Knowledge for Teachers

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!

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emina McLean. Emina works with systems, schools, leaders, and teachers to develop ambitious and rigorous assessment, curriculum and instruction practices in English and literacy. In this chat, Emina discusses her focus on implementing effective systems and practices for teaching reading and writing. She highlights the importance of aligning curriculum, assessment, and instruction, and the need for a well-sequenced and comprehensive curriculum. Emina also unpacks the challenges of implementing evidence-based practice in schools, including the overwhelming number of competing priorities.  Resources mentioned: A Single Shard - Linda Sue Park Ochre Education EEF - Implementation Guide   You can connect with Emina: Twitter: @EminaMcLean Linkedin Email: emina.mclean@gmail.com      Website: www.eminamclean.com/   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, an instructional coach dedicated to empowering educators, shares her insights on responsive teaching. She explains the importance of mastering core principles before applying specific techniques. Bron discusses instructional playbooks, highlighting both their benefits and potential pitfalls. She emphasizes engaging students through methods like 'pair share' and 'Turn and Talk,' advocating for practices that promote active participation. This conversation balances theory with practical strategies, ensuring educators can adapt their approaches effectively.

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Trisha Jha who currently works with the Centre for Independent Studies and recently released a couple of reports titled: What is the Science of Learning? And Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences. Trisha unpacks these papers and discusses her journey into education research and the importance of focusing on what happens in the classroom. Throughout the conversation Trisha defines what the science of learning is and the difficulty in making cognitive science common knowledge.    The conversation also explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding explicit instruction and how teachers engage with the science of learning. We also delve into what schools and systems can do to support effective implementation.    Resources mentioned: What is the Science of Learning? https://www.cis.org.au/publication/what-is-the-science-of-learning/ Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences https://www.cis.org.au/publication/implementing-the-science-of-learning-teacher-experiences/ Greg Ashman Jennifer Buckingham Five from Five Why Jaydon Can’t Read: A Forum on Fixing Literacy Kevin Knight Education Endowment Foundation 24 – Jessica Del Rio on solving illiteracy in Australia Daniel Willingham: Why don’t students like school Hollingsworth and Ybarra: Explicit Direct Instruction Daisy Christodoulou: 7 Myths about Education E.D. Hirsch: Why knowledge matters David Diddau and Nick Rose: What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Psychology Zac Groshell: Progressively Incorrect Anna Stokke: Chalk and Talk Ollie Lovell: ERRR Podcast You can connect with: Twitter: @themetresgained Linkedin: Trisha Jha   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast About Trisha Jha Trisha Jha is a Research Fellow in the Education program, working on projects relating to the science of learning, improvement of initial teacher education and overall school quality. Prior to rejoining CIS, Trisha had roles as a secondary teacher, including through the Teach for Australia program, in state and independent schools in regional Victoria. She has also worked as a senior policy adviser to opposition leaders in Victoria. She holds a Masters of Teaching with a specialisation in Research from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the Australian National University.