Teachers Talking Teaching: Recent Episodes
CatFish Education
John Catterson (@jfcatto) and Pete Whiting (@mr_van_w) are two Australian Flipped Educators. Together they talk education, pedagogy and current practice.
Find more of Pete and John: Website - www.catfisheducation.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrCattersonScience YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/PWhiting
In this episode of "Teachers Talking Teaching," hosts Pete Whiting (@mr_van_w) and Shawtima Rakovski (@shawtimasmiles) discuss the insightful article "Australian classrooms are among the 'least favourable' for discipline in the OECD. Here’s how to improve student behaviour" from The Conversation. Join them as they unpack the key points and share their perspectives on enhancing classroom discipline for better student outcomes.
URL: Link to the article on The Conversation
Show Notes:
- Introduction to the episode and hosts Pete Whiting and Shawtima Rakovski.
- Overview of the article highlighting the concerning statistics on discipline in Australian classrooms.
- Discussion on the factors contributing to the current state of student behavior and discipline in Australia.
- Analysis of the strategies proposed in the article for improving student behavior and fostering a positive classroom environment.
- Personal anecdotes and experiences shared by the hosts regarding classroom discipline challenges and successes.
- Insights into the role of teachers, parents, and the education system in creating a supportive and disciplined learning environment.
- Practical tips and recommendations for educators to implement effective behavior management techniques in their classrooms.
In this episode, we talk about local competitions and politicians who give teenagers NO QUARTER!
Also congrats to Queensland for not ruining the election for the rest of us, in fact well done for being oddly progressive.
Generally, we talk about Chile’s largest sensei and about the protective factors of a growth mindset for students from a lower socioeconomic background.
If you wish to reach out, find us at
https://twitter.com/Mr_van_W
or
https://www.chess.com/member/mr_van_w
or Shawtima
https://twitter.com/ShawtimaSmiles
So this episode was recorded a month ago (maybe more) as an answer to some Patreon questions and then our world all fell apart. Between sickness, pandemic and adventures in heart failure (all is good now I promise, just little cardiac-hiccups) we actually thought that this episode was gone. But here it is!
If you want to help us be more regular, at this point there are two places that we would love some support. First, there's a Patreon, this costs real dollars to put out and any help is appreciated. Go here for that: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation Secondly, the real barrier for us at the moment is editing. If you want to help us edit our podcasts and help get those episodes out, we would be eternally grateful. Obviously, we would like to pay for this but as we said before, the pod costs not earns but if you’d like to be part of the team and help out - by all means let us know.
We love you all and we’re glad to be back.
Books Mentioned on the Pod:
The Cultural Practice of Teaching
Sand Talk - Tyson Yunkaporta
Pedagogy of the Oppressed - Paulo Friere
Teaching to transgress : education as the practice of freedom - bell hooks
The Practical Practice of Teaching
Creating Cultures of Thinking - Ron Ritchhart
Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners - Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, Karin Morrison
Also, Red Dwarf sucks.
Look, did you want a quality podcast or did you want quality show notes? In this episode we talk about a more lady-like approach to decision making, apparently. We dive into the research of Dr Johnston et al out of WA regarding the Ethic of Care and this as a framework for our decisions and interactions both within and without the classroom.
That can be found here!
Shawti has finally drunk the kool aid on Teachers Pay Teachers - The Teachers Talking Teaching Kool Aid that is. Burn it to the ground, support teachers sharing.
In this episode Pete and Shawtima get pumped for the new teaching year and settle in for the new normal.
Shawtima mentioned using Tango as a tool for making instructables for team members and also violently threatens her team members. But then Shawtima dives deeply into some teacher wellbeing strategies. It’s not always the big moments and stunt work that counts.
If we can work on the simple unsexy stuff then maybe we can have a more sustainable worklife. Also, Pete says he’s fine, just fine… too many times for it to be believable.
On a positive note, Shawtima explains some excellent tools for people with Anxiety that Pete has 100% been using since then and it totally has helped.
I tell you what, Libraries are rad and they should be the hub of all schools. Pete had an article but he got distracted by library activists and history. So, enjoy that.
Tiny Wow.
Small individual applets instead of buying large software for processing files.
https://tinywow.com/
Z Library
https://z-lib.org/
Chess vs Pete
https://www.chess.com/member/mr_van_w
In this episode Pete and Shawtima get pumped for the new teaching year and settle in for the new normal.
