Knowledge for Teachers

S02E21 - Dr. Nathaniel Swain On Prioritising What Matters: A Deep Dive into the Science of Learning

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He returns for the third time and this time it’s to unpack his new book Harnessing the Science of Learning. However, as you will hear, they actually go beyond the book and dig into some of the critical considerations that schools and teachers need to be making. They explore how to make teaching and learning the top priority in your school, reclaiming valuable instructional time often lost to distractions. They also unpack the essential elements of effective literacy and numeracy instruction, going beyond the surface level to understand the importance of a knowledge-rich curriculum, explicit teaching techniques, and structured implementation processes.
They look at why teaching should be “Fun in the service of learning, not in spite of Learning” and some of the common barriers that school leaders face when initiating change.
Resources mentioned:
Think Forward Educators
Bentleigh West PS
Riverwood PS
Churchill PS
Challis Community PS
Steve Capp
Lyn Stone
David Morkunas
Core Knowledge Foundation
Toni Hattan-Roberts
Doug Lemov
Tom Sherrington
Dr. Zach Groshell
Dr. Simon Breakspear
Katie Roberts-Hull
Helen Hughes
 
You can connect with Nathaniel:
Twitter: @NathanielRSwain
Facebook
Linkedin
Order Nathaniel's book, "Harnessing the Science of Learning"
Website: www.nathanielswain.com
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E20 - Dr. Zach Groshell and Brendan Lee on coaching, culture and change

This is the second conversation between Dr. Zach Groshell and Brendan Lee. For those that don’t know, Zach is the host of the Progressively Incorrect Podcast and also the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching. In this episode, they take a deep dive into some of the key considerations that schools need to take when it comes to instructional coaching.
 
For this episode, Zach’s four items were:
Schools need an instructional focus for coaching to be successful.  
Coaching is not only about teaching techniques, but also about fostering teacher judgement. 
Relationships with teachers should not overshadow the goal of coaching
Coaching cycles and drop ins don’t need to take all that long
 
Brendan’s four points were:
Coaches need to shrink the change
Coaching should feel like a development process, rather than a judgemental one
Participants need to own the problem
Get granular with goal setting
 
Resources mentioned:
Steplab
Josh Goodrich - Responsive Coaching
Teach Like a Champion
Peps Mccrea
Jim Knight
Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus
You can connect with Zach:
Twitter: @mrzachg
Podcast: Progressively Incorrect
Website: educationrickshaw.com
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Implementing the Science of Learning - For School Leaders
10% off Discount code: MATESRATES
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E19 - Professor Nancy Jordan on Number Sense, Early Numeracy Screeners and Fractions

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Nancy Jordan. She has been at the forefront of all things to do with early numeracy research including looking at screeners and intervention. Many of you come from the science of reading world and are fans of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, Nancy and colleagues have put together a Number Sense one! I’ve popped the citation in the show notes. 
 
Throughout this conversation she delves into what number sense is, why it’s important, how we can develop it and how to assess it. Nancy also covers the role of manipulatives and the transition to understanding fractions. 
Resources mentioned:
SENS: Screener for Early Number Sense
Number Sense Interventions
Jordan, N. C., Devlin, B. L., & Botello, M. (2022). Core foundations of early mathematics: refining the number sense framework. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 46, 101181.
ICME
Ginsburg, Greenes, & Balfanz - Big Math for Little Kids
Bob Siegler
Nora Newcomb
Chelsea Cutting.
What Works Clearinghouse
 
You can connect with Nancy:
Twitter: @Dr_nancyjordan
Email: njordan@udel.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/udel.edu/nancy-jordan/
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E18 - Rhonda Filmer on Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Rhonda Filmer, a gifted education consultant and teacher, she discusses her journey into the field and the importance of understanding neurodiversity and twice exceptional students. She has recently released a book, “Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student” and they delve into some of the key points from the book throughout the episode.
Resources mentioned:
Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University
Tom Bennett
Michelle Ronksley-Pavia
Gifted Education Resource Center at New South Wales University
Miraca Gross
SPELD NSW
You can connect with Rhonda:
Linkedin
Book: Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E17 - Brendan Lee and Dr. Zach Groshell on the nuances of teaching effectively

In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee and Dr. Zach Groshell (Host of the Progressively Incorrect podcast) collaborated in the first of a series of episodes together. The theme for this episode was around what are the main principles that teachers need to understand about how learning happens and what are the key mechanisms of effective instruction.
Zach’s 4 points were:
Intrinsic motivation is a lofty goal but can't be depended upon.
Use generative learning strategies after building prior knowledge - and without the help of AI. 
The environment is not the "Third Teacher" but it can be designed optimally. 
We might underestimate how much students appreciate receiving feedback.
Brendan’s 4 points were:
The instructional hierarchy is the single most important thing for teachers to know
Desirable difficulties optimises learning
Attaining and retaining attention is easier said than done
Designing learning is more than just sequencing concepts in small steps
 
Resources mentioned:
Haring and Eaton’s Instructional Hierarchy
Bjork and Bjork’s Desirable Difficulties
Fiorella and Mayer - Eight Ways to Promote Generative Learning
Stanislas Dehaene - How we learn
Daniel Willingham - Why don’t students like school
Amanda VanDerHeyden
Dylan Wiliam
 
You can connect with Zach:
Twitter: @mrzachg
Podcast: Progressively Incorrect
Website: educationrickshaw.com
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
 
* This was originally published on 15 Sep 2024 with poor sound quality, it was re-published on 20 Sep 2024 with improved sound quality! Hope you enjoy the episode!

