Chalk & Talk is a podcast hosted by math professor Anna Stokke, featuring conversations with leading educators about the importance of math, effective teaching methods, and debunking common myths about math and teaching. The show aims to help parents, educators, and students sort myths from facts in education. Each episode explores topics related to math education and evidence-based teaching practices.
Episodes
How Do We Learn? What Memory Research Means for Teaching with Héctor Ruiz Martín (Ep 83)
Why do students forget what they’ve learned, and why is it so difficult to apply knowledge in new situations?
Anna Stokke is joined by researcher and author Héctor Ruiz Martín to discuss what cognitive science tells us about learning and effective teaching. They explore the role of prior knowledge, why transfer is difficult, and how retrieval practice, spacing, assessment, motivation, and feedback
The Science of Clear Math Teaching with Kristopher Boulton (Ep 82)
What if many of the errors students make in math are predictable consequences of the way we teach them? In this episode, Anna is joined by Kristopher Boulton, founder and CEO of Unstoppable Learning to explore how better instructional design can help prevent misconceptions and make difficult math concepts more accessible. Kris insists that it should be possible to achieve 100% success in math for
Making Sense of PISA 2025 with Montserrat Gomendio (Ep 81)
In this episode, Anna is joined by Dr. Montserrat Gomendio, former Deputy Director for Education at the OECD, to discuss the newly released PISA 2025 results.
They explore why student achievement is falling in many countries. They discuss whether COVID, smartphones, and AI explain the declines, why some education systems are holding up better than others, and what policymakers can learn from coun
How Two Teachers Turned Math Achievement Around with Max and Todd (Ep 80)
In this episode, Anna is joined by two elementary school teachers from California who are appearing anonymously so they can speak candidly about their experiences.
Both teach at a school where math achievement has remained consistently low.
After watching many of their students struggle with the curriculum they were expected to use (Illustrative Math), they began exploring research, learning about
Math Fact Crisis, Two Years Later with Brian Poncy (Ep 79)
In this episode, Anna is joined by returning guest Dr. Brian Poncy to discuss math fact fluency and whether improving students’ fluency with basic number operations leads to better overall math achievement.
Brian shares new results from the first year of a large implementation of the free Facts on Fire program in a Texas school district. They discuss what the data shows, how the program has evolve
The Science and Craft of Great Teaching with Nidhi Sachdeva and Paul Kirschner (Ep 78)
In this episode, Anna is joined by returning guests Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva and Dr. Paul Kirschner, authors of the upcoming book Becoming an Expert Teacher: Deliberate Practice for Effective Teaching.
They explore what makes an expert teacher and how teaching expertise can be deliberately developed. They discuss the importance of deep subject knowledge, mental models, deliberate practice, and reflectio
Five math myths that are holding students back (Ep 77)
In this solo episode, Anna Stokke explores five common misconceptions in math education that may sound convincing but aren't supported by high-quality evidence. This episode is based on a chapter she wrote for The Practice Project, which is a joint initiative of the American Enterprise Institute and researchED, dedicated to improving classroom practice through research-informed professional knowle
The Story Behind Mississippi’s Education Turnaround with Rachel Canter (Ep 76)
In this episode, Anna Stokke is joined by Rachel Canter, Director of Education Policy for the Reinventing America's Schools Project and author of the report Inside the Mississippi Marathon. They explore how Mississippi transformed from one of the lowest-performing states in fourth grade reading and math to one of the highest-performing in the U.S., despite Mississippi being one of the poorest stat
How high expectations drive student achievement with Doug Lemov (Ep 75)
In this episode, Anna Stokke is joined by Doug Lemov, author of Teach Like a Champion and one of the most influential voices on effective teaching practice. They discuss educational equity and why strong teaching, clear behaviour routines, high expectations, and academic rigor are essential for helping every student succeed.
They also discuss practical classroom strategies, including how to use co
Mailbag II: Math standards, teacher content knowledge, and more with Jonathan Regino (Ep 74)
In this special two-part Chalk & Talk mailbag series, Anna Stokke is joined by Jonathan Regino, Pre-K–12 Supervisor of Math at Interboro School District, to answer questions submitted by listeners.
In Part 2, Anna and Jonathan tackle topics such as calculators in IEPs, math fact fluency, teacher content knowledge, the importance of mastering fractions, the role of NCTM in math education, and w
Mailbag I: Choosing math resources and handling mixed classes with Jon Regino
In this special two-part Chalk & Talk mailbag episode, Anna Stokke is joined by Jonathan Regino, Pre-K–12 Supervisor of Math at Interboro School District, to answer questions submitted by listeners.
Together, they answer questions from teachers and parents about math resources, explicit instruction, teaching mixed ability classes, supporting advanced learners, and more. Drawing on their experi
Inside one of England’s top-performing non-selective schools with Robert Peal (Ep 72)
In this episode, Anna Stokke is joined by Robert Peal, joint head teacher of West London Free School, one of England’s highest-performing non-selective schools. Robert is also the author of Progressively Worse and co-author, with Nick Gibb, of Reforming Lessons: Why English Schools Have Improved Since 2010 and How This Was Achieved. Anna visited West London Free School recently and invited Rober
Conviction vs. evidence: What’s driving math education’s worst policies with Thomas Briggs and David Shuck (Ep 71)
In this episode, Anna Stokke continues the conversation from the previous episode on what happens when requests for evidence are dismissed with the phrase “research shows.” She is joined by Thomas Briggs and David Shuck from the Center for Educational Progress to explore why ineffective or unsupported practices persist in education.
Thomas and David introduce an important distinction between misun
What to do when “Research Shows” shuts you down: A guide for parents and teachers (Ep 70)
In this episode, Anna Stokke explores what to do when a math program or education initiative doesn’t seem to work, but you’re told "research shows" that it does.
Drawing on her personal experience as both a parent and educator navigating “research shows” claims, Anna explains how parents, teachers, and advocates can ask for evidence, evaluate what counts as credible research, and respond when weak
We know more about teaching than ever—so why is change so slow? with Joanna Barbousas (Ep 69)
In this episode, Anna is joined by Professor Joanna Barbousas, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Education, Impact and Innovation, and Dean of the School of Education at La Trobe University in Australia.
Early in her career, Joanna noticed that many capable students struggled to access the curriculum due to gaps in foundational reading and language skills—an insight that has shaped her work ever since.
Now,
The Finland myth, East Asia’s rise, and what makes education systems work with Montserrat Gomendio (Ep 68)
In this episode, Anna is joined by Dr. Montserrat (Montse) Gomendio, a former Secretary of State for Education in Spain. Montse is also a former Deputy Director of Education for the OECD, the international organization that administers the PISA test. Drawing on global data, including from PISA, Montse explains why some education systems consistently perform well while others struggle to improve.
Cognitive load theory and learning math with John Sweller (Ep 67)
In this episode, Anna is joined by Dr. John Sweller, emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales and the researcher best known for developing Cognitive Load Theory. Together, they explore how cognitive load theory should guide classroom practice, particularly in mathematics.
John explains the limits of working memory, how experts and novices approach problem solving differently, and ho
Desirable difficulties for learning with Elizabeth Bjork and Robert Bjork (Ep 66)
In this episode, Anna is joined by two world-renowned experts in human memory and learning, Dr. Elizabeth Bjork and Dr. Robert Bjork, to explore what makes a difficulty desirable in learning.
They explain why some learning strategies that feel effortful often leads to stronger, longer-lasting retention while strategies that feel easy, like rereading or rewatching lectures without self-testing, or
Science of Math: The movement everyone's talking about with Sarah Powell (Ep. 65)
In this episode, Anna is joined once again by Dr. Sarah Powell, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin whose research focusses on supporting students with math difficulties. They respond to a recent NCSM statement criticizing the Science of
Math movement.
Anna and Sarah unpack what the Science of Math is and why high-quality evidence matters. They address misconceptions about explicit
Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction with Tom Sherrington (Ep 64)
In this episode, Anna is joined by Tom Sherrington, education consultant, author of Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, co-author of the Teaching Walkthrough series, and a former teacher and school leader with over 30 years of experience. Tom shares how Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction became a foundational framework for his own practice and why they remain one of the most useful entry points
Teaching math so students learn with Craig Barton (Ep 63)
In this episode, Anna is joined by Craig Barton, former secondary maths teacher, host of the Mr. Barton Maths Podcast, author of How I Wish I’d Taught Maths, and a new Tips for Teachers book series. Craig reflects on how his teaching evolved after engaging deeply with learning science and educational research.
Together, they explore what effective explicit instruction looks like in math from atomi
Why more classroom technology is making students learn less (Ep 62)
In this episode, Anna is joined by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, a cognitive neuroscientist, educator, and bestselling author of The Digital Delusion. They examine what decades of research and international data reveal about classroom technology, screens, multitasking, attention, and memory, and why more technology often leads to less learning.
Jared explains how offloading knowledge to devices can un
Why students struggle in math and how to fix it with Barbara Oakley and John Mighton (Ep 61)
In this episode, Anna is joined by two familiar guests, mathematician and founder of JUMP Math, Dr. John Mighton, and learning expert and bestselling author Dr. Barbara Oakley. They discuss their new Coursera course, Making Math Click: Understanding Math Without Fear, what learning science reveals about how students learn math, and why practice and worked examples play such a critical role in buil
Rebuilding teacher training through cognitive science with Jonas Linderoth (Ep 60)
In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. Jonas Linderoth, a professor of education at the University of Gothenburg, about how influential educational ideas have shaped the teaching profession and why evidence from cognitive science and educational psychology still faces resistance in teacher education. They discuss how education reforms of the 1990s affected teacher status and student outcomes, and Jo
Why reading became a human rights issue in Canada with George Georgiou (Ep 59)
In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. George Georgiou, an educational psychologist and professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, whose work focuses on preventing and remediating reading difficulties. The episode explores recent Human Rights Commission investigations in Canadian provinces that examined why students haven’t been taught to read using effective, evidence-based
When a mathematician became education minister: Nuno Crato on transforming education (Ep 58)
In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Nuno Crato, research professor of mathematics and statistics at the University of Lisbon. He was Portugal’s former Minister of Education and led major education reforms from 2011 to 2015. His education reforms contributed to Portugal’s strongest-ever results on international assessments like PISA and TIMSS. Nuno shares his belief that everything starts wi
Top takeaways from Anita Archer on explicit instruction (abridged version of Ep 57)
This episode features top takeaways from Anna Stokke’s interview: The Power of Explicit Instruction with Dr. Anita Archer. If you haven’t heard the full conversation yet, you can find the entire episode on the Chalk & Talk YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/EE5wvi-xQTM?si=Wx8W4eb5YOqdWEvM
Anita is one of the world’s leading experts on explicit instruction and co-author of the bestselling book E
The power of explicit instruction with Anita Archer (Ep 57)
Episode 57: The power of explicit instruction with Anita Archer
In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Anita Archer, one of the world’s leading experts on explicit instruction and co-author of the bestselling book Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching. They discuss what explicit instruction is, why it’s both effective and efficient, and what the research says about its impact.
Unmasking instructional illusions with Paul Kirschner, Carl Hendrick and Jim Heal (Ep 56)
In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes three leading experts in education, Dr. Paul Kirschner, Dr. Carl Hendrick, and Dr. Jim Heal for a fascinating discussion about their new book, Instructional Illusions. Drawing on decades of experience and research, they explore key ideas from the book, including how to bridge the gap between educational research and classroom practice. Together, they discuss t
Mailbag: How to get started with evidence-based math instruction & tackle gaps with Jonathan Regino (Ep 55)
In this episode, Anna Stokke hosts an informative mailbag edition with guest Jonathan Regino, supervisor of math (pre-K-12) at Interboro School District in Pennsylvania and an experienced classroom teacher.
Drawing on their combined experience and expertise, they tackle listener questions, ranging from how to address large knowledge gaps among students to program recommendations. They also offer g
Balanced literacy didn’t work—will balanced math? with Ben Solomon (Ep 54)
In this episode, Anna Stokke speaks with Dr. Ben Solomon, professor and researcher at the University at Albany with expertise in math assessment and intervention. Ben returns to the podcast to discuss “balanced math” and the recently released New York math briefs, which are part of the state’s numeracy initiative, and are set to shape professional development across New York.
He explains why he an
Using the Instructional Hierarchy to teach math with Brendan Lee (Ep 53)
In this episode, Anna Stokke chats with Brendan Lee, a teacher and educational consultant focused on bridging the gap between educational research and classroom practice. They discuss the instructional hierarchy and how teachers can tailor their teaching based on where students are in their learning journey––whether it’s the acquisition, fluency, generalisation, or adaptation stage. Brendan shares
The case for practice and the power of Math Corps with Alex Kontorovich (Ep 52)
In this episode, Anna Stokke has an engaging conversation Dr. Alex Kontorovich, a math professor at Rutgers University with a strong passion for math outreach. They explore why practice in math is often undervalued compared to disciplines like music or sports. They also discuss Math Corps, which is a summer math program for kids that combines evidence-based learning strategies with high expectatio
Rocking the times tables with Bruno Reddy (Ep 51)
In this episode, Anna Stokke chats with Bruno Reddy, a math teacher and the creator of Times Tables Rock Stars. They discuss his journey from founding a school to creating Times Tables Rock Stars to address foundational skill gaps. Bruno shares great ideas for generating excitement in the math classroom and motivating students to practice essential math facts. They also discuss the importance of m
Universal screening in math with Amanda VanDerHeyden (Ep 50)
Host and math professor Anna Stokke talks to Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden about a topic many Chalk & Talk listeners have asked about: universal screening in math. Amanda explains what universal screening is, why it matters, and how schools can use it to identify students who need extra support. They also discuss how to choose validated screeners, common mistakes to avoid, and how screening connect
From decline to top rankings: How England transformed education with Nick Gibb (Ep 49)
In this episode, Anna Stokke interviews The Right Honourable Sir Nick Gibb, former Minister of State for Schools in England. Nick discusses the bold, evidence-based reforms he led over a decade to reverse declining academic performance in English schools. From phonics-based reading instruction to math mastery, he explains how high expectations, rigorous curricula, and a focus on teacher training t
How we learn: Naive, purposeful, and deliberate practice with Stephen Chew (Ep 48)
Join math professor Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Stephen Chew, a cognitive psychologist at Samford University. They explore the different types of practice—naive, purposeful, and deliberate—and why understanding these distinctions can transform teaching and improve learning. The discussion also covers how to use feedback effectively, structure worked examples in math class, address common
Mailbag: Math facts vs calculators, a logic problem, the Southern surge (Ep 47)
In this special mailbag episode, Anna Stokke tackles two listener questions and a comment. She breaks down a logic puzzle that stumped some fans, explains why relying on calculators isn’t a substitute for math fact fluency, and highlights comments from a listener about encouraging literacy trends in several Southern U.S. states.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:00:00] Introduction and Mailbag Announcement
[00:01:08
Reclaiming learning time to boost literacy and numeracy with Ross Fox (Ep 46)
In Episode 46, Anna Stokke chats with Australian education leader Ross Fox. As the former Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Ross led a major shift in teaching practices that led to significant gains in both literacy and numeracy.
The episode begins with an overview of the Australian education system. They then explore Ross’s implementation of the Cataly
A decade of decline: Examining falling test scores with Mike Petrilli (Ep 45)
In this episode, host and math professor Anna Stokke interviews Mike Petrilli, President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, about the role of standardized testing in K–12 education. They discuss the benefits and criticisms of standardized tests, the methodologies behind tests like NAEP, international comparisons with PISA and TIMSS, long-term trends in student performance, and the consequences of
Mailbag: Building Thinking Classrooms, number talks & more with Zach Groshell (Ep 44)
Dr. Anna Stokke and guest Dr. Zach Groshell answer listener questions in a special mailbag episode. They cover strategies for managing varying levels of math proficiency in the classroom, critique the Building Thinking Classrooms approach, and discuss whether number talks should be prioritized for developing math fact fluency. This discussion provides practical insights and critiques on current ed
How advocacy is changing reading instruction with Jamie Metsala (Ep 43)
Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Jamie Metsala, one of two content area experts on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read public inquiry. Jamie shares her expertise on the importance of strong early instruction in foundational reading skills, the pitfalls of balanced literacy, and the urgent need for evidence-based practices in education. They explore the role of parent advo
Math Academy: Optimizing student learning with Alex Smith and Justin Skycak (Ep 42)
Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Alex Smith, Director of Curriculum, and Justin Skycak, Director of Analytics, from Math Academy. Math Academy is an AI-powered online learning platform designed around science of learning principles. They discuss Bloom's 2 sigma problem and explore how Math Academy aims to address it. They also explain how the platform leverages knowledge graphs to suppo
Supporting students with math difficulties with Sarah Powell (Ep 41)
Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Sarah Powell, a leading expert in teaching students with math difficulties. They discuss the shortcomings of a recent joint position statement by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) on teaching math to students with disabilities.
Sarah critiques the statement’s failure to include critical ev
From math to science: How weak math skills hurt students with Therese Markow (Ep 40)
In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Therese Markow, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, and host of the Critically Speaking podcast. They discuss the critical intersection of math and science education.
Therese shares her firsthand experiences as a geneticist and post-secondary educator, highlighting the alarming decline in basic numeracy among students and its imp
Project Follow Through: Direct Instruction's overlooked success with Marcy Stein (Ep 39)
Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Marcy Stein, professor emeritus from the University of Washington, Tacoma, about her firsthand experience with Direct Instruction (DI) and Project Follow Through—the world’s largest educational experiment. Despite showing DI’s effectiveness with at-risk students, the results were largely ignored.
Marcy shares insights into the origins of DI, its instructio
Boosting attention and learning with Blake Harvard (Ep 38)
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Blake Harvard, a secondary teacher in Alabama. They discuss insights from his new book, Do I Have Your Attention?, including how he incorporates cognitive psychology into his teaching.
Their conversation explores topics like cognitive architecture, memory constraints, attention contagion and common learning pitfalls. Blake provides practical
Homework that works with Jo Castelino (Ep 37)
Join Anna Stokke as she chats with Dr. Jo Castelino, a secondary school teacher, to discuss her new book on homework. They discuss the vital role of homework in education, exploring why it's important, how much should be assigned and what types of homework are most effective. Jo shares insights from research and her experiences, addressing common criticisms of homework, strategies for creating a
How to Build Automaticity with Math Facts: A Practical Guide (Ep 36)
This solo episode, hosted by Anna Stokke, provides educators, parents, and students with practical, research-backed methods to develop math fact automaticity. These techniques have been shown to work with a wide range of students across age, skills and settings. Key techniques discussed include flashcards, cover-copy-compare, taped problems, incremental rehearsal and explicit timing, with detaile
Preparation for university math with Darja Barr and Dan Wolczuk (Ep 35)
Join Anna Stokke in conversation with two university math instructors, Dr. Darja Barr from the University of Manitoba and Dan Wolczuk from the University of Waterloo.
What does it take to succeed in university math? Which topics are most critical for success in university calculus? They cover these questions and more in this episode, which is a must-listen for educators, parents and aspiring unive
Transforming education through behaviour science with Kimberly Berens (Ep 34)
Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Kimberly Berens in Episode 34 of Chalk & Talk. Kimberly is a behaviour scientist, an author, and the founder of FIT Learning. They discuss the fundamentals of behaviour science, the importance of measurable outcomes, the role of reinforcement, and the application of behaviour science to effective instruction, particularly in math. They also cover con
Educational leadership: Improving math and literacy with Scott Hill (Ep 33)
Host Anna Stokke speaks with Scott Hill, Superintendent of Evergreen School Division. They discuss Evergreen's proactive approach to improving education, particularly focusing on mathematics and literacy. Scott shares how his division tackled low math scores by interviewing students, addressing behaviour issues, employing structured instructional methods, and providing consistent common assessmen
Identifying and educating advanced students with Jonathan Plucker (Ep 32)
Math professor Anna Stokke speaks with Dr. Jonathan Plucker, a professor and director of the Education Policy Program at Johns Hopkins University, about advanced education, acceleration and academic streaming. Jonathan discusses the flaws in traditional methods of identifying advanced students and advocates for universal screening to ensure equitable access to advanced programs. They cover various
Exploring evidence for equitable education with Nidhi Sachdeva and Jim Hewitt (Ep 31)
Join math professor Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva and Dr. Jim Hewitt, educators and researchers at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. They discuss their co-designed course on the science of learning and its impact on educational practice. The episode expands on their recent presentation on equitable instruction at ResearchEd Ca
Math fluency matters with Brian Poncy (Ep 30)
In the second episode of a two-part series, math professor Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Brian Poncy, a school psychology professor at Oklahoma State University, who specializes in math interventions. His extensive research on basic fact fluency led to the development of a free math program called M.I.N.D, aimed at improving numeracy and computational skills.
They begin by discussing five compell
Math fact crisis: strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy (Ep 29)
In this first episode of a two-part series, math professor Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Brian Poncy, a school psychology professor at Oklahoma State University, who specializes in math interventions. His extensive research on basic fact fluency led to the development of a free math program called M.I.N.D, aimed at improving numeracy and computational skills.
In the episode, Brian stresses that w
Autism and evidence-based math instruction with Katharine Beals (Ep 28)
In episode 28, math professor Anna Stokke interviews Dr. Katharine Beals, who is a linguist and expert in using evidence-based instruction to teach students with autism. Katharine is the author of several books on autism, including one focused on autism-friendly curriculum and instruction.
They begin the episode with an overview of autism, where Katharine describes some of its defining characteri
Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow (Ep 27)
In Episode 27, math professor Anna Stokke talks with Dr. Pamela Snow, a cognitive psychology professor at La Trobe University’s School of Education in Australia. She is renowned for her expertise in language and literacy instruction and co-founded the Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab at La Trobe, which assists schools in adopting scientific approaches to enhance reading instruction.
Cognitive load theory in math class with David Morkunas (Ep 26)
In Episode 26, math professor Anna Stokke is joined by David Morkunas, who is an Australian teacher and numeracy learning specialist. Their conversation focusses on practical applications of cognitive load theory and explicit instruction for teaching math.
They discuss David’s role in overseeing a primary math program. He shares strategies for incorporating cognitive science principles into dai
Understanding math reform ideology with Tom Loveless (Ep 25)
In this episode, math professor Anna Stokke is joined by education policy expert, Dr. Tom Loveless. They discuss the National Math Advisory Panel and some of the recommendations in from its final report. They talk about the influential 1989 NCTM standards and their global impact on math education as well as the history of the math wars.
Tom discusses some of his concerns about the California Mat
Raising student achievement with Dylan Wiliam (Ep 24)
In Episode 24, Anna Stokke interviews Dr. Dylan Wiliam, who is an education researcher renowned for his expertise on formative assessment. They begin by discussing PISA scores and the need to improve math proficiency. They then focus on Dylan's two primary recommendations for raising student achievement – a knowledge-rich curriculum and investing in enhancing teacher effectiveness.
They also dis
Red flags in education research with Ben Solomon (Ep 23)
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, for a discussion with Dr. Ben Solomon in the final episode of the first season of Chalk & Talk. Ben is a psychology professor and a researcher in math assessment and intervention, known for his expertise in research methodology. One of the goals of this episode is to provide teachers, parents, and the wider public with tools for critically evaluating claims i
Mindsets and educational misconceptions with Carl Hendrick (Ep 22)
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with author and educator Dr. Carl Hendrick. They begin by discussing research on growth mindset. Then, they discuss whether motivation is a precursor to academic success or if, in fact, success is more likely to lead to motivation. They talk about whether engagement is a valid measure of learning and whether it's possible to teach generic skills l
Ep 21. The right to learn math with Daniel Ansari
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, as she interviews Dr. Daniel Ansari, who is a Canada Research Chair in developmental cognitive neuroscience. They discuss the importance of early numeracy skills and his research on symbolic representations. They talk about similarities and differences between math and reading. They also debunk the misconception of gender differences in math.
Responding to a ques
Ep 20. Reading and math: parallels and pitfalls with Matthew Burns
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, for a discussion about reading and math with Dr. Matthew Burns. He is well-known for his research in reading instruction, including research on the effectiveness of the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System. He has also published research on math interventions. He gives a brief history of reading instruction and explains how ideas about how to teach
Ep 19. The Calculus Project with Adrian Mims
Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Adrian Mims. He is the co-founder and CEO of the Calculus Project, which is a non-profit organization that aims to increase the number of Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and low-income students taking calculus, starting with support in middle school.
They discuss why he started The Calculus Project, the various components of the program, and its overall impac
Ep 18. Education myth-busting with Daisy Christodoulou
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Daisy Christodoulou. Daisy is a teacher, an author and the Director of Education at No More Marking. They begin by discussing the myth that facts prevent understanding and the importance of content knowledge, with a side discussion on why it is important to memorize math facts. They discuss why basic knowledge cannot just be outsourced to co
Ep 17. Do timed tests cause math anxiety? with Robin Codding
In Episode 17, Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Robin Codding to talk about timed tests and math anxiety. Robin is a psychology professor who researches math interventions, assessment tools and math anxiety. She is one of the founding members of the group The Science of Math.