Shawtima mentioned using Tango as a tool for making instructables for team members and also violently threatens her team members. But then Shawtima dives deeply into some teacher wellbeing strategies. It’s not always the big moments and stunt work that counts.
If we can work on the simple unsexy stuff then maybe we can have a more sustainable worklife. Also, Pete says he’s fine, just fine… too many times for it to be believable.
On a positive note, Shawtima explains some excellent tools for people with Anxiety that Pete has 100% been using since then and it totally has helped.
I tell you what, Libraries are rad and they should be the hub of all schools. Pete had an article but he got distracted by library activists and history. So, enjoy that.
Tiny Wow.
Small individual applets instead of buying large software for processing files.
https://tinywow.com/
Z Library
https://z-lib.org/
Chess vs Pete
https://www.chess.com/member/mr_van_w
… not that Pete recognises the UN in any way shape or form.
Shawtima talks differentiation this week. Look, differentiation is tricky in the classroom, but it’s worthwhile. There are many aspects of teaching that keep getting harder and harder, but you know what, sometimes that’s the deal.
In good news, Pete’s kids have started watching Bluey and it’s magic.
You can join us at https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation. Your support really does help us keep the show running.
Huge shout out to our first Teachers Aide and newest Patron, Amberly. You are truly a great human.
In this episode we talk about the impacts of exhaustion. The Culture Wars are alive and well. Schools are the battlegrounds once again. Education is a political act and again we see how the conservatives/trads are looking to push education History and Maths education into a back to basics approach. It makes Shawtima’s tummy hurt.
Pete learns about Temptation Bundling, this is something that he does all the time.
But our jobs are always political, schools are where the next generation’s culture is started. If it looks like a fascism, smells like a fascism, walks like a fascism, it’s probably a fascism. But this has outcomes that are purely skills based and academic - regardless of the impact on the culture at large.
Streaming/tracking also hinders students and their education. This isn’t surprising at all, but a large collection of data is reviewed.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/06/04/california-math-class-detrack-race-equity/
The greatest moment of televised sports in human history. How are you human if you keep it together watching this. FULL MATCH - Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair – Career Threatening Match: WrestleMania XXIV
But we end it all in a nice reflective phase where we give thanks for those that helped us become the teachers we are.
Also, if you know how Daylight Savings works, don’t at me, I just don’t care.
Here is the Cancelled podcast that led to our long ramble open https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cancelled/id1580836614
Shawtima talks (in the most round about way possible) Habits of Mind. Like, it legitimately started that way and ended up talking about LoLs in the classroom instead. Then we get all kinds of pedagogical and talk about Newman's Error Analysis. This became something fun for me to play with since recording.
Pete starts digging into the positive effects of ethnic studies in schools on the lives of students who fit into various ethnic groups as well as those of the dominant culture surrounding them. Obviously, this is something that we never talk about on this podcast so get ready for some totally new ideas. Turns out though, he could have just watched Remember the Titans.
When we talk a bit more about class times, we start talking about some gamified, Star Trekified space unit where the kids get choices.
Also, let’s not forget that Nicky Winmar is a national treasure.
In this episode we dive into some listener mail with questions about privilege and then we talk about the Tortoise and Hare thinkers. This involves the systemic bias in artificial examination environments and the harm it does to all of our students. Thanks Revisionist History!
In this episode, we talk about the readjustment of back to home learning for Australian/NSW teachers and the value of non-essential roles in schools. Also, how great is book week!
But Pete has a big focus on Inquiry-Based learning and the recent articles by the Conversation and several trad articles that have a real problem on student-centered learning. Apparently, the majority of teachers rely on inquiry-based programs. This however is clearly not the case. In fact, teachers use loads of different modalities because they’re professionals.
The Learning from Home resources via the AISNSW
https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/learning-from-home
The Look of a Compass Points done digitally via Padlet.
In this episode, we talk about the readjustment of back to home learning for Australian/NSW teachers and the value of non-essential roles in schools. Also, how great is book week!
But Pete has a big focus on Inquiry-Based learning and the recent articles by the Conversation and several trad articles that have a real problem on student-centered learning. Apparently, the majority of teachers rely on inquiry-based programs. This however is clearly not the case. In fact, teachers use loads of different modalities because they’re professionals.