S02E16 - Charlotte Peverett on the importance of having high expectations for all students including diverse learners

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Charlotte Peverett, an experienced learning specialist and inclusion outreach coach, who shares her journey into teaching and special education. Charlotte discusses the significance of structures and routines in creating a safe and consistent learning environment. Charlotte also emphasises the importance of high expectations for all students and the role of teachers in preparing them for adulthood and functioning in society. In this conversation, Charlotte and Brendan discuss the importance of positive reinforcement and effective implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in schools. They also speak the role of leadership in planning and using data to drive improvement.
Resources mentioned:
Tom Bennett
La Trobe University - SOLAR Lab
Sherrington & Caviglioli - Teaching WalkthrusYou can listen to Tom speak about this on episode 5 of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast
Christopher Such - The Art and Science of Teaching Primary ReadingYou can listen to Chris speak about this on episode 17 of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast
Rosenshine’s Principles
You can connect with Charlotte:
Twitter: @lifeoflottie
Facebook: Science of Learning - Special Education Australia
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
 
About Charlotte Peverett
Charlotte is an autistic, special education Learning Specialist/Inclusion Outreach Coach in South-West Victoria. Her specialty is literacy and language intervention with a passion to introduce research and evidence-based practices into mainstream and specialist settings. Charlotte has her Master of Education (LIHI) and is a postgraduate research student with the Latrobe University SOLAR Lab and is an Honorary Affiliate member of the Institute of Special Education (InSpEd). Charlotte has presented at numerous conferences and works with schools to change systems and practices to ensure all students are reaching their full potential.

S02E15 - Professor Jonathan Sharples on Implementation in Schools

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Jonathan Sharples from the Education Endowment Foundation. He has led the recent update to the EEF’s A School’s Guide to Implementation and in this conversation we unpack the paper. Professor Sharples details the updates and why they were made. He also digs into each of the key elements. As Jonathan highlights, how something is done is as important as what is done and throughout this episode, he provides a number of practical strategies that schools can follow. 
Resources mentioned:
Education Endowment Foundation: A School’s Guide to Implementation - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/implementation
Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/teaching-assistants
Darren Moore
Martin Weswell
Research Core Network
Active Implementation Hub
National Implementation Research Network
Robin Mildon
Centre for Evidence and Implementation
You can connect with Jonathan:
Twitter: @Sharples_J
Website: educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E14 - Professor Bethany Rittle-Johnson on conceptual and procedural knowledge in mathematics

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Bethany Rittle-Johnson, a professor of psychology at Vanderbilt University. Bethany has led a lot of the research around conceptual and procedural knowledge. In this chat, she delves into this topic and also discuss other high impact strategies such as worked examples, self-explanations and the power of comparisons in supporting student learning.
 
Resources mentioned:
Megan Frankly
The Ericsson Institute
DREME Network: dreme.stanford.edu
What Works Clearinghouse offers overviews of the research for K-12 education.
You can connect with Bethany:
Twitter: @BethanyRittle
Linkedin
Email: bethany.rittle-johnson@vanderbilt.edu
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
 
WEBSITE BLURB
 
About 
My broad interests concern how people learn and how to improve their learning.  My research focuses on learning of key concepts and problem-solving procedures within mathematics, with an emphasis on experiences that promote learning.  I conduct this research in both laboratory and classroom contexts to better understand learning processes and contribute to improvements in math education.

S02E13 - Professor Pamela Snow on why it takes a village to change reading instruction

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Pamela Snow. She has been at the coalface fighting for evidence-based reading instruction to be common practice for a number of years and throughout this conversation, she provides nuggets of gold in describing how when we talk about phonics we need to be using it as an adjective with a noun following it. Pamela unpacks why this debate about reading has been going on for so long and why changing teacher practice can be so challenging. She also delves into what parents need to know and what questions they could be asking.
Resources mentioned:
Grattan Institute - The Reading Guarantee
Nancy Young’s Reading and Writing Ladder
Science of Reading Podcast S2-05: The Right to Read Project on nurturing automatic readers: Margaret Goldberg and Alanna Mednick
Troy Verey
Dr Danielle Colenbrander
Dr. Pam Kastner
Emily Hanford - Sold a Story
Professor Lorraine Hammond
 
You can connect with Pam:
Twitter: @PamelaSnow2
Linkedin
Website: https://pamelasnow.blogspot.com/
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E12 - Jamie Clark on Simplifying Research and PD with One-Pagers

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jamie Clark, an English teacher and lead practitioner specialising in pedagogy and digital learning. They discuss his recently released book, One Pagers and unpack how it could be used. Jamie breaks down a number of the techniques mentioned in the book and describes his thinking process in putting it all together. He also provides some super useful tips on how teachers can design their own.
Resources mentioned:
Oliver Caviglioli
Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus
Apple
Oliver Caviglioli and David Goodwin - Organising Ideas
John Catt Education
Ron Berger
S02E10 - Bron Ryrie Jones on Responsive Teaching and Instructional Playbooks
Doug Lemov - Teach Like a Champion
Steplab
You can connect with Jamie:
Twitter: @XpatEducator
Instagram: @xpateducator
Linkedin: @jamieleeclark85
Website: www.jamieleeclark.com/
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast