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Dr Susan Main

Senior Lecturer

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 6528
Email: s.main@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Mount Lawley  
Room: ML16.123  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5955-4222

Dr Susan Main is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University.

Background

She specialises in inclusive and special education, literacy intervention, and teacher professional learning. Dr Main is known for delivering quality student experiences, mentoring future educators, and leading impactful research projects that address national and international educational priorities. She collaborates with community, industry, and global academic partners to improve educational practices, particularly for students with diverse learning needs. Her research is published in national and international journals and she has contributed to shaping policy and practice through her academic, editorial, and professional service contributions.

Professional Associations

  • 2020 - Current Institute of Special Educators (InSpEd), Board Member (National)
  • 2019 - Current Institute of Special Educators (InSpEd), Member of the Panel of Experts (National)
  • 2019 - Current Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA)
  • 2011- Current Australian Association of Special Education (AASE), WA President and National Council Member
  • 2010 - 2014 Sexuality Education Counselling and Consultancy Agency (SECCA), Board member (WA)
  • 2014 - 2016 Co-Editor, Australian Journal of Teacher Education
  • 2013 - Current Editorial Board Member, Australian Journal of Teacher Education
  • 2013 - 2015 Editorial Review Board member, The International Journal of Whole Schooling

Research Interests

  • Instructional coaching
  • Effective pedagogy in Literacy
  • Classroom management and challenging behaviours
  • Use of technology to support learning.

Qualifications

  • Doctor Of Philosophy, Edith Cowan University, 2014.
  • Master of Education, Edith Cowan University, 2007.
  • Bachelor of Education (Secondary - Pre-Service), Edith Cowan University, 1989.

Research Outputs

2024

Journal Articles

2023

Journal Articles

  • Slater, E., Burton, K., Main, S. (2023). Gifted and home-educated in Australia. Australasian Journal of Gifted Education, 32(2), 41-58. https://doi.org/10.21505/ajge.2023.0014.
  • Main, S., Hill, S., Paolino, A. (2023). Improving the reading skills of struggling secondary students in a real-world setting: issues of implementation and sustainability. Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, 28(1), 73-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/19404158.2023.2210588.
  • Main, S., Byrne, M., Scott, J., Sullivan, K., Paolino, A., Slater, E., Boron, J. (2023). Primary specialisations in Australia: graduates’ perceptions of outcome and impact. The Australian Educational Researcher, 50(2), 371–390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-021-00496-y.
  • Wilson, B., Main, S., O'Rourke, J., Slater, E. (2023). Needing more, needing less: unravelling why a prompt dependency cycle forms in neurodiverse relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 40(9), 2892-2917. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075231161308.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Kishida, Y., Main, S., Carter, M., Kemp, C., Campbell, A. (2022). Preservice teachers’ accuracy in measuring child engagement using a digitised momentary time sampling measure. Learning and Motivation, 80(November 2022), Article number 101839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2022.101839.
  • Main, S., Slater, E. (2022). Online continuous professional learning: A model for improving reading outcomes in regional and remote schools?. Journal of Teacher Education, 73(2), 201-214. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224871211009110.

2021

Journal Articles

  • O'Rourke, J., Main, S., Gray, C., Lovering, C. (2021). Observations of children with disability during arts-based multisensory story and rhyme activities: Is it all just chimes and perfumes?. Australasian Journal of Special and Inclusive Education, 45(2), 237-251. https://doi.org/10.1017/jsi.2021.8.
  • Pogorzelski, S., Main, S., Hill, S. (2021). A survey of Western Australian teachers’ use of texts in supporting beginning readers. Issues in Educational Research, 31(1), 204-223. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/10171.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Main, S., Backhouse, M., Jackson, R., Hill, S. (2020). Mitigating reading failure in adolescents: Outcomes of a Direct Instruction reading program in one secondary school. Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, 43(2), 152-166. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/8457.
  • Luo, M., Main, S., Lock, G., Joshi, RM., Zhong, C. (2020). Exploring Chinese EFL teachers' knowledge and beliefs relating to the teaching of English reading in public primary schools in China. Dyslexia: an international journal of research and practice, 26(3), 266-285. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1630.
  • Main, S., Konza, D., Hackling, M., Lock, G. (2020). Professional learning in reading instruction: The influence of context on engagement and enactment. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 45(6), 76-94. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2020v45n6.5.
  • Slater, E., Main, S. (2020). A measure of classroom management: validation of a pre-service teacher self-efficacy scale. Journal of Education for Teaching, 46(5), 616-630. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2020.1770579.

2017

Book Chapters

  • Main, S., Konza, D. (2017). Inclusive reading practices for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in Australia. Inclusive principles and practices in literacy education (177-194). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
  • Strampel, K., Sibson, R., Main, S. (2017). Professional Development to Support the Embedding of ePortfolios in Higher Education Programs. ePortfolios in Australian Universities (33-46). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1732-2_3.

Journal Articles

  • O'Rourke, J., Main, S., Hill, S. (2017). Commercially available digital game technology in the classroom: Improving automaticity in mental-maths in primary-aged students. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 42(10), 50-70. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2017v42n10.4.

2016

Journal Articles

  • Main, S., Chambers, DJ., Sarah, P. (2016). Supporting the transition to inclusive education: Teachers’ attitudes to inclusion in the Seychelles. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 20(12), 1270-1285. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2016.1168873.
  • Main, S., O'Rourke, J., Morris, J., Dunjey, H. (2016). Focus on the journey, not the destination: Digital games and students with disability. Issues in Educational Research, 26(2), 315-331.

2015

Book Chapters

  • Main, S. (2015). Reflective practitioners: Teachers and support staff reflecting together. Working with teaching assistants and other support staff for inclusive education (263-287). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-363620150000004013.

Journal Articles

  • Konza, D., Main, S. (2015). The Power of Pedagogy: When all else fails. The International Journal of Learning: Annual Review, 22(2015), 9-29.

2014

Journal Articles

  • Budgen, F., Main, S., Callcott, D., Hamlett, B. (2014). The First Year at University: Giving Social Capital a Sporting Chance. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 39(7), 157-172. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2014v39n7.7.
  • O'Rourke, J., Main, S., Cooper, M. (2014). Student Perceptions Of Online Interactive Versus Traditional Lectures; Or How I Managed Not To Fall Asleep With My Eyes Open. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 10(3), 405-419.

2013

Journal Articles

  • O'Rourke, J., Main, S., Ellis, M. (2013). It doesn’t seem like work, it seems like good fun’: perceptions of primary students on the use of Handheld Game Consoles in mathematics classes. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 22(1), 103-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/1475939X.2012.733537.
  • O'Rourke, J., Main, S., Ellis, M. (2013). So the kids are busy, what now? Teacher perceptions of the use of hand-held game consoles in West Australian primary classrooms. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 29(5), 735-747.

2011

Journal Articles

  • Main, S., O'Rourke, J. (2011). New directions for traditional lesson: Can handheld game consoles enhance mental mathematics skills?. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 36(2), 43-55. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2011v36n2.4.

2009

Conference Publications

  • Main, S., O'Rourke, J. (2009). ‘Yay it’s Maths!’ Using hand-held game consoles in a Primary classroom.. Live it! Love it! Learn it! Curriculum Conference 2009 (9p.). Catholic Education Office.

2008

Journal Articles

  • Main, S., Hammond, L. (2008). Best Practice or most practiced? Pre-service teachers' beliefs about effective behaviour management strategies and reported self-efficacy. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 33(4), 28-39.
  • O'Rourke, J., Main, S., Cooper, M. (2008). Secondary V K-7: Pre-Service Teachers’ attitudes Towards Inclusion. The International Journal of Learning, 15(7), 97-104.

Research Projects

  • Supporting inclusive practice for pre-service teachers on rural and remote practicums through coaching and online resources., Australian Association of Special Education, AASE Research Award, 2024 ‑ 2026, $13,636.
  • Foodbank WA School Breakfast Program Social Return on Investment, Foodbank, Grant, 2023 ‑ 2024, $9,119.
  • Collaborative networks: Improving literacy outcomes in regional and remote schools, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration Grant - 2018, 2018 ‑ 2019, $20,740.
  • Arts-based pedagogy: Engaging children with additional needs through multi-sensory storytelling, Sensorium Theatre Inc, Sensorium Theatre Inc - Grant, 2017 ‑ 2018, $10,000.
  • Kiara Literacy Development Project – Phase 2, Kiara College, Grant, 2016 ‑ 2018, $34,914.
  • Thornlie Cluster Literacy Development, Yale Primary School, Yale Primary School - Grant, 2016 ‑ 2017, $48,000.
  • Re-development and trial of Kimberley Literacy Profiles, Muludja Remote Community School, Muludja Remote Community School - Grant, 2016 ‑ 2017, $55,793.
  • Kimberley PALL Plus, Muludja Remote Community School, Muludja Remote Community School - Grant, 2014 ‑ 2017, $178,121.
  • Kiara Literacy Development Project, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration Scheme - 2016 Open Round, 2016 ‑ 2017, $41,704.
  • Clarkson Cluster Collaboration: A framework of literacy intervention for at-risk Year 2 students in five schools, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration - Grant, 2010 ‑ 2011, $79,837.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The experience of primary carers of gifted children with dyslexia in identifying their chile's twice exceptionalities
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (iCBT) and Social Anxiety Support for Preservice Teachers in a University Setting

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Autistic student voice in reasonable adjustments
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Early Primary Teachers’ Understanding of Sight Words: A Picture Paints a Thousand Words but a Word is Not a Picture
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) in Timed Writing Tasks for Primary Learners

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Exploring Chinese English-as-a-foreign-language teachers' beliefs about effective teaching of English reading in primary schools in zhejiang Province of China and the effects of these beliefs on the teachers' instructional practices
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The impact of literacy on Aboriginal people who experience the criminal justice system.
  • Master of Education, Teachers’ perspectives on digital access and factors impacting student ICT capability: Equity in national online assessments (NAPLAN) in Australia
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Investigating communicative dissonance within relationships of adults with asperger's syndrome (asd level 1)
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The role of text type in the reading development of beginning readers with English as an additional language
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Teachers’ Approaches to Spelling Instruction for Years 3 - 6 in Western Australian Schools

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Higher education access and participation for persons with disability in Ghanaian public universities
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Exploring the lived experiences of developmental neurological differences (DND) in the Western Australian classroom: A former student and teacher perspective.

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