The Learning from Home resources via the AISNSW
https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/learning-from-home
The Look of a Compass Points done digitally via Padlet.
This week we discuss metaphor as a privileged types of language, Pete mansplains Sonic the Hedgehog and Shawtima talks about the Gradual Release of Responsibility model.
Transfer of knowledge and utilisation of 21st Century Skills also become part of our discussion today. Transfer of knowledge from one area to another is a learnable skill.
But most importantly, let's remember our new motto "Yeah, what Pete said"!
@ShawtimaSmiles
@Mr_van_w
and support the episode via Patreon
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Darmok_(episode)
In this episode we cover a wide variety of topics including Learning Styles and VARK, a way to introduce welcome to country in an academically valued way and most importantly, science where rats drive cars for education. Hell yeah.
Stay Shiny Pony Boy,
In this episode we cover a wide variety of topics including Learning Styles and VARK, a way to introduce welcome to country in an academically valued way and most importantly, science where rats drive cars for education. Hell yeah.
Stay Shiny Pony Boy,
Hi TTT Fam,
Here we have an episode that almost never made it out of the gates thanks to some dodgy recording.
We got the sound good though!
Enjoy.
Hi TTT Fam,
Here we have an episode that almost never made it out of the gates thanks to some dodgy recording.
We got the sound good though!
Enjoy.
Hey in this episode Pete (@mr_van_w) and Shawtima (@shawtimasmiles) talk about:
Stuff. Not gonna lie, there’s some late night energy going on here and Pete ended up spending a considerable amount of time unwell this week (hence the late ep). But here we are.
Here is Stile for our Science teacher friends: https://stileapp.com/login no add here but check it out. It’s genuinely useful. Tell them Pete and Shawtima sent you, they won’t care.
We come back to some things that we’ve been talking about and trying, to let you know how they went.
Then there are some articles. Shawti talks about this article on the Conversation
https://theconversation.com/the-proposed-new-maths-curriculum-doesnt-dumb-down-content-it-actually-demands-more-of-students-162088
Go us. Anyway, I’m going back to bed til I feel better.
Also, join Pete on Pokemon GO! His trainer number is 1783 2412 6146. For real, do it. He plays and sends gifts daily.
Support the podcast on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation, it really really helps us keep this regular.
Stay Shiny Pony Boy!
Hey in this episode Pete (@mr_van_w) and Shawtima (@shawtimasmiles) talk about:
In this episode we share a win at school with an indigenous program at our nation’s peak STEM body, CSIRO.
We delve into Mastery Learning and Education Systems, particularly around the online platform setup by Sal Khan. We also look at the
In another win for the Aboriginal Australians we discuss the modern usage of Aboriginal pedagogy in the classroom at Higher Education levels and High School. Also, why it’s important to value our culture … but you know, that’s obvious.
We also look at some listener feedback and the icky feelings data can leave. We looked at the #Edureading article that lined up so well accidentally with podcast 132
Podcast: People I (Mostly) Admire
Steven Levitt
Episode 22. Sal Khan: “If It Works for 15 Cousins, It Could Work for a Billion People.”
The ‘doublethink’ of data: educational performativity and the field of schooling practices by Ian Hardy and Steven Lewis
Support us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Hey in this episode Pete (@mr_van_w) and Shawtima (@shawtimasmiles) talk about:
Thinking Routines (Headlines) and how they've adapted them to suit what they want to do in the classroom.
We talk ever so briefly about the authoritarian rise of the Flipped Teacher in an article from Times Higher Education.
We talk in more depth about the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning that is going on at Pete’s school - The Central West Leadership Academy. This is from the book Dive into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement (non-affiliate link - as if they’d pay us).
Then Shawtima gets real misogynistic, and focuses on the work of a dude while talking about a book written primarily by a female educator (Lynn D Sharratt) and other work by Michael Fullan. To be fair, Pete was mostly distracted by what he thought was Shawtima’s insane Trad ramblings of rankings but then it all came good.
Also, join Pete on Pokemon GO! His trainer number is 1783 2412 6146. For real, do it. He plays and sends gifts daily.
Support the podcast on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation, it really really helps us keep this regular.
Stay Shiny Pony Boy!
Pete (@mr_van_w) is back with the original Shiny Educator, Shawtima (@ShawtimaSmiles).
It's time to introduce some changes, to the podcast but also not really. Mostly, it's the same nonsense you already love.
Pete and Shawti are talking about all sorts of stuff in this episode. For example, Dungeons and Dragons in schools for students who are either neurodivergent or need social skills. We also cover Student Leadership, and getting kids good.
Also we <3 Joeldemort (@JoelBSperanza); Courtney (@ComfortDisturb) and Rich (@cambourne26)
#StayshinyPonyBoy #KissthehomiesGoodnight
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
Pete (@mr_van_w) shares how his school celebrated International Women's Day and discusses some of the considerations to running genuine activities and conversations.
John (@jfcatto) then looks at some Biesta's functions of education and the need for having a conversations about what we value in education.
Good education in an age of measurement: On the need to reconnect with the question of purpose in education - Gert Biesta
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41529875_Good_Education_in_an_Age_of_Measurement_On_the_Need_to_Reconnect_with_the_Question_of_Purpose_in_Education
Jared Cooney Horvath - What is the purpose of Education
https://youtu.be/3BEjnXS6DXg
Tea and Consent - Blue Seat Studios
https://youtu.be/pZwvrxVavnQ
How to Put on a Sock
https://youtu.be/06kT9yfj7QE
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) shares a resource and encourages non-indigenous people to get involved in Aboriginal education and teaching Aboriginal perspectives. John (@jfcatto) then has a whine about the effects of politics on professional development opportunities.
Educator Resource: 'But I am NOT ABORIGINAL I don't know how to do this stuff!' - Amy Thunig (@amythunig)
https://thebabyacademic.com/2018/09/07/but-i-am-not-aboriginal-i-dont-know-how-to-do-this-stuff/
Stop the political meddling: Who is really setting education policy in NSW - Marco Cimino (@MrMCimino)
https://educationhq.com/news/stop-the-political-meddling-who-is-really-setting-education-policy-in-nsw-88829
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
Hi TTT Family,
No John this week so I thought I'd reflect a little on life and my new schools for you.
Enjoy,
Pete
@mr_van_w
Hi TTT Family,
No John this week so I thought I'd reflect a little on life and my new schools for you.
Enjoy,
Pete
@mr_van_w
This week John (@jfcatto) checks in to see how "Learning Pods" worked out. Are they the silver bullet to combatting school shutdowns? (Spoilers: No).
Pete (@mr_van_w) read a couple of books. One he likes and one he doesn't like so much.
Articles: Learning Pods Show Their Cracks - Ronda Kaysen
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/style/learning-pods-pros-and-cons.html
Democracy in Education - John Dewey
https://allenbolar.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dewey-democracy.pdf
Running the Room - Tom Bennett (@tombennett71)
https://www.ollielovell.com/errr/tom-bennett-behaviour-management-running-the-room/
https://www.johncattbookshop.com/running-the-room-the-teacher-s-guide-to-behaviour
https://www.booktopia.com.au/running-the-room-tom-bennett/book/9781913622145.html
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
Welcome to 2021. We made it. More importantly Pete (@mr_van_w) made it.
In this episode Pete and John (@jfcatto) reflect on the year that was and hopes for the year that will be.
Pete shares his story and looks for silver linings in the lessons learned from this life changing experience.
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) return to some of their trusted wellsprings of pedagogy. John outlines some tips for putting together educational videos. Pete describes a cool twist on the use of solo hexagons in the classroom.
How to Create Engaging Instructional Videos - Jenny Gieras
https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-create-engaging-instructional-videos
Digital Learning Selector - NSW DofE
https://app.education.nsw.gov.au/digital-learning-selector/
Hexagonal Thinking: A Colorful Tool for Discussion - Betsy Potash
https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/hexagonal-thinking/
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
On a shaky return to Term 4 our hosts (@Mr_van_w & @jfcatto) compare their struggle with the Black Dog and what their are doing for self-care.
They then then discuss two recent books that address classroom management by approaching the profession from vastly different pedagogical viewpoints.
Restoring Teaching - Adam Voigt (@adam_voigt)
https://adamvoigt.com.au/books/restoring-teaching/
Running the Room - Tom Bennett (@tombennett71)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Running-Room-Teachers-Guide-Behaviour/dp/1913622142
3 things I've learnt from 'Running the Room' - Alice Leung (@aliceleung)
https://aliceleung.net/2020/10/09/3-things-ive-learnt-from-running-the-room/
Mental Health Resources
https://au.reachout.com/
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
https://www.openarms.gov.au/
https://soldieron.org.au/
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
The Agent of Chaos (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) talk about the podcast format, being unbelievably tired, CSU "Taking You Higher", online conferences, TED Talks, genius hour for teachers, how to define an activity as a hobby, differentiation strategies for the top end, attainment grouping discussion on TER before devolving into talking about gaming.
CSU - Free webinar with industry experts to inspire women to pursue careers in space
https://news.csu.edu.au/in-brief/free-webinar-with-industry-experts-to-inspire-women-to-pursue-careers-in-space
Teachers Need a Genius Hour, Too - John Spencer
http://www.spencerauthor.com/teachers-gh/
The Real Difference Between Google and Apple - Mark Wilson
https://www.fastcompany.com/3068474/the-real-difference-between-google-and-apple
High Potential and Gifted Education - Differentiation adjustment strategies - NSW DET
https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/high-potential-and-gifted-education/supporting-educators/implement/differentiation-adjustment-strategies#Table%20suggesting%20differentiation%20adjustment%20strategies
TER #155 - Attainment Grouping with Becky Taylor
https://terpodcast.wordpress.com/2020/09/01/ter-155-attainment-grouping-with-becky-taylor-01-sept-2020/
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
The Agent of Chaos (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) talk about the podcast format, being unbelievably tired, CSU "Taking You Higher", online conferences, TED Talks, genius hour for teachers, how to define an activity as a hobby, differentiation strategies for the top end, attainment grouping discussion on TER before devolving into talking about gaming.
CSU - Free webinar with industry experts to inspire women to pursue careers in space
https://news.csu.edu.au/in-brief/free-webinar-with-industry-experts-to-inspire-women-to-pursue-careers-in-space
Teachers Need a Genius Hour, Too - John Spencer
http://www.spencerauthor.com/teachers-gh/
The Real Difference Between Google and Apple - Mark Wilson
https://www.fastcompany.com/3068474/the-real-difference-between-google-and-apple
High Potential and Gifted Education - Differentiation adjustment strategies - NSW DET
https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/high-potential-and-gifted-education/supporting-educators/implement/differentiation-adjustment-strategies#Table%20suggesting%20differentiation%20adjustment%20strategies
TER #155 - Attainment Grouping with Becky Taylor
https://terpodcast.wordpress.com/2020/09/01/ter-155-attainment-grouping-with-becky-taylor-01-sept-2020/
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
Some unnamed bloke (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) talk time zones, Fijian time, roll marking, teaching Peers and Superiors, competing chains-of-command, holiday/pandemic learning loss, the Bloom's lie and removing grades shackles on education.
Is Learning "Lost" When Kids Are Out of School - Alfie Kohn
https://www.alfiekohn.org/article/loss/
I Hate the Pandemic, but I'm Grateful to Be Rid of Grades - Mariela Tyler
https://rethinkingschools.org/articles/i-hate-the-pandemic-but-im-grateful-to-be-rid-of-grades/
Doom on a Pregnancy Test - Foone
https://twitter.com/Foone/status/1302820468819288066?s=20
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) discuss some of the comments in the slow chat, clarify that Pete is not anti-data after last weeks tirade, assert that neither Pete nor John are not negative people, laugh at pictures of cycads, insult Primary School teachers. As far as articles go: John discusses some opinions on the current offering of education degrees, Pete supports that the rules around long term suspension of students is changing and finishes with the importance of teachers being their own researcher for their own classroom and evaluating the effectiveness of their own pedagogy.
This weeks slow chat is inspired by a tweet from Courtney (@ComfortDisturb https://twitter.com/ComfortDisturb/status/1300913335261487104)
What real world subject specific texts do you use in your classroom?
Some starting ideas for a Science classroom:
Science Journals for Kids - https://sciencejournalforkids.org/
Brulosophy exBEERiments - https://brulosophy.com/projects/exbeeriments/
Teaching Degrees No Longer Meet the Needs of Complex Classrooms - Jordan Baker
https://www.smh.com.au/national/teaching-degrees-no-longer-meet-the-needs-of-complex-classrooms-20200901-p55rf1.html
Maximum school suspension to be cut to 10 days under discipline plan - Jordan Baker
https://www.smh.com.au/education/maximum-school-suspension-to-be-cut-to-10-days-under-discipline-plan-20200826-p55pme.html
Teacher as Researcher - Marzano, Parsley, Gagnon and Norford
https://sites.google.com/view/educational-reading-group/article-19?authuser=0
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) comes in with a new hot take; apparently Twitter might not be the pollyanna, ever positive, safe space we all thought it to be.
