Mr Barton Maths Podcast

Kris returns to the podcast for another epic. This time we cover Kris' concerns with minimal guided approaches to teaching, such a discovery and inquiry based learning. We also delve into what it actually means to understand something in maths, and whether we as teachers can ever truly assess that understanding. Finally, how do you decide if you should teach the How before the Why? For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/kris-boulton-part-2-minimal-guided-instruction-understanding-how-before-why/ 

My first interview with Andrew caused something of a stir (in a good way!), so I thought it would be useful to release an interview I did with Andrew back in 2014 for my TES Maths Podcast. Here Andrew describes a completely open-ended inquiry lesson, as well as sharing some excellent advice on being a Head of Department. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/andrew-blair-prequel-inquiries-and-being-a-head-of-department/ 

Andrew is a head of maths at the creator of inquirymaths.org. We spoke about planning and delivering inquires in mathematics, explicit  instruction, developing fluency, problem solving, and evaluated evidence related to memory, motivation and purpose. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/andrew-blair-inquiry-maths/ 

Rachel is an experienced primary maths teacher. We spoke about what primary maths lessons look like, what topics they have covered, their problem solving skills, their use of manipulatives, what students might be expecting maths lessons to look like at secondary school, and much more. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/primary-school-teacher-rachel-webster-how-your-year-7s-have-been-taught-maths/ 

Trevor is AQA’s Chief Examiner for the Maths GCSE. We spoke about when the GCSE maths writing process starts, who is involved, what makes a good question and what makes a bad question, what are the difficulties, how exams are marked, and much more. This is a great listen now we have finally made it through the first new specification GCSE cohort, and essential listening as we prepare for the next! For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/chief-examiner-trevor-senior-how-gcse-maths-exams-are-written/ 

Nick is a former science teacher who now works as a researcher for TeachFirst. He is also the co-author of the outstanding book What Every Teacher needs to know about Psychology. We spoke about inducing cognitive conflict, the dangers of differentiation, whether growth mindset is really a thing, and much more! For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/nick-rose-mindset-misconceptions-differentiation/ 

Ed returns to the show following the launch of his book Yes, but why? Teaching for Understanding in Maths. This time around we spoke about why maths puzzles are important, what makes a good puzzle, how maths lessons are taught in Japan, what we can learn from this approach, and how much student discussion should happen during examples. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/ed-southall-part-2-puzzles-and-lessons-from-japan/ 

Kris is, quite possibly, the cleverest person I know. Will Emney describes him as "cerebral". Kris is a former maths teacher who was second in department at King Solomon Academy, where he worked alongside fellow podcast guest Bruno Reddy, achieving incredible GCSE results in challenging circumstances. Kris now works for TeachFirst, where he is Associate Director of Participant Development. We spoke in depth about how Kris plan his lessons, focusing on sequences not individual lessons, the influence of Siegfried Englemann, successful interleaving and the role of differentiation. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/kris-boulton-part-1-planning-lessons-engelmann-and-differentiation/ 

Robert and Elizabeth Bjork are my heroes. The Godfather and Godmother of memory (my name for them, not theirs!), and they have transformed my teaching. It was an honour to talk to them. We spoke about how memory works, why forgetting is so important, why tests are far more than tools of assessment, when and why to make learning difficult, optimal spacing schedules, how to interleave successfully, and a whole lot more. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/robert-and-elizabeth-bjork-memory-forgetting-testing-desirable-difficulties/ 

Dani Quinn, the Head of Maths at Michaela Community School, returns! In the follow-up to the controversial first interview we spoke about the behaviour policy at Michaela, the practice of drilling, teaching for understanding and the staff culture. I wonder if I will get told to "go to hell" as a result of this one. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/dani-quinn-part-2-michaela-school-behaviour-drills-culture/ 

Daisy is one of the leading assessment figures in education in the UK. Her two books - Seven Myths about Education and Making good progress? - have transformed my teaching practice. We spoke about what makes a good assessment, the importance of planning examples, the power of multiple choice questions, the dangers of an over-reliance on past papers, comparative judgement and more! For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/daisy-christodoulou-assessment-multiple-choice-questions-7-myths-about-education/ 

Greg is a head of maths in Australia and a prolific and influential blogger at Filling the Pail. We spoke about the implications of Cognitive Load Theory for planning and teaching mathematics (although the lessons are applicable to all subjects), and why Greg prefers direct instruction as opposed to inquiry based approaches to learning. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/greg-ashman-cognitive-load-theory-and-direct-instruction-vs-inquiry-based-learning/ 

Paul is a maths teacher and a leading expert on bar modelling. We spoke about planning for understanding, bar modelling, advice on questioning, what Paul learned from his trips to Shanghai and Tokyo, advice for teacher training and much more. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/paul-rowlandson-bar-modelling-questioning-shanghai-tokyo-training-teachers/ 

Tom is the UK's leading figure on behaviour in schools, and the founder of ResearchEd. We spoke about in depth about managing behaviour in the classroom, including addressing some common myths. We also spoke about how best to tackle teacher workload, and what Tom considers to be the most important pieces of educational research. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/tom-bennett-behaviour-teacher-workload-and-researched/ 

John is an experienced maths teacher and the legend behind the ridiculously good Corbett Maths. We spoke about planning and delivering lessons using a flipped learning approach, the process that goes into creating maths videos, writing good maths questions, and advice for new teachers. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/john-corbett-flipped-learning-videos-and-corbett-maths/ 

Dylan Wiliam is my hero. I know this is a big claim, but I think this interview is an absolute must-listen for teachers of all subjects, possibly all humans full-stop. We spoke about feedback, planning, questioning, research, lesson observations, what Dylan wishes he had known when he started teaching, and so much more. I genuinely have listened back to this interview more than 5 times, and I pick up something new on each listen. Thank you Dylan! For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/dylan-wiliam-author-researcher-trainer-and-assessment-for-learning-expert/ 

Ed is a maths teacher, blogger, Twitterer, teacher trainer, and the author of Yes, but why? Teaching for Understanding in Maths. We spoke about good questioning, dodgy plenaries, creating a safe learning environment, and false conventional wisdom For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/ed-southall-solvemymaths-and-mathematics-pgce-tutor/ 

At the time of recording, Beth had just finished her first year as a maths teacher. We spoke about the pressures of being an NQT, maintaining a work-life balance, and Beth shares her top tips for surviving and thriving during a gruelling year. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/14-beth-lilley-nqt/ 

Jamie is an experienced maths teacher at the high achieving Tiffin School. He is also the creator of the outrageously good Dr Frost Maths website. We spoke about planning sequences of lessons, the importance of internalising concepts, and teaching high achievers. For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/13-jamie-frost-dr-frost-maths-and-teaching-high-achievers/ 

Mark is a legend in the world of maths education. He is a former head of maths, Ofsted Inspector, Headteacher, creator of emaths, creator of Complete Maths, and the organiser of the amazing La Salle Maths Conferences. We spoke about Ofsted lesson observations, teacher training, being Head of Department and why Mark has never marked a book in his life! For more information about today’s guest, plus links to the websites, resources and ideas they mention, please visit the show notes page: http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/12-mark-mccourt-ofsted-emaths-la-salle-education-ncetm-and-more/