Mr Barton Maths Podcast #201 Atomisation in Action – episode 1 (with Kris Boulton and Lee Wheeler)
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Apr 30, 2025 Kris Boulton, a writer and educational consultant specializing in atomization, teams up with Lee Wheeler, a math teacher implementing these principles in his classroom. They delve into the transformative impact of breaking down complex mathematical concepts for better student understanding. Highlighting personal anecdotes, they discuss the significance of collaboration among educators and raising student expectations. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in education and strategies like retrieval practice to enhance comprehension and foster a supportive learning environment.
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Atomisation Defined
- Atomisation is breaking routines into smallest teachable parts (atoms) that can be taught and assessed separately.
- That decomposition allows targeted instruction and rapid checks of specific knowledge before teaching full routines.
Department Rollout Transformed Practice
- Chris describes a maths department implementation where teachers felt professional and saw immediate student success from atomisation.
- That collective rollout changed his focus from student-only tools to supporting teachers and departments directly.
Start With The 80/20 Of Atomisation
- Start with the 20% of atomisation moves that give ~80% of the benefit and keep early steps simple for teachers to adopt.
- Use a leveling system: get easy wins first, then work into the deeper sequencing and nuance for higher attainment.
