Progressively Incorrect

In this engaging discussion, Greg Ashman, a prominent voice in education and advocate for explicit instruction, shares insights from his journey in the UK and Australia. He critiques the dichotomy between explicit teaching and inquiry-based learning, arguing for their complementary roles. Ashman dives into cognitive load theory and its impact on mathematical problem solving, advocating for structured teaching approaches. He also addresses challenges in teacher preparation and the need for educators to have a voice in shaping effective teaching methodologies.

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Dr. Shawn Datchuk, a leading researcher who’s helped shape how we think about sentence construction for struggling learners. Drawing from the literature on Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction, Shawn shares how timed practice and explicit strategies can accelerate mastery in writing, especially for students with learning … Continue reading S4E39: Shawn Datchuk on Teaching Sentence Construction with Precision

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Nathan Lang-Raad for a wide-ranging conversation that threads together two hot-button topics: artificial intelligence and the science of learning. There’s excitement everywhere—some even say AI will revolutionize teaching and learning. But are we getting ahead of ourselves? Nathan and I explore the real benefits AI can … Continue reading S4E38: Nathan Lang-Raad on Learning Science and Artificial Intelligence

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I sat down with a personal friend whose work I deeply respect: John Tanner. His leadership in education has weathered storms—most notably, false accusations of cheating after huge gains in achievement were obtained at his school. But what shines through is his steadfast belief in the life-changing power of … Continue reading S4E37: John Tanner on Tests, College, and Cheating Scandals

In this episode of The Direct Instruction Podcast – cross-posted on Progressively Incorrect – I’m joined by Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann, two long-time advocates and practitioners whose work has shaped the real-world application of schoolwide Direct Instruction. After engaging conversations with both of them—on everything from implementation across diverse contexts to the role of … Continue reading S4E36: Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann on Full Immersion Direct Instruction

In this episode of The Direct Instruction Podcast - cross-posted on Progressively Incorrect - I’m joined by Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein—three educators and researchers whose work intersects at the heart of effective instruction and systems-level change. After engaging conversations with each of them around Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the role … Continue reading S4E35: Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein on MTSS and Direct Instruction

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Jonah Davids. Jonah and I met while participating in a panel discussion around declining behavior in schools (listen here), which led me to invite him to discuss the evidence base behind Restorative Justice and Social-Emotional approaches in education. Are we on track or has there been … Continue reading S4E34: Jonah Davids on the Debates Over Restorative Justice and SEL

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I am delighted to host Peps Mccrea, the Director of Education at Steplab and the mind behind the must-read online newsletter, Evidence Snacks. Peps has dedicated his career to improving education through evidence-based practices. His latest project includes Great Teaching, Unpacked, a Netflix-style documentary that is pushing the boundaries … Continue reading S4E33: Peps Mccrea on Great Teaching and Human Flourishing

In this conversation, Rachel Ball, the Coaching Development Lead at StepLab and author of 'The Scaffolding Effect,' dives deep into the art of scaffolded instruction. She shares her journey behind crafting her book and addresses the challenges teachers face in providing the right support while fostering independence. The discussion also highlights innovative teaching techniques, the importance of professional development, and collaborative group rehearsals as tools for enhancing educational practices. Rachel’s insights advocate for a more effective and adaptive teaching landscape.

Laura Stam, a dedicated second-grade teacher from Wyoming and a Goyan fellow, dives into her passion for the Science of Reading and Direct Instruction. She discusses the importance of integrating content and vocabulary for enhanced literacy and critical thinking in elementary education. Laura shares innovative classroom strategies, such as merit-demerit systems for behavior tracking and a two-minute daily math timing to boost fluency. Her insights on structured teaching highlight the transformative effects on student confidence and engagement in reading.