

DebateMath Podcast
Chris Luzniak & Rob Baier
Welcome to the DebateMath Podcast, the show where we’re redefining what it means to debate in mathematics & education, where multiple sides of ideas are explored, evidence matters, and we all grow and learn from hearing each other.We know the world–and our classrooms–are not binary. So we lean into the gray area in our discussions. We invite on guests with differing viewpoints on the way math is taught, and listen in as they debate with each other.Come dig into any debate, where we listen to learn, not to prove someone wrong, but to deepen our understanding.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 15, 2024 • 1h
Debate 34 - Should Politics Be Avoided in Math Class?
Text us your thoughts!At the time of this recording, we are in an election year and political ads are everywhere. As we get closer to November 2024, it is harder and harder to avoid. Now, while you may not think of math as a course that intersects with political topics, teachers may find it coming up in many ways. So for this episode we gathered a panel of educators to give us advice on this, addressing the question: Should politics be avoided in math class?Follow Dee Crescitelli on Social Media: @dcrescitelliFollow Crystal Watson on Social Media: @_CrystalMWatsonCheck out Crystal’s Website: crystalmwatson.comFollow Matt Baker on Social Media: @stoodle (and @mrbakersmathclass on Instagram)Some resources mentioned include:Facing HistorySkew the ScriptSlow Reveal GraphsListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 14min
Debate 33 - Is NCTM Worth It?
Text us your thoughts!The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, or NCTM, is the world's largest mathematics education organization. While many math teachers are members of this organization and may attend its national conference, others do not. Maybe you are someone who has wondered whether or not to join? We wanted to explore this idea more in our latest debate: Is an NCTM membership worthwhile?Follow Desiree Harrison on all platforms: @KidsmathtalkFollow Bobson Wong on Twitter/BlueSky/Instagram: @bobsonwong Check out Bobson’s Website: www.bobsonwong.comFollow Steve Phelps on all platforms: @MathTechCoach Follow Sunil Singh on Twitter: @MathgardenCheck out Sunil’s Website: www.mathsings.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Aug 22, 2024 • 43min
Hot Seat #4 - Is Data Science a Rigorous Course?
Text us your thoughts!For our final “Hot Seat” of 2024, we wanted to lean into the topic of data science. It’s starting to become a course offered in high schools, but some may wonder if it is a rigorous pathway for students. Is Calculus still the most rigorous course for high school students? We want to hear from our guests from DataScience4Everyone, asking them:Is Data Science as rigorous as any other advanced math course?Follow Lee Ellen Harmer via LinkedIn or on Twitter: @LeeEllenHarmerFollow Mahmoud Harding via LinkedInCheck out the website: datascience4everyone.org Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Aug 8, 2024 • 45min
Hot Seat #3 - Are Problem-Based Lessons Essential?
Text us your thoughts!Do you know what Problem-Based Lessons are? And more importantly, do you think they are important? For this Hot Seat, we hear from educators Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr on why they think: Problem Based Lessons are Essential.Follow the Make Math Moments PodcastCheck out Problem-Based Lessons on: makemathmoments.comTake the report at makemathmoments.com/reportFollow Kyle on Twitter: @MathletePearceFollow Jon on Twitter: @MrOrr_geekListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Jul 17, 2024 • 57min
Hot Seat #2 - Is It OK to Quit Teaching?
Text us your thoughts!For this next Hot Seat debate, we talk about the complicated decision to leave education. With many teachers leaving or considering leaving the profession, we brought on two former educators–Laila Nur & Justin Aion–to debate the question: Is it OK to quit teaching?Follow Laila on Twitter: @mslailanur or check out her website: www.mslailanur.comFollow Justin on Twitter: @JustinAion Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Jul 3, 2024 • 37min
Hot Seat #1 - Is Math Dead?
Text us your thoughts!Welcome to our very first Hot Seat debate! In this debate we hear from Sunil Singh and explore his idea that: Math is Dead!Follow Sunil on Twitter: @MathgardenCheck out Sunil’s Website: www.mathsings.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Jun 13, 2024 • 50min
Debate 28 - A 4-Day School Week?
Text us your thoughts!You may have heard news of schools and districts that are switching to a 4 day school week. There are claims of improved teacher retention or reduced costs. However, this is a highly debated topic. So we invited four guests to share their thoughts on the debate: Let's Switch to a 4-Day School Week!Resources Referenced in this EpisodeFollow Jodie on Twitter or LinkedIn: @BaileyJodie Follow Shelby on Twitter or LinkedIn: @SneffleupagusFollow Brandon on Twitter or LinkedIn: @MrRob7234Follow Hilary on Twitter or LinkedIn: @Dr_KreisbergListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

May 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
Debate 27 - The Science of Math?
Text us your thoughts!Have you heard of the Science of Math? It is a movement in the math education world, which aims to use research to inform best practices. However, there has been some push back to this movement. Critics question what and how research was quoted and used. This controversy sounded like a topic for the Debate Math Podcast. Come hear out both sides! Resources Referenced in this EpisodeRead more about the Science of Math movement on their website: thescienceofmath.comFollow Sarah Powell on Twitter & Instagram: @sarahpowellphd Follow Jonathan Regino on Twitter/BlueSky/Mathstodon: @JRED530Follow Liesl McConchie on social media: @LieslMcconchie and check out her website: lieslmcconchie.comFollow Shelly Jones on Twitter: @ShellyMJones1And check out the Benjamin Banneker Association: benjaminbannekerassociation.orgListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Mar 28, 2024 • 50min
Debate 26 - 2 LIVE Debates!
Text us your thoughts!This month's episode is a special recording of two LIVE debates at the OMCA 2024 Retreat. Listen as thoughtful math leaders discuss two topics and answer questions from the audience!The first topic is:We need to have common evaluations.The second debate topic is:Teachers spend too much time on direct instruction.Follow up with our debaters:Follow Angela Schaefer on Twitter: @SchaeferAngFollow Cherry Perentesis on Twitter: @CPerentesisFollow Kelly Madigan on Twitter: @kmads03Follow Stephen Monica on Twitter: @stephen_monicaListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Feb 22, 2024 • 1h 3min
Debate 25 - Should You Follow the Textbook?
Text us your thoughts!Let’s talk about textbooks! Some teachers are handed a textbook and are instructed to follow it. Others may have never had a textbook offered to them. If you are given a textbook, should you be following it? And how much? And if you don’t have one, should you start? Tune in as four thoughtful educators debate the resolution: Teachers should follow the textbook.Resources Referenced in this EpisodeThe book Pi of Life was mentioned. Graspable Math Open Middle Math Same But Different Math Which One Doesn’t Belong? The BEAM Program Follow Gabe Davis Twitter: @gdavis451Follow Zak Champagne Twitter: @Zakchamp or check out his website: zakchamp.comFollow Melissa Dean on Twitter & Instagram: @Dean_of_math, check out her blog: deanofmath.wordpress.com, or read her new book: Unravel School.Follow Tim Brzezinski on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube: @TimBrzezinski Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!


