Chalk & Talk

In this episode, Anna is joined by two familiar guests, mathematician and founder of JUMP Math, Dr. John Mighton, and learning expert and bestselling author Dr. Barbara Oakley. They discuss their new Coursera course, Making Math Click: Understanding Math Without Fear, what learning science reveals about how students learn math, and why practice and worked examples play such a critical role in building math confidence. They discuss schemas, give some cautionary advice about using manipulatives and concrete-pictorial-abstract approaches, and explain why moving quickly from concrete to abstract matters. They describe what’s at stake when math education fails, what’s lost when students don’t develop foundational skills, and what it will take to help more learners succeed in math. This is a practical, engaging, and insightful episode for teachers, parents, university students, and anyone who has ever felt they weren’t a math person. This episode is also available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke Making Math Click: Understand Math Without Fear: Free course with certificate: https://www.coursera.org/learn/math-click?action=showPartnerSupportedAccess TIMESTAMPS [00:00:22] Introduction [00:05:40] How Barbara’s background shaped her approach to math [00:07:00] John’s experience with math from a young age [00:09:21] John and Barbara’s Coursera course [00:11:07] Who is their course for? [00:15:45] Is the course beneficial for teachers? [00:21:54] What math and Sylvia Plath’s writing have in common [00:23:51] Building schemas in math [00:26:46] Getting good at math leads to liking math [00:31:08] Kaminsky’s research on manipulatives vs. abstract representations [00:33:39] Fading from concrete to abstract [00:40:30] Barbara’s article in the Seattle Times [00:42:30] Real world consequences of innumeracy [00:49:13] Learning math takes practice and patience [00:51:38] Societal loss from kids not learning math [00:57:13] Failed constructivist approaches [01:00:50] Barbara’s and John’s recommendations for system improvements [01:05:42] Final thoughts RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES  How to excel in math and other tough subject with Barabara Oakley https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-7-best-ways-to-learn-math-with-barbara-oakley/ Math and the Myth of Ability with John Mighton https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-1-math-and-the-myth-of-ability-with-john-mighton/ Balanced literacy didn’t work–will balanced math? with Ben Solomon https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-usvqw-1962107 Math fact crisis: strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-u9y84-165d773 EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-61-resources  EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-61-transcript MUSIC Intro & Outro: Funk Jazz Big Band -  ColorFilmMusic Website: www.annastokke.com FB: Chalk & Talk IG: @chalkandtalkpodcast Tiktok: @chalkandtalkpodcast X: @rastokke LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

In this engaging discussion, Jonas Linderoth, a Professor of Education and advocate for cognitive science in teaching, shares insights on how the Swedish educational reforms of the 1990s impacted teacher status and student outcomes. He reflects on his journey from supporting constructivism to critiquing it based on research findings. Linderoth also addresses the skepticism surrounding cognitive science in teacher training and highlights teachers' positive responses to research-backed strategies. His optimism shines through as he discusses grassroots movements for evidence-based practices in education.

Dr. George Georgiou, an educational psychologist from the University of Alberta, discusses why reading has become a human rights issue in Canada. He highlights alarming gaps in teacher training concerning literacy. Recent human rights investigations in provinces reveal failures in teaching effective reading methods. Alberta's new literacy reforms, including universal screening, show promise with declining rates of struggling readers. Georgiou also emphasizes the need for reforms in math education, advocating for a comprehensive approach to literacy and numeracy across curricula.

Dr. Nuno Crato, a research professor and former Portuguese Minister of Education, shares insights on transforming education in Portugal from 2011 to 2015. He emphasizes the critical role of a well-structured curriculum and accountability in boosting student performance on international assessments like PISA and TIMSS. Nuno discusses how targeted support for struggling learners and structured testing can enhance educational outcomes. He also reflects on the balance between rigorous standards and equity, providing valuable lessons for educators and policymakers.

Dr. Anita Archer, a leading expert on explicit instruction and co-author of a bestselling teaching book, shares invaluable insights from her 51-year career. She emphasizes the critical link between teaching quality and student learning. Archer explains the need for clear, explicit instruction, detailing its components like modeling, guided practice, and the importance of automaticity in foundational skills. Her strategies for engagement, including choral responses and structured partnerships, highlight how to effectively enhance classroom interactions.

Anita Archer, an esteemed educational consultant with a 50-year career, shares her expertise on explicit instruction. She explains how this method benefits all learners, especially novices and struggling students. Archer emphasizes the importance of clarity, interactivity, and practice, discussing the 'I do, we do, you do' model for effective teaching. She highlights common pitfalls teachers make and the necessity for early, strong instruction to prevent future challenges. Practical strategies and research insights make this a must-listen for educators.

Join educational heavyweights Paul Kirschner, Carl Hendrick, and Jim Heal as they unravel the secrets behind 'Instructional Illusions.' Kirschner highlights the pitfalls of discovery learning, debunking its allure with cognitive insights. Hendrick critiques the obsession with novelty in education, urging educators to question what innovations truly solve. Heal discusses the expertise illusion and the crucial differences between novice and expert learning. Together, they advocate for a balanced approach that combines student-centered methods with effective teaching strategies.

In this discussion, Jonathan Regino, a pre-K–12 math supervisor with extensive teaching experience, dives into addressing knowledge gaps in math education. He shares key insights on evidence-based practices for new teachers and recommends essential books to enhance their teaching skills. The conversation explores the pros and cons of standards-based grading, effective free interventions for students, and strategies to support high school students with significant skill gaps. Regino emphasizes the importance of consistency in grading and the value of community collaboration in improving math instruction.

In a compelling discussion, Dr. Ben Solomon, a professor and researcher at the University at Albany, critiques the New York math briefs that are set to shape statewide math instruction. He argues for their retraction, citing misleading claims and a misuse of 'evidence-based' terminology. Solomon debunks common myths, like the idea that timed tests lead to math anxiety, and emphasizes the need for explicit instruction. Drawing parallels to literacy debates, he advocates for structured teaching methods to improve student outcomes in math.

Brendan Lee, a dedicated educator and educational consultant, shares insights on enhancing math instruction. He discusses the instructional hierarchy, highlighting stages like acquisition and fluency. Brendan offers practical strategies for teachers to adapt their methods based on student needs. He dives into effective teaching techniques, including think-alouds and the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach. Listeners gain actionable advice on supporting struggling students, promoting confidence, and ensuring mastery in math, leaving them informed and inspired for their classrooms.