Chalk & Talk

Darja Barr, a Senior instructor from the University of Manitoba, and Dan Wolczuk, a Lecturer at the University of Waterloo, dive into the essentials for succeeding in university math. They discuss the critical topics needed for eventual success in calculus, emphasizing algebraic fluency and foundational skills. The duo explores the gap between high school preparation and university demands, touching on diagnostic tests and the importance of study habits. Their insights are invaluable for educators and aspiring students alike!

Kimberly Berens, a behavior scientist and founder of FIT Learning, passionately discusses the intersection of behavior science and educational practices. She emphasizes measurable outcomes, effective reinforcement strategies, and the transformative impact of Direct Instruction and precision teaching, particularly in math. Kimberly also tackles issues like math anxiety and the need for personalized instruction to address diverse learning needs. Her insights advocate for systematic educational reform to enhance student performance through scientifically-backed methodologies.

Host Anna Stokke speaks with Scott Hill, Superintendent of Evergreen School Division. They discuss Evergreen's proactive approach to improving education, particularly focusing on mathematics and literacy.  Scott shares how his division tackled low math scores by interviewing students, addressing behaviour issues, employing structured instructional methods, and providing consistent common assessments. They also touch on broader pedagogical narratives, the role of schools in society, and the importance of setting higher expectations for students. Additionally, Scott highlights the critical strides made in early literacy instruction, with Evergreen School Division being recognized with a national award from Dyslexia Canada.  A key takeaway from this episode is that strong leadership, data-informed decision making, and a commitment to addressing weaknesses can significantly impact student learning.  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:00] Introduction [00:03:39] Evergreen School Division's math challenges and student feedback [00:08:43] Grade inflation and reporting to parents [00:11:24] Divisional changes to improve math scores [00:14:42] Higher expectations for students [00:20:05] The role of schools in society [00:26:02] Is inquiry-based pedagogy accomplishing the stated goals? [00:30:45] Instructional caricatures and foundational skills [00:37:09] Setting behavioural standards [00:40:02] Cell phones in schools [00:46:01] Common assessments and provincial exams [00:56:30] Award-winning literacy initiatives [01:01:08] Final thoughts RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES Ep 1 Math and the myth of ability with John Mighton https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-22c7a-139dc72 Ep 18 Education myth-busting with Daisy Christodoulou https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-z2q9q-14ce080 Ep 20 Reading and math: parallels and pitfalls with Matthew Burns https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-8aj3f-1508af6 Ep 27 Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jc9mq-161ecac Ep 30 Math fluency matters with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pj6z6-166741e EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-33-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-33-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Blue Dot Sessions – Cornicob Podington Bear – Camp Website: www.annastokke.com X: @rastokke LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

In this conversation with Dr. Jonathan Plucker, a professor and director of the Education Policy Program at Johns Hopkins University, he reveals the flaws in current methods for identifying advanced students. He advocates for universal screening to ensure equitable access to advanced programs. Topics include the importance of acceleration over enrichment, the drawbacks of de-streaming policies, and the need for flexible grouping strategies. Jonathan emphasizes that meeting the needs of every student, including high achievers, ultimately benefits all learners.

Nidhi Sachdeva and Jim Hewitt, educators at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, delve into the science of learning and its implications for equitable education. They reveal the significance of explicit instruction in narrowing achievement gaps. The duo discusses debunking myths in education, emphasizing retrieval practice as a powerful tool for enhancing memory retention. They also explore the insights from Project Follow Through and highlight inclusive teaching strategies that cater to diverse learning needs.

Dr. Brian Poncy, a school psychology professor specializing in math interventions, discusses the importance of math fluency and daily practice. They cover topics like dosage research, conceptual understanding, explicit timing, and data-driven decision-making. Achieving basic fact fluency requires consistent practice every school day. The podcast provides research-backed methods to improve math education and highlights the significance of fluency for enhancing mathematical skills in students.

Dr. Brian Poncy, a math intervention specialist, discusses the math fact crisis and strategies for improving numeracy. He highlights the instructional hierarchy, decomposition strategies, data collection, and the impact of his free math program, M.I.N.D. The podcast explores effective teaching methods, fluency, automaticity, and intervention strategies to enhance math skills.

Math professor Anna Stokke interviews Dr. Katharine Beals, expert in evidence-based instruction for students with autism. They discuss how autism affects math learning, ineffective instructional techniques, and recommended math programs for autistic individuals. Key takeaway: effective methods for autism benefit all students.

Renowned cognitive psychology professor Pamela Snow discusses evidence-based teaching methods for reading and math, emphasizing foundational skills and the societal impact of quality instruction in disadvantaged communities. The conversation explores the phonics debate in reading education, the establishment of a Science of Language and Reading Lab at a university, and the importance of evidence-based strategies in teacher education. Guests express gratitude for program accomplishments in mathematics education and discuss its growing importance compared to reading.

Australian teacher and numeracy learning specialist, David Morkunas, discusses applying cognitive load theory in math class with practical tips on explicit instruction, standard algorithms, math anxiety, and motivation. The episode provides actionable advice for educators seeking to enhance math teaching methods.