual Conference of the Australasian Science Education Research Association, Brisbane 2nd-5th July, 2008

Hunting, R. P., Bobis, J., Doig, B., English, L., Mousley, J., Mulligan, J., Papic, M., Pearn, C., Perry, R., Robbins, J., Wright, R., & Young-Loveridge, J. (Eds.), (2008) Mathematical thinking of preschool children in rural and regional Australia: Research and practice. Final Report to the National Centre of Science, Information Technology, and Mathematics Education in Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR). La Trobe University: Bendigo.

Robbins, J. (2007) Young children thinking and talking: Using sociocultural theory for multi-layered analysis. Learning and Socio-cultural theory: Exploring modern Vygotskian perspectives international workshop. Wollongong: University of Wollongong. http://ro.uow.edu.au/llrg

Jane, B. & Robbins, J. (2007)Listening to the voices of grandparents: Furthering the debate on values education. Fully refereed paper presented at the 2007 Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education. Fremantle, WA, July, 2007. http://www.aare.edu.au/07pap/jan07414.pdf

Jane, B. & Robbins, J. (2007) Intergenerational learning: grandparents teaching everyday concepts in science and technology. Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, 8, 1. http://www.ied.edu.hk/apfslt/

Hills, K. & Robbins, J. (2007) Why is the tree crying? A case study of grandparents supporting everyday learning in science and technology. Paper presented at the fifteenth annual Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference, Monash University, Melbourne, January 23rd to 25th, 2007

Fleer, M. & Robbins, J. (2007)A cultural-historical analysis of early childhood education: How do teachers appropriate new cultural tools? European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 15, 1, pp.103-119.

Fleer, M., Edwards, S., Hammer, M., Kennedy, A., Ridgway, A., Robbins, J. and Surman, L. (2006) Early Childhood Learning Communities: Sociocultural research in practice. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.

Fleer, M. & Robbins, J. (2006) Working in the zone: New insights into the zone of proximal development. In M. Fleer et al. (Eds.) Early Childhood Learning Communities: Sociocultural research in practice. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia, pp.27-43.

Fleer, M. & Robbins, J. (2006) Diversity in the context of universal early childhood education: Family involvement of family exclusion? In M. Fleer et al. (Eds.) Early Childhood Learning Communities: Sociocultural research in practice. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia, pp.57-69.

Robbins, J., Hammer, M. & Fleer, M. (2006) Broadening the lens on diversity. In M. Fleer et al. (Eds.) Early Childhood Learning Communities: Sociocultural research in practice. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia, pp.70-79.

Fleer, M., Hammer, M. & Robbins, J. (2006) Joining the academy. In M. Fleer et al. (Eds.) Early Childhood Learning Communities: Sociocultural research in practice. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia, pp.228-234.

Robbins, J. & Jane, B. 'Granddad, where does the sea go when the tide goes out?' Grandparents supporting young children's thinking in science and technology. Journal of Australian Research in Early Childhood Education, 13(2), pp.13-33.

Jane, B. & Robbins, J. (2006)Whose values are being promoted in technology eductaion? - A case for family values. Conference proceedings of the 4th Biennial International Conference of Technology Education Research Griffith University, Gold Coast. 7th-9th December, 2006.

Robbins, J. (2006) A sociocultural perspective on young childrens thinking: An analysis of conversation, collaboration, contexts and cultural tools. Paper presented at the thirty-seventh annual conference of the Australasian Science Education Research Association, Canberra, ACT 5th-8th July, 2006.

Robbins, J. & Jane, B. (2006) Intergenerational learning: Grandparents supporting young childrens learning in science. Paper presented at the thirty-seventh annual conference of the Australasian Science Education Research Association, Canberra, ACT 5th-8th July, 2006.

Jane, B. & Robbins, J. R. ( 2006 ) Grandparents teaching science and technology in informal contexts. In Suan Yoong, Mokhtar Ismail, Ahmad Nurulazam Md Zain, Fatimah Salleh,Fong Soon Fook, Lim Chap Sam, Melissa Ng Leen Yan (Eds)Proceedings of IOSTE Symposium (pp. 539-544 ) Malaysia School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia 9832700396 Penang, Malaysia 2006

Robbins, J. (2006) Conversation with Children: Reconceptualising analysis from a sociocultural perspective. Paper presented at the fourteenth annual Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference, Monash University, Melbourne, January 23rd to 25th, 2006.

Robbins, J. (2006) Intergenerational Learning. Vic Education Magazine, Term 1, 2006, pp.14-15. West Perth: Western Australia Publishers. Reprinted in: WA Education Magazine, NSW Education Magazine, QLD Education Magazine.

Robbins, J. (2005) 'Brown Paper Packages?' A sociocultural perspective on young children's ideas in science. Research in Science Education, 35(2-3), pp.151-172.

Robbins, J. (2005) Contexts, Collaboration, and Cultural Tools: A sociocultural perspective on researching children' thinking. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 6 (2), pp.140-149.

Fleer, M. & Robbins, J. (2005) The interlacing of everyday knowledge and schooled learning: A socio-historical analysis of family enactments of literacy and numeracy versus early childhood teachers perceptions of learning in home contexts. Paper presented at the first International Society for Cultural and Activity Research Conference, Seville, Spain, 20th to 24th September, 2005.

Robbins, J. (2005) When the night has come, and the land is dark: a sociocultural perspective on young children's thinking. Paper presented at the 15th annual European Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference, Dublin, Ireland, August 31st to September 3rd, 2005.

Robbins, J. (2005) Interweaving the stitch and the fabric: a sociocultural perspective on researching children's thinking. Paper presented at the thirty-first annual conference of the British Educational Research Association, University of Glamorgan, Treforest, Pontypridd, Wales, September 14th to 17th, 2005.

Robbins, J. & Jane, B. (2005) Granddad, why are there dead jellyfish on the beach?: sociocultural perspectives on grandparents supporting childrens learning in science and technology. Paper presented at the fifteenth annual European Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference, Dublin, Ireland, August 31st to September 3rd, 2005.

Robbins, J. & Jane, B. (2005) Just spending time talking: a sociocultural perspective on grandparents support of young childrens learning in science and technology. Paper presented at the 31st annual conference of the British Educational Research Association, University of Glamorgan, Treforest, Pontypridd, Wales ~ 14th to 17th September, 2005.

Robbins, J. & Jane, B. (2005) Talk about special things. Professional Educator, 4 (2), pp.14-15

Robbins, J. & Jane, B. (2005) Granddad, where does the sea go when the tide goes out?: Grandparents supporting young childrens thinking in science and technology.Paper presented at the thirteenth annual Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference. Monash University, Melbourne, January 19th-21st, 2005

Fleer, M., & Robbins, J. (2004). Learning the Landscape: A sociocultural analysis of family enactments of literacy and numeracy within the official script of middle class early childhood discourse. Paper presented at the International Society for Cultural And Activity Research 2004, Wollongong.

Fleer, M., & Robbins, J. (2004). Yeah what they teach you at Uni, it's just rubbish: the participatory appropriation of new cultural tools as early childhood student teachers move from a developmental to a sociocultural framework for observing and planning. Journal of Australian Research in Early Childhood Education, 11(1), 47-62.

Clarke, B., & Robbins, J. (2004). Numeracy Enacted: Preschool Families Conceptions of Their Children's Engagements with Numeracy. in I. Putt, R, Faragher & M. McLean (Eds.) Mathematics education for the third millenium: Towards 2010. Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Vol.1, pp.175-182. Townsville, Queensland: MERGA

Fleer, M., Jane, B., & Robbins, J. (2004). Designerly Thinking. Early Childhood Folio, 8, 29-33.

Robbins, J (2004) Researching Childrens Thinking: Attending to contexts, collaboration and cultural tools. Paper presented at the Twelfth Annual Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference, Monash University, Peninsula Campus, 22nd to 23rd January, 2004.

Fleer, M. & Robbins, J. (2004) Beyond ticking the boxes: From individual developmental domains to a sociocultural framework for observing young children. New Zealand Research in Early Childhood Education, 7, pp.23-39.

