18 Jul 2025
Helping every child succeed: VTLM 2.0
The new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0 enhances the work of teachers, and the changes will help every child succeed on their learning journey.
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Why are things changing?
Schools are updating their teaching practices to align with the best evidence about how students learn.
The VTLM 2.0 is based on years of research and experience about the most effective teaching strategies.
The new model focuses on 2 components:
- Elements of learning
- Elements of teaching.
Elements of learning: how students learn
The elements of learning are based on research into how the brain learns:
- Attention and focus – learning starts when students are engaged and focused. Teachers create environments that reduce distractions and help students pay attention.
- Knowledge and memory – new learning builds on what we already know. Teachers help students remember previous lessons and link them to new ideas.
- Retention and recall – practice makes permanent,but only when done correctly. Teachers use strategies like spacing, quizzing, and revisiting key concepts to help students remember more over time.
- Mastery and application – students learn best when they can apply knowledge in real-world ways. Teachers ask open-ended questions, problem solving, and peer collaboration to help students apply learning.
Learn more: Victorian teaching and learning information for parents and carers
Elements of teaching: how teachers teach
Schools are focusing on step-by-step or explicit teaching and apply this approach to help students understand, use and remember what they learn.
This means teachers generally start each lesson by clearly explaining what students will learn and why it matters. They break content into smaller steps and actively check for understanding.
Students then practice what they have learnt using different ways over time. This helps them retain information in the long term and apply it with confidence.
How can families support their children’s learning?
Schools are investing in proven strategies that support all learners. As a parent or carer, you can play a key role by asking some questions at home.
| 10 Questions to ask your child about their learning: | |
|---|---|
| 1 | What was a learning goal in class today? |
| 2 | Can you explain it to me in your own words? |
| 3 | What helped you understand it better? |
| 4 | What examples were shared with the class? |
| 5 | What’s one mistake you fixed today? |
| 6 | How did you practice what you learned? |
| 7 | How would you explain your learning to others? |
| 8 | What did you review or remember from earlier lessons? |
| 9 | How do you know if you’re getting better at something? |
| 10 | What’s a question you still have about today’s learning? |
The Academy is grateful to Parents Victoria for their expert advice in producing this guide.
This document has been prepared by the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership (the Academy). The Academy reserves any moral rights of integrity in this text and publishes it on the basis that it may be used, provided it is not altered or adapted for use without the express permission of the Academy. Please note that the Further Reading (References) section is provided for attribution only and not subject to the terms of the Creative Commons Licence. No representations are made as to the accessibility or copyright ownership of the publications listed and they are solely provided as alternative sources of knowledge relevant to the topic. Content edited and up-to-date as at July 2025.
