Knowledge for Teachers

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

S02E11 - Emina McLean on the challenges of research translation in literacy

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emina McLean. Emina works with systems, schools, leaders, and teachers to develop ambitious and rigorous assessment, curriculum and instruction practices in English and literacy. In this chat, Emina discusses her focus on implementing effective systems and practices for teaching reading and writing. She highlights the importance of aligning curriculum, assessment, and instruction, and the need for a well-sequenced and comprehensive curriculum. Emina also unpacks the challenges of implementing evidence-based practice in schools, including the overwhelming number of competing priorities. 
Resources mentioned:
A Single Shard - Linda Sue Park
Ochre Education
EEF - Implementation Guide
 
You can connect with Emina:
Twitter: @EminaMcLean
Linkedin
Email: emina.mclean@gmail.com 
 
 
Website: www.eminamclean.com/
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E10 - Bron Ryrie Jones on Responsive Teaching and Instructional Playbooks

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, an instructional coach who supports teachers and instructional leaders to develop their expertise. She discusses the importance of responsive teaching and shares techniques to effectively check for understanding in the classroom. She emphasises the need for teachers to have a deep understanding of the principles behind responsive teaching before implementing specific techniques. 
 
Bron also explains the concept of instructional playbooks and how they can be useful for schools. She unpacks the potential dangers and how to avoid these pitfalls. 
 
Resources mentioned:
Jim Knight, Ann Hoffman and Michelle Harris - Instructional Playbook
West Beechborough PS
Brad Nguyen
Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus
Dylan Wiliam and Siobhan Leahy - Embedding Formative Assessment
Harry Fletcher-Wood - Responsive Teaching
Atul Gawande - The Checklist Manifesto
You can connect with Bronwyn:
Twitter: @BronRyrieJones
Linkedin: @bronwyn-ryrie-jones/
Website: bronwynryriejones.com
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E09 - Trisha Jha on teacher experiences in implementing the science of learning

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Trisha Jha who currently works with the Centre for Independent Studies and recently released a couple of reports titled: What is the Science of Learning? And Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences. Trisha unpacks these papers and discusses her journey into education research and the importance of focusing on what happens in the classroom. Throughout the conversation Trisha defines what the science of learning is and the difficulty in making cognitive science common knowledge. 
 
The conversation also explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding explicit instruction and how teachers engage with the science of learning. We also delve into what schools and systems can do to support effective implementation. 
 
Resources mentioned:
What is the Science of Learning? https://www.cis.org.au/publication/what-is-the-science-of-learning/
Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences https://www.cis.org.au/publication/implementing-the-science-of-learning-teacher-experiences/
Greg Ashman
Jennifer Buckingham
Five from Five
Why Jaydon Can’t Read: A Forum on Fixing Literacy
Kevin Knight
Education Endowment Foundation
24 – Jessica Del Rio on solving illiteracy in Australia
Daniel Willingham: Why don’t students like school
Hollingsworth and Ybarra: Explicit Direct Instruction
Daisy Christodoulou: 7 Myths about Education
E.D. Hirsch: Why knowledge matters
David Diddau and Nick Rose: What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Psychology
Zac Groshell: Progressively Incorrect
Anna Stokke: Chalk and Talk
Ollie Lovell: ERRR Podcast
You can connect with:
Twitter: @themetresgained
Linkedin: Trisha Jha
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Trisha Jha
Trisha Jha is a Research Fellow in the Education program, working on projects relating to the science of learning, improvement of initial teacher education and overall school quality.
Prior to rejoining CIS, Trisha had roles as a secondary teacher, including through the Teach for Australia program, in state and independent schools in regional Victoria. She has also worked as a senior policy adviser to opposition leaders in Victoria. She holds a Masters of Teaching with a specialisation in Research from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the Australian National University.
 

S02E08 - Dr. Mark Dowley on Managing Behaviour and Maximising Learning

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Mark Dowley (Associate Head – Staff Development at the Crowther Centre for Applied Educational Research) who has recently released the book, “The Classroom Management Handbook” that he co-authored with Ollie Lovell. In this chat, they unpack the book and how it’s what Mark and Ollie wish they had when they started teaching. They also discuss ten important principles for classroom management, including the idea that behavior is a curriculum and the importance of mastering one's own behavior to influence others. The conversation also explores the use of scripts and tools to support effective behavior management.
Resources mentioned:
https://classroommanagementhandbook.com/
Bill Rogers - Know the fair rules
Mastery Schools Australia
Marsden Road PS
Tom Bennett
Michael Fullan - Six Secrets of Change
  
You can connect with Mark:
Twitter: @coachdowley
Linkedin
Website: classroommanagementhandbook.com
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E07 - Rebecca Birch On Improving Australian Education