In this episode, Anna asks Robin to shed some light on claims that timed tests cause math anxiety. They discuss the rela
Ep 16. Applying cognitive science to education with Daniel Willingham
In Episode 16, Anna Stokke talks to cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Daniel Willingham. Dan shares some of the strategies in his latest book, "Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning Is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy."
They begin by addressing the learning styles myth. They discuss what constitutes retrieval practice in a math context and why retrieval practice is more effective than
Ep 15. Modern relevance in the math curriculum with Brian Conrad
Join Anna Stokke in discussion with Dr. Brian Conrad, who is a math professor and director of undergraduate studies in math at Stanford. They discuss some modern-day applications of math, and he gives some advice for parents who wonder what type of math their kids should learn to be ready for a four-year college degree in STEM or other quantitative fields.
Listeners will receive an update on what
Ep 14. Stress and learning with Dan Rosen
Join Anna Stokke in discussion with Dr. Dan Rosen, who is a teacher and school leader. They explore the impact of stress on learning. They talk about the biology of stress, the difference between anxiety and stress, and common factors that trigger stress for students in the classroom.
They also discuss misconceptions about stress. For example, stress may actually enhance learning at certain sta
Ep 13. Powerful teaching with Patrice Bain
In Episode 13, Anna Stokke discusses teaching with Patrice Bain, who is a co-author of the book Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning. Patrice was one of the first K-12 teachers to partner with cognitive scientists so that research could be conducted in a classroom setting. This episode is all about using research-based power tools to transform teaching. They discuss retrieval prac
Ep 12. California’s math controversy with Jelani Nelson Part II
This is the second episode of a two-part series featuring Dr. Jelani Nelson. He is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at UC Berkeley. Dr. Nelson, and other STEM leaders, have publicly raised concerns about the proposed California Math Framework (CMF).
In this episode, Anna Stokke and Jelani Nelson discuss whether students should have the option of acc
Ep 11. California’s math controversy with Jelani Nelson Part I
This is the first episode of a two-part series featuring Dr. Jelani Nelson. He is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at UC Berkeley. Dr. Nelson, and other STEM leaders, have publicly raised concerns about the proposed California Math Framework (CMF). In this episode, much of the discussion surrounds the CMF’s promotion of data science and changes to ma
Ep 10. Maximizing learning through explicit instruction with Zach Groshell
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, as she chats with Dr. Zach Groshell. He is an instructional coach and a passionate advocate for evidence-informed teaching. They discuss whether it’s possible to expand working memory, the characteristics of a successful explicit instruction lesson, effective approaches for delivering feedback and more. They also tackle a question sent in by a listener who aske
Ep 9. The tweet that roared with Tom Bennett
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Tom Bennett. He is a teacher, author and founder of the grass roots, non-profit organization ResearchED. Tom has a captivating sense of humour, making this a great listen. They discuss many things in this episode, such as education research, group work, cell phones in schools and evidence-informed teaching. But the conversation begins with
Ep 8. Lessons from around the world with Lucy Crehan
In this episode math professor, Anna Stokke, interviews Lucy Crehan, who is a teacher and an author. In her book, Cleverlands, she presents her first-hand observations of the education systems in different countries.
They discuss teacher qualifications in Finland and Singapore, teacher professional development in Japan and math lessons in Shanghai. They cover some commonalities in high-performing
Ep 7. How to excel in math and other tough subjects with Barbara Oakley
Join Anna Stokke as she interviews Dr. Barbara Oakley, an engineering professor whose work focusses on the relationship between neuroscience and social behaviour. She is an expert on learning tough subjects and has written several books for teachers and students that detail science-based techniques for learning.
They cover learning techniques such as chunking and deliberate practice. They explo
Ep 6. Math teaching tips with Barry Garelick and JR Wilson
In this episode, Anna Stokke is joined by two experienced teachers, Barry Garelick and JR Wilson. They have recently published a book called Traditional Math: an effective strategy that teachers feel guilty using. Throughout the interview, Barry and JR share strategies and practical advice that they have used in their own classrooms with great success.
They cover topics that will resonate with tea
Ep 5. Critical issues in education with Matt Henderson
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Matt Henderson, an assistant superintendent of a school division in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, challenges with online teaching, and the pervasive use of cell phones and social media. They also discuss the implications of AI, particularly ChatGPT, on education. The conversation
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