Progressively Incorrect S5E05: Anna Stokke on Where Math Education Went Wrong—and How to Fix It
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Oct 10, 2025 Anna Stokke, a mathematician and professor passionate about math education reform, dives into the pitfalls of contemporary math teaching methods. She argues for the necessity of explicit skill practice over vague conceptual understanding and highlights the crucial role of foundational skills like fractions and basic algebra. Stokke also critiques the notion that teaching confidence can substitute for actual math skills and stresses that efficiency and accuracy must remain central in math instruction. Her insights challenge the status quo and pave the way for a more structured approach to math learning.
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Math Expert Who Bridges Research And Practice
- Anna Stokke is a mathematician and math-education advocate who hosts Chalk & Talk and runs Archimedes Math Schools.
- She combines university teaching, research, advocacy, and after-school programs to improve math instruction.
Discovering Psychology Splits That Changed Her View
- Anna describes discovering a split between cognitive and behavioral psychology through guests like Amanda Vanderhaegen and Kim Behrens.
- That discovery changed how she views measurement and challenged her assumptions about cognitive load and invisibles like working memory.
Prioritize Skill Fluency Before Undefined 'Conceptual' Goals
- Avoid prioritizing vague 'conceptual understanding' over practicing skills; define terms and balance instruction.
- Teach procedural fluency first when appropriate, then build deeper conceptual understanding through practice and exposure.