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Rebecca Birch, a teacher of English and the Director of Research and Practice at a top 50 independent school in Sydney, Australia. She shares her journey from a career in fashion and advertising to becoming an English teacher. Rebecca emphasises the importance of evidence-based practice and the need for teachers to be sceptical and critical of educational trends. She also highlights the challenges of implementing explicit instruction and the need for standardised teacher preparation programs. Rebecca calls for a clear hierarchy of importance within teacher standards and the role of teacher preparation in reinforcing those standards. The conversation also touches on strategies for schools to drive improvement without waiting for systemic changes.
Resources mentioned:
Reimagining Teacher Professionalism. Why standards must be part of ITE reform
Knowledge Society - Elena Douglas
Trisha Jha
What is the Science of Learning? https://www.cis.org.au/publication/what-is-the-science-of-learning/
Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences https://www.cis.org.au/publication/implementing-the-science-of-learning-teacher-experiences/
Strong Beginnings: Report of the Teacher Education Expert Panel
Andrew Martin
Kate Jones
ResearchEd
Alex Quigley: https://www.theconfidentteacher.com/
Anita Archer
Hollingsworth and Ybarra - Explicit Direct Instruction
You can connect with Rebecca:
Twitter: @msrebeccabirch
Linkedin: @rebeccabirch
Website: https://rebeccabirch.au/
Substack: https://rebeccabirch.substack.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
 
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Rebecca Birch
Rebecca Birch is a teacher of English and the Director of Research and Practice at a top 50 independent school in Sydney, Australia. She worked as a learning support officer in diverse settings while she undertook her teacher training after a successful career in advertising and fashion.
Rebecca has provided consultation and content services for Ochre Education and Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn, and has appeared on panels for ResearchED and the Gonski Institute for Education. Her current research interest is the link between explicit instruction and student wellbeing. She writes for publication and through her newsletter (rebeccabirch.substack.com/).

S02E06 - Tom Bennett On Running The Room

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Tom Bennett, the Director and founder of researchED and school behaviour advisor to the UK government. He shares his journey from running nightclubs to becoming an influential figure in the education sector and we find out how teaching saved him. Bennett delves into the challenges he faced as a teacher, how he got into writing about behaviour, and his eventual role as the UK's Department for Education School Behavior Advisor. He highlights the integral role of setting clear behavioural expectations and embedding routines in creating a conducive learning environment. Tom also discusses the creation and implementation of a behaviour curriculum and the origins of researchED. 
 
Resources mentioned:
Tom Bennett - Running the Room: The Teacher's Guide to Behaviour
Greg Ashman
Daisy Christodolou: Seven Myths about Education
Daniel T. Willingham: Why Don't Students Like School?
Bill Rogers
 
You can connect with Tom:
Twitter: @tombennett71
Website: https://tombennetttraining.co.uk/
Substack: https://bennettt.substack.com/
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

S02E05 - Sarah Powell On Effective Word Problem Instruction

In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks with Sarah Powell. Sarah is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She has pretty much dedicated her whole career to researching word problems in maths. She has also contributed to a couple of papers that have recently been released for the Centre for Independent Studies and we touch on those as well. 
 
However, the main focus is Word Problems and we go through everything from Attack Strategies, to the dangers of using keywords and delve into the world of schema instruction. If you care about helping your students improve their ability to solve word problems, then this episode is for you. 
Resources mentioned:
Lynn Fuchs
Sarah Powell , Elizabeth M. Hughes, Corey Peltier: Myths That Undermine Maths Teaching
Sarah Powell , Sarah King , Sarah Benz: Maths Practices You Can Count On: Five Research-Validated Practices in Mathematics
https://www.piratemathequationquest.com/
Powell, S. R., Namkung, J. M., & Lin, X. (2022). An investigation of using keywords to solve word problems. The Elementary School Journal, 122(3), 452-473.
Powell, S. R., & Fuchs, L. S. (2018). Effective word-problem instruction: Using schemas to facilitate mathematical reasoning. Teaching exceptional children, 51(1), 31-42.
Free word-problem intervention is here: https://www.piratemathequationquest.com/
Here's a free math intervention course Sarah developed: https://intensiveintervention.org/training/course-content/intensive-intervention-mathematics
And free teacher materials can be found here: https://mathspiral.com/
You can connect with Sarah:
Twitter: @sarahpowellphd
email: srpowell@utexas.edu
Website: http://www.sarahpowellphd.com/
 
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: 
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
 
About Associate Professor Sarah Powell
Sarah R. Powell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include developing and testing interventions for students with mathematics difficulties, with a special emphasis on peer tutoring, word-problem solving, mathematics writing, and the symbols and vocabulary within mathematics.
She was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2019.