Education Research Reading Room

Jennifer Buckingham, Executive Director of the Centre of Educational Studies and Evaluation, bridges research and practice to combat illiteracy. She discusses the stark differences in literacy instruction and policies across the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Key topics include how these frameworks impact international assessments like PISA and PIRLS and the role of cultural context in shaping educational outcomes. Buckingham also emphasizes the necessity of evidence-based practices, effective teacher training, and systemic assessments to support struggling students.

In this episode, Ron Berger, a Senior Advisor at EL Education and a champion for educational excellence, discusses his vision for cultivating quality and character in students. He delves into the importance of craftsmanship in education, emphasizing integrity and pride in teaching. Berger shares transformative experiences that bridge traditional assessments with real-life skills, including a project connecting high school students with WWII veterans. He advocates for project-based learning and constructive critique as essential tools for enhancing student motivation and fostering a culture of excellence.

Craig Barton, a renowned mathematics educator and edu-podcaster, joins Ollie Lovell, an experienced teacher and the usual host, to dissect a recent math lesson Ollie taught. They delve into pedagogical decisions and strategies for effective lesson planning, including the use of Google Docs for collaboration. The discussion covers engaging students through dialogue, the significance of mini whiteboards for classroom management, and the importance of peer feedback in teaching practices. It's a deep dive into refining educational techniques and enhancing student engagement.

Adam Boxer, a North London chemistry teacher and education writer, discusses the pivotal first ten minutes of a lesson and their impact on student learning. He introduces Carousel, an edtech tool designed to enhance knowledge management for students. The conversation dives into crafting effective questions, balancing procedural and declarative knowledge, and innovative teaching strategies. Adam emphasizes the importance of classroom culture in fostering trust and accountability, and shares practical insights for maximizing engagement right from the start of a lesson.

Harry Fletcher-Wood, a seasoned professional development designer and former history teacher, shares his expertise on enhancing teacher training. He introduces the Catalyst Project, focusing on evidence-based strategies for teacher growth. The conversation highlights the drawbacks of traditional one-off training and advocates for a tailored, ongoing approach. Key topics include the importance of deliberate practice, authentic engagement, and feedback to foster effective learning environments. Harry emphasizes building connections among educators to promote collaboration and sustained professional development.

Greg Ashman, a deputy principal at Ballarat Clarendon College and an insightful educational writer, shares his expertise on what makes a school high-performing. He discusses the significance of clear student expectations and tailored professional learning for teachers. Ashman emphasizes the balance between structured lesson planning and teacher autonomy to enhance learning outcomes. The conversation also delves into effective data use and curriculum design to support diverse learners, highlighting practices that contribute to student success.

In this episode, Dr. Jordana Hunter & Nick Parkinson from the Grattan Institue discuss lessons from their trip to New York and England to visit 7 multi-school organisations, groups of schools working together under common governance and structures to the benefit of students.

Regents Professor Karen Harris shares insights from over 50 years of refining the SRSD method for teaching writing. Discussion includes the impact of SRSD on student writing quality, explicit instruction challenges, integrating storytelling techniques, using mnemonic devices for reader engagement, enhancing writing skills through rocket projects, and the future of AI-generated writing prompts.

Deputy head academic Kristian Still discusses test-enhanced learning techniques to empower students, focusing on retrieval practice, spacing, and re-learning. He explores strategies for enhancing comprehension of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' with flashcards and interactive games. The importance of teacher well-being for sustainability in education is also highlighted.

Exploring de-implementation in education, Arran Hamilton and Dylan Wiliam emphasize giving up old practices for new ones. They discuss challenges in reallocating resources, proposing high-level strategies, and the significance of AI in education. The conversation also touches on effective altruism, efficiency in daily tasks, and promoting a weekly newsletter for educators.