Pete continues to claim that Education research and Cognitive Science may no be all it's cracked up to be and questions not only the Laws of Thermodynamics but perhaps the Five Fundamental Forces.
John (@jfcatto) manages to insult Pete whilst testing the limits of an audio medium by describing hand gestures that could be used in an classroom discussion, online or otherwise.
50+ Resources for LGBTQIA Allies - Courtney Seiter
https://buffer.com/resources/lgbtqia-resources/
Teacher as Researcher - Marzano et al
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AnSpcXu9MdDBgZQ1HIwpCFMoTzqUV1wu/view
Using Hand Signals for More Equitable Discussion - Edutopia
https://www.edutopia.org/video/using-hand-signals-more-equitable-discussions
Tea and Consent - Blue Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQbei5JGiT8
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
Once again Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) jaw off about teaching adjacent topics like seating plans and youngsters accessing pornography. John explores the UK trad-prog divide, questioning Michael Gove's effect on the situation. Pete highlights a study showing most teachers want to be mentored beyond the usual induction training.
'Drill and kill' for England's state schools while private sector goes progressive - Melissa Benn
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/18/drill-and-kill-for-englands-state-schools-while-private-sector-goes-progressive
Nest generation mentoring : Supporting teachers beyond induction - Bressman, Winter, Efron
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0742051X17316608
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
John (@jfcatto) and Pete (@mr_van_w) generally meander around a conversation touching on; some news, coaching, viva voce and high stakes assessment stress. John then talks about some ways that teachers can talk less in the classroom. Pete then enlightens us about the ridiculousness of so called "pod schools".
John: 8 ways teachers can talk less and get kids talking more - Angela Watson
https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/8-ways-teachers-can-talk-less-get-kids-talking/
Pete: Pods, Microschools and Tutors: Can Parents Solve the Education Crisis on Their Own? - Melinda Wenner Moyer
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/parenting/school-pods-coronavirus.html
Watch KORN: https://youtu.be/3zPvfVmL0nE
Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/
Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com
Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation
Buy some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore
This flexible reporting period; we check in with Pete (@mr_van_w) who has been diligently implementing the teaching strategies discussed from previous podcasts. We discuss the efficacy of vertical non-permanent surfaces as compared to horizontal non-permanent surfaces.
Pete expresses solidarity with the Police Force in their justifiably heavy handed dealing with Sovereign Citizens. He continues to scoff at the treatment of these terrorist kooks, and unilaterally supports Officers of the Law and those who are here to protect us.
Completely, devoid of the predjudice. John (@jfcatto) reminds citizens to comply to law enforcement whilst still confirming their status.
John (@jfcatto) continues to discuss retrieval practice and how it could be implemented in a learning environment.
Slow chat: If you could build a learner profile that was used for admission to further education. What would it include? How would it out-compete the ATAR.
Remember: In every police interaction with state or federal police; confirm "Am I being detained?"
CogSciSci: Retrieval Practice in the Classroom
https://cogscisci.wordpress.com/2020/01/23/retrieval-practice-in-the-classroom-a-cogscisci-symposium/
How not to screw up retrieval practice - Adam Boxer
https://achemicalorthodoxy.wordpress.com/2020/01/26/how-to-not-screw-up-retrieval-practice/
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) discusses ways to explicitly teach problem solving to create a thinking classroom. He introduces John (@jfcatto) to the idea of "keep thinking questions" rather than "stop thinking questions" and students work on "vertical non-permanent surfaces".
Building a Thinking Classroom in Maths - Peter Liljedahl
https://www.edutopia.org/article/building-thinking-classroom-math
John (@jfcatto) discusses some of the ways that self-driven learning can be used to build relationships and meet students at the level they are at. Pete (@mr_van_w) then talks compassion in education and why now might be the right time to change the way we think about inclusive education.
