Learning how to learn using the ALARM framework

A practical teaching and learning framework that delivers real impact on lifting student literacy outcomes.

Our mission

Empowering learners to ask the right questions

In a world shaped by ever-increasing complexity and change, the power of learning lies not in knowing the answer but in the quality of our questions.

By learning to ask better questions, teachers can help students uncover meaning, challenge assumptions, and unlock higher-order thinking across all learning areas.

The Framework

What is ALARM?

An explicit questioning framework

Created by Max Woods 2009, ALARM stands for A Learning And Responding Matrix. It maps out a clear progression of learning skills, informs teaching strategies and drives learning through questions.

Max Woods the founder of ALARM Framework

What is the impact of ALARM so far?

ALARM has been utilised by over 200 schools since its inception in 2009 with many schools reporting significant lift in student outcomes at the HSC level. The framework is also taught at Macquarie University as a strategy for developing literacy, featured by Western Sydney University in lifting student achievement at the HSC level and recognised as an effective tool for self-regulated learning by Dr Shyam Barr.

How does ALARM work?

Teachers can explicitly guide students' understanding through content (lower-order) to concept (higher-order) level questions. This common language of metacognition equips students with a transferable skillset that can be applied across subjects and school years leading to improved learning outcomes. Try our ALARM interactive guide to see it in action.

What is the evidence base?

The framework is aligned to current research and evidence-based teaching practices including explicit teaching, effective feedback and formative assessment. Download a free copy of our ALARM and Explicit Teaching guide to learn more.

The Framework

What is ALARM?

An explicit questioning framework

Created by Max Woods 2009, ALARM stands for A Learning And Responding Matrix. It maps out a clear progression of learning skills, informs teaching strategies and drives learning through questions.

What is the impact of ALARM so far?

ALARM has been utilised by over 200 schools since its inception in 2009 with many schools reporting significant lift in student outcomes at the HSC level. The framework is also taught at Macquarie University as a strategy for developing literacy and featured by Western Sydney University as an example of a High Leverage Strategy in lifting student achievement at the HSC level.

How does ALARM work?

Teachers can explicitly guide students' understanding through content (lower-order) to concept (higher-order) level questions. This common language of metacognition equips students with a transferable skillset that can be applied across subjects and school years leading to improved learning outcomes. Try our ALARM interactive guide to see it in action.