Chalk & Talk

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.

Education policy expert Dr. Tom Loveless discusses the National Math Advisory Panel, NCTM standards, math wars, concerns about the California Math Framework, San Francisco's de-tracking initiative, and the importance of memorizing math facts. A must-listen for math educators, parents, and policymakers.

Discussion with Dr. Dylan Wiliam focuses on improving math proficiency, knowledge-rich curriculum, and teacher effectiveness. Examples of using formative assessment for student learning provided. Practical wisdom for teachers, policy makers, and parents shared in the podcast.

Math professor Anna Stokke interviews Dr. Ben Solomon, a psychology professor known for his expertise in research methodology. They discuss flaws in education research papers, the importance of evidence-based practices in education, and the need for critical evaluation of claims. The podcast explores red flags in education research, the controversy around teaching standard algorithms, and the significance of math education for career opportunities.

Math professor Anna Stokke and educator Dr. Carl Hendrick discuss topics including growth mindset, motivation vs. academic success, the validity of measuring engagement, teaching critical thinking, the science of learning, the impact of mobile phones on learning, and advice for new teachers.