Self-Driven Learning Relies on Relationships - Derek Davidson
https://www.edutopia.org/article/self-driven-learning-relies-relationships
Pandemic a Golden Opportunity to Bring Compassion to Education - Dev Nath Pathak
https://www.thequint.com/news/education/pandemic-a-golden-opportunity-to-switch-to-compassionate-pedagogy-e-learning-coronavirus
Pedagogy of the Oppressed - Paulo Friere
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedagogy_of_the_Oppressed
https://www.booktopia.com.au/pedagogy-of-the-oppressed-paulo-freire/book/9780241301111.html
Teachers Talking Teaching on Red Bubble
https://www.redbubble.com/i/iphone-case/Teachers-Talking-Teaching-Logo-by-CatfishEd/49592763.PM7U2
In this episode of Teachers Occasionally Talking Teaching. Pete (@mr_van_w) tells John (@jfcatto) about Trauma Informed Teaching and how a school is using blended learning and self-paced mastery to cater for students with low attendance rates.
Pete: A Student-Centered Model of Blended Learning - Edutopia
https://youtu.be/zrR-KIoggf4
Redbubble:
https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/49592763
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto reflect on current events and discuss the duty and tactics for addressing issues of race within our classes.
They also answer the cross platforms listener mailbags and announce an exciting new line of merch.
Merch:
https://www.redbubble.com/i/mask/Teachers-Talking-Teaching-Logo-by-CatfishEd/49592763.9G0D8
Unfortunately, due to technical issues last weeks episode will ever be lost in the ether. Obviously our Patreon subscribers will be able to hear John's half of the episode. However, for the rest of us Pete and John discuss online learning and the motivation for the design of the current online learning experience. They also use this time to answer a few listener question.
Dylan Williams - Pose Pause Pounce Bounce
https://youtu.be/TMBsTw37eaE
Jess: Classroom hours slashed for teaching students to avoid educator shortage - Adam Carey https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/classroom-hours-slashed-for-teaching-students-to-avoid-teacher-drought-20200426-p54ncf.html
Please keep sending in your questions, comments and doubtful points to catfisheducation@gmail.com
Unfortunately, due to technical issues last weeks episode will ever be lost in the ether. Obviously our Patreon subscribers will be able to hear John's half of the episode. However, for the rest of us Pete and John discuss online learning and the motivation for the design of the current online learning experience. They also use this time to answer a few listener question.
Dylan Williams - Pose Pause Pounce Bounce
https://youtu.be/TMBsTw37eaE
Jess: Classroom hours slashed for teaching students to avoid educator shortage - Adam Carey https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/classroom-hours-slashed-for-teaching-students-to-avoid-teacher-drought-20200426-p54ncf.html
Please keep sending in your questions, comments and doubtful points to catfisheducation@gmail.com
Pete and John are back to start another term, different from one they have ever started before. Pete suggests some ways we can build relationships with students despite being physically separated. John explores some of John Hattie's thoughts on online learning.
Pete: Connecting with students in the online classroom - Reach Out
https://schools.au.reachout.com/articles/connecting-with-students-in-the-online-classroom
John: Visible Learning Effect Sizes When Schools Are Closed: What Matters and What Does Not - John Hattie
https://corwin-connect.com/2020/04/visible-learning-effect-sizes-when-schools-are-closed-what-matters-and-what-does-not/
As COVID-19 continues to spread uncontrolled around the world, Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) return to the bubble, soon to be their own private bubbles. They discuss the imminent cessation of face-to-face teaching and the move to an online learning environment.
Pete: Mr Corona/Covid-19 plea to Admin everywhere - Pete Whiting (@mr_van_w)
https://mrvanw.com/2020/03/15/my-corona-covid-19-plea-to-admin-everywhere/
John: Online Learning in the Time of a Pandemic: What it is, What It Isn't - Joel Speranza (@JoelBSperanza)
https://joelsperanza.com/uncategorized/online-learning-in-the-time-of-a-pandemic-what-it-is-what-it-isnt/
Awkward PSA chats with the Education Minister
https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/social-distancing-in-action
This week John (@jfcatto) returns to his lane and focuses on effecting change in the classroom through different directed questioning techniques. Then, Pete (@mr_van_w) considers the challenge of teachers' teaching out of their field of expertise.
