The Impact Podcast

How can you make learning effortless? In this episode, Jane and Fin discuss the research and some of the techniques teachers can use in the classroom. LINKSFollow us on BlueSky:@impactwales.bsky.socialWelsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’:www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Generative learning is the process of making connections between new and existing learning. It is how learners become active participants in their own learning, rather than passively receiving information. In this episode Fin and Jane discuss how teachers can implement generative learning in the classroom.LINKSFollow us on BlueSky:@impactwales.bsky.socialWelsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’:www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

In this episode, Jane and Fin bring you up to date with the latest educational news and announcements from the Welsh Government and elsewhere. LINKSFollow us on BlueSky:@impactwales.bsky.socialWelsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’:www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

A journalist uncovers the challenges of early reading standards in Wales, sparking discussions around educator concerns. Key insights reveal the complexities of reading instruction, especially the tension between phonics and cueing techniques. The conversation critiques government policies that overlook functional illiteracy, while advocating for better alignment with scientific research. Frustrations mount over the lack of clear guidance from authorities, emphasizing the need for accountability to improve literacy and prioritize student welfare.

There’s a significant body of research that shows retrieval practice is an effective and powerful learning strategy. In this episode Jane and Fin discuss retrieval practice and how teachers can make the bridge between research and classroom practice.LINKSFollow us on BlueSky:@impactwales.bsky.socialWelsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’:www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Writing is an essential skill for life, but creating a curriculum that helps pupils develop all the different elements of writing is a specialist skill. In this episode, Fin and Jane break down what writing is and how to get it right. LINKSFollow us on BlueSky:@impactwales.bsky.socialWelsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’:www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

In this episode Fin and Jane discuss the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic and the lockdowns on pupils’ behaviour in the classroom - what’s happening and what are teachers experiencing?LINKSFollow us on BlueSky: @impactwales.bsky.socialWelsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’: www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Since starting this podcast Fin and Jane have interviewed two Welsh Education Ministers - Kirsty Williams and Jeremy Miles - putting to them questions from teachers and school leaders. Current Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle has been invited, but she has so far declined. In this episode, Fin and Jane discuss some of the questions they would ask Ms Neagle and how she might respond, based on her public statements so far. LINKSFollow us on BlueSky: @impactwales.bsky.socialWelsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’: www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

With education funding in Wales in such a dire situation, school improvement is stalling and professional learning is not taking place. In this episode Jane and Fin discuss some fixes to mitigate against the problems. LINKSFollow us on BlueSky: @impactwales.bsky.socialWelsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’: www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

This episode features several conversations with teachers about the work Impact has done in their schools and the difference the support has made. To hear the conversations in full, you can listen back to the following episodes of the Impact Podcast: Episode 123: Tracking progress in CfW: https://www.impact.wales/podcasts/podcast/364fb01c-f13a-4d15-98ce-d97dad21f120/ Episode 127: Tracking progress in CfW, part 2: https://www.impact.wales/podcasts/podcast/74d4f00f-3cc6-42fc-95e9-d698bc39071d/ Episode 146: A culture of professional learning, with Sue Marles : https://www.impact.wales/podcasts/podcast/e5247939-39b2-442f-ab75-3153d951144b/ LINKS Follow us on BlueSky: @impactwales.bsky.social Welsh Medium ‘Pedagogy at the Heart of CfW - Professional Learning Pack’: www.impact.wales/product/addysgeg-yn-cig-addysgu-a-phwrpas/ Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906 Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068 Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur