Knowledge for Teachers

Dr. Nathaniel Swain, author of 'Harnessing the Science of Learning', returns to discuss how to prioritize effective teaching in schools. He advocates for reclaiming instructional time lost to distractions and emphasizes a knowledge-rich curriculum essential for literacy and numeracy. The conversation delves into making learning engaging and fun while maintaining structure. Swain also highlights challenges in implementing change and shares insights on effective math and literacy instruction, urging educators to balance explicit teaching with student engagement.

This is the second conversation between Dr. Zach Groshell and Brendan Lee. For those that don’t know, Zach is the host of the Progressively Incorrect Podcast and also the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching. In this episode, they take a deep dive into some of the key considerations that schools need to take when it comes to instructional coaching.   For this episode, Zach’s four items were: Schools need an instructional focus for coaching to be successful.   Coaching is not only about teaching techniques, but also about fostering teacher judgement.  Relationships with teachers should not overshadow the goal of coaching Coaching cycles and drop ins don’t need to take all that long   Brendan’s four points were: Coaches need to shrink the change Coaching should feel like a development process, rather than a judgemental one Participants need to own the problem Get granular with goal setting   Resources mentioned: Steplab Josh Goodrich - Responsive Coaching Teach Like a Champion Peps Mccrea Jim Knight Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus You can connect with Zach: Twitter: @mrzachg Podcast: Progressively Incorrect Website: educationrickshaw.com   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Implementing the Science of Learning - For School Leaders 10% off Discount code: MATESRATES Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Nancy Jordan. She has been at the forefront of all things to do with early numeracy research including looking at screeners and intervention. Many of you come from the science of reading world and are fans of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, Nancy and colleagues have put together a Number Sense one! I’ve popped the citation in the show notes.    Throughout this conversation she delves into what number sense is, why it’s important, how we can develop it and how to assess it. Nancy also covers the role of manipulatives and the transition to understanding fractions.  Resources mentioned: SENS: Screener for Early Number Sense Number Sense Interventions Jordan, N. C., Devlin, B. L., & Botello, M. (2022). Core foundations of early mathematics: refining the number sense framework. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 46, 101181. ICME Ginsburg, Greenes, & Balfanz - Big Math for Little Kids Bob Siegler Nora Newcomb Chelsea Cutting. What Works Clearinghouse   You can connect with Nancy: Twitter: @Dr_nancyjordan Email: njordan@udel.edu Website: https://sites.google.com/a/udel.edu/nancy-jordan/   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Rhonda Filmer, a gifted education consultant and teacher, she discusses her journey into the field and the importance of understanding neurodiversity and twice exceptional students. She has recently released a book, “Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student” and they delve into some of the key points from the book throughout the episode. Resources mentioned: Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University Tom Bennett Michelle Ronksley-Pavia Gifted Education Resource Center at New South Wales University Miraca Gross SPELD NSW You can connect with Rhonda: Linkedin Book: Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee and Dr. Zach Groshell (Host of the Progressively Incorrect podcast) collaborated in the first of a series of episodes together. The theme for this episode was around what are the main principles that teachers need to understand about how learning happens and what are the key mechanisms of effective instruction. Zach’s 4 points were: Intrinsic motivation is a lofty goal but can't be depended upon. Use generative learning strategies after building prior knowledge - and without the help of AI.  The environment is not the "Third Teacher" but it can be designed optimally.  We might underestimate how much students appreciate receiving feedback. Brendan’s 4 points were: The instructional hierarchy is the single most important thing for teachers to know Desirable difficulties optimises learning Attaining and retaining attention is easier said than done Designing learning is more than just sequencing concepts in small steps   Resources mentioned: Haring and Eaton’s Instructional Hierarchy Bjork and Bjork’s Desirable Difficulties Fiorella and Mayer - Eight Ways to Promote Generative Learning Stanislas Dehaene - How we learn Daniel Willingham - Why don’t students like school Amanda VanDerHeyden Dylan Wiliam   You can connect with Zach: Twitter: @mrzachg Podcast: Progressively Incorrect Website: educationrickshaw.com   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast   * This was originally published on 15 Sep 2024 with poor sound quality, it was re-published on 20 Sep 2024 with improved sound quality! Hope you enjoy the episode!

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Charlotte Peverett, an experienced learning specialist and inclusion outreach coach, who shares her journey into teaching and special education. Charlotte discusses the significance of structures and routines in creating a safe and consistent learning environment. Charlotte also emphasises the importance of high expectations for all students and the role of teachers in preparing them for adulthood and functioning in society. In this conversation, Charlotte and Brendan discuss the importance of positive reinforcement and effective implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in schools. They also speak the role of leadership in planning and using data to drive improvement. Resources mentioned: Tom Bennett La Trobe University - SOLAR Lab Sherrington & Caviglioli - Teaching WalkthrusYou can listen to Tom speak about this on episode 5 of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast Christopher Such - The Art and Science of Teaching Primary ReadingYou can listen to Chris speak about this on episode 17 of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast Rosenshine’s Principles You can connect with Charlotte: Twitter: @lifeoflottie Facebook: Science of Learning - Special Education Australia   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast   About Charlotte Peverett Charlotte is an autistic, special education Learning Specialist/Inclusion Outreach Coach in South-West Victoria. Her specialty is literacy and language intervention with a passion to introduce research and evidence-based practices into mainstream and specialist settings. Charlotte has her Master of Education (LIHI) and is a postgraduate research student with the Latrobe University SOLAR Lab and is an Honorary Affiliate member of the Institute of Special Education (InSpEd). Charlotte has presented at numerous conferences and works with schools to change systems and practices to ensure all students are reaching their full potential.

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Jonathan Sharples from the Education Endowment Foundation. He has led the recent update to the EEF’s A School’s Guide to Implementation and in this conversation we unpack the paper. Professor Sharples details the updates and why they were made. He also digs into each of the key elements. As Jonathan highlights, how something is done is as important as what is done and throughout this episode, he provides a number of practical strategies that schools can follow.  Resources mentioned: Education Endowment Foundation: A School’s Guide to Implementation - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/implementation Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/teaching-assistants Darren Moore Martin Weswell Research Core Network Active Implementation Hub National Implementation Research Network Robin Mildon Centre for Evidence and Implementation You can connect with Jonathan: Twitter: @Sharples_J Website: educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Bethany Rittle-Johnson, a professor of psychology at Vanderbilt University, specializes in how people learn, particularly in math. She explores the balance between conceptual and procedural knowledge, advocating for strategies like worked examples and self-explanations. Bethany emphasizes the importance of recognizing children's innovative problem-solving methods and the need for challenging approaches to enhance engagement. She also discusses using generative AI to address misconceptions and the critical role of comparisons in deepening understanding in math education.

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Pamela Snow. She has been at the coalface fighting for evidence-based reading instruction to be common practice for a number of years and throughout this conversation, she provides nuggets of gold in describing how when we talk about phonics we need to be using it as an adjective with a noun following it. Pamela unpacks why this debate about reading has been going on for so long and why changing teacher practice can be so challenging. She also delves into what parents need to know and what questions they could be asking. Resources mentioned: Grattan Institute - The Reading Guarantee Nancy Young’s Reading and Writing Ladder Science of Reading Podcast S2-05: The Right to Read Project on nurturing automatic readers: Margaret Goldberg and Alanna Mednick Troy Verey Dr Danielle Colenbrander Dr. Pam Kastner Emily Hanford - Sold a Story Professor Lorraine Hammond   You can connect with Pam: Twitter: @PamelaSnow2 Linkedin Website: https://pamelasnow.blogspot.com/   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Join English teacher and digital learning expert Jamie Clark as he shares insights from his book, One Pagers. He explains how simple, engaging one-pagers can radically enhance professional development and classroom learning. Jamie discusses his journey from teacher to learning designer, highlighting the significance of context and visual aids. He also unpacks effective instructional strategies like think-pair-share, urging educators to prioritize clarity and simplicity in their resources. Get ready for practical tips that make teaching more impactful!