Fleer, M. & Robbins, J (2004) Cultural-historical Theory within the early Years: The cultural nature of pedagogy within the context of a triple move in teaching. Paper presented at the Sociocultural and Activity Theory Seminar, hosted by the Centre for Childhood Studies, 27th November 2004, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Fleer, M. & Robbins, J. (2004) Broadening the Circumference: A sociocultural analysis of family enactments of literacy and numeracy within the official script of middle class discourse. Outlines, 6 (2) , pp.17-34

Jane, B. & Robbins, J. (2004) Intergenerational Science: Grandparents encouraging childrens curiosity. Every Child, 10 (4), pp.8-9.

Jane, B. & Robbins, J. (2004) Block Play as a Potential for Learning for Innovation in Technology Education in Early Childhood Classrooms. In H. Middleton, M. Pavlova & D. Roebuck (Eds.) Learning for Innovation in Technology Education, Vol.2 (pp.60-67). Surfers Paradise, Qld.: Centre for Learning Research, Griffiths University.

Jane, B. & Robbins, J. (2004) Grandparents Supporting Childrens Thinking in Technology. Paper presented at the 2004 Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education. Melbourne, Australia, 28th November to 2nd December, 2004.

Robbins, J. (2003). The more he looked inside the more piglet wasn't there: what adopting a sociocultural perspective can help us see. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 28(2), 1-7.

Robbins, J. (2003). Moving through understanding rather than to understanding: a sociocultural perspective on young children's conceptions of the rain. Journal of Australian Research into Early Childhood Education, 10(1), 93-108.

Fleer, M., & Robbins, J. (2003). Editorial - Understanding our youngest scientific and technological thinkers: understanding developments in early childhood science education. Research in Science Education, 33(4), 399-404.

Fleer, M., & Robbins, J. (2003). "Hit and run research" with "hit and miss" results in early childhood education. Research in Science Education, 33(04), 405-431.

Fleer, M., & Robbins, J. (2003, Dec 2003). 'My teacher exclaims "that's stupid!" and rolls her eyes: The risks and dilemmas of student teachers working in two communities of practice. Paper presented at the International Education Research Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Fleer, M., & Robbins, J. (2003). Student teachers as leaders of teacher renewal: participatory appropriation of sociocultural practices rather than pedagogical reproduction. Paper presented at the 48th World Assembly of the International Council on Education for Teachers, Melbourne, Australia.

Robbins, J. (2002) Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax - Taking a Sociocultural Approach to Interviewing Young Children. New Zealand Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, 2002, Vol. 5, pp. 13 - 30. Republished at: http://www.childforum.com/ec_article_details.asp?REF_NO=8

Robbins, J. (2001). 'My Mummy Can Tell Me Other Things and I'll be Able to Tell You': Interviewing Children to Find Out What They Understand. Paper presented at the Ninth Annual Conference of Australian Research in Early Childhood Education. Canberra, ACT. 27-28 January, 2001.

Robbins, J. (2000). What's Mr. Whiskers Got to Do with the Sun? The Importance of Finding out What Children Understand. High Expectations: Outstanding Achievements. Conference Proceedings of the Early Years of Schooling P-4 Conference. 4-5 July; 12-13 November, 2000.

Robbins, J. (2000).'It Isn't Raining on Wednesdays!': Young Children's Explanations of Natural Phenomena. Paper presented at the Eighth Annual Conference of Australian Research in Early Childhood Education. Canberra, ACT. 29-30 January, 2000.

Robbins, J. and Kennedy, A .(1998). Learning to Teach in Australia: An innovative approach to an upgrading program for overseas trained teachers. In M Fleer and S Dockett (Eds). Quality Tertiary Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education. Canberra: University of Canberra, 59 -68.

Robbins, J. (1997). Challenges of Understanding Children's Thinking. The Early Years - Embracing the Challenges. Conference Proceedings of the 1997 Early Years of Schooling Conference, Melbourne: Department of Education, 19-21.

Robbins, J. (1997). A Study of Separation Anxiety on Commencement at Preschool. Australian Journal of Ealy Childhood, 22 (1), 19-24.

Robbins, J. (1996). Excellence in Child Care Services: Quality Indicators. In Kim P.L. (Ed.) Buku Proseding: Seminar Pendidikan Awal Kanak-Kanak. Pulau Pinang: Universiti Sains Malaysia, 12-18.