John: No hands up: Rethinking questioning techniques - Daniel Beech (@MrDBeech)
https://edu.rsc.org/ideas/10-effective-questioning-techniques/4011025.article
Pete: “From Weakness to Strength: Turning the challenge of ‘out of field’ teaching into a team that thrives” by Yasodai Selvakumaran.
Other stuff:
Do We Really Need Baby Boomers? - CollegeHumo[u]r
https://youtu.be/S195dc3-8D8
"Too strong for you Karen"
https://youtu.be/EsaqmdQIq_0
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) laments the extra workload caused by menial tasks that have no benefit to the teacher or the students but are mandated within schools or systems. New contributor Shawtima (@ShawtimaSmiles) invites us to join her on her quest to improving her workflow and taking some of the power back. John (@jfcatto) comments on a report written by an idiot, who somehow managed to get a job as chair of a committee, that doesn't even garner support from the members of the committee.
Also - who knew John would know what Dementors are?
Pete: The Pedagogical Dementors - Sarah Barker
https://thestableoyster.wordpress.com/2019/12/05/the-pedagogical-dementors/
It Starts as an Annotated Seating Plan - Sarah Barker
https://thestableoyster.wordpress.com/2020/02/12/it-starts-as-an-annotated-seating-plan/
John: Report calls for school inspectors to monitor teachers - Jordan Baker
https://www.smh.com.au/national/report-calls-for-school-inspectors-to-monitor-teachers-20200218-p541z6.html
Taika Waititi - Give Nothing To Racism
https://youtu.be/g9n_UPyVR5s
Thanks so much Shawtima, you're a druid of the highest order, lady of all crocheted crustaceans, and the shiniest shiny there is!
Contact us:
catfisheducation@gmail.com
www.catfish.education
www.mrvanw.com
This week John (@jfcatto) wades through the Grattan Institute's mammoth report recommending the implementation of Instructional Specialists and Master Teachers.
Pete (@mr_van_w) highlights the idea of Assessment Literacy for teachers and to question what inferences and conclusions can be made from assessments.
John: Top teachers: sharing expertise to Improve teaching - Peter Goss and Julie Sonnemann
https://grattan.edu.au/report/top-teachers/
Pete: Needed: A Dose of Assessment Literacy - W James Popham
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar06/vol63/num06/Needed@-A-Dose-of-Assessment-Literacy.aspx
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) ponders an interview from one of our our stable mates ERRR that makes him question how progressive is too progressive. John (@jfcatto) then discusses something close to his heart; teacher accreditation at the higher levels of Highly Accomplished Teachers (HAT) and Lead Teachers (LT).
Pete: Education Research Reading Room #038: Peter Gray on the Freedom to Learn - Ollie Lovell
https://www.ollielovell.com/errr/petergray/
John: Incentivising Quality: It will take more than just carrots to keep teachers in the classroom - Melanie Ralph
https://lustreeducation.wordpress.com/2020/01/15/incentivising-quality-it-will-take-more-than-carrots-to-keep-teachers-in-classrooms/
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) ponders an interview from one of our our stable mates ERRR that makes him question how progressive is too progressive. John (@jfcatto) then discusses something close to his heart; teacher accreditation at the higher levels of Highly Accomplished Teachers (HAT) and Lead Teachers (LT).
Pete: Education Research Reading Room #038: Peter Gray on the Freedom to Learn - Ollie Lovell
https://www.ollielovell.com/errr/petergray/
John: Incentivising Quality: It will take more than just carrots to keep teachers in the classroom - Melanie Ralph
https://lustreeducation.wordpress.com/2020/01/15/incentivising-quality-it-will-take-more-than-carrots-to-keep-teachers-in-classrooms/
Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) return to the 2020 year with a rambling recap of their holidays. Pete identifies some of the obligatory media narratives that need to be trotted out at the start of another school year. John regales us with a parable illustrating the some of the nuances between Direct Instruction and Discovery Learning that are not taken into account by the quantitative studies
Articles:
Pete: I haven't even started teaching yet, but it's already cost me $700 - and I'm not alone - Ellen Wengert
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-24/starting-costs-graduate-teachers-in-the-classroom/11872676
What can parents do to help their child's teacher? A 'recovering' teacher's term one wishlist - Gabby Stroud
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-29/what-can-parents-do-to-help-their-childs-teacher/11902654
John: Discovery Learning Experiments - Georgios Zonnios
https://georgios.blog/discovery-learning-experiments/
In another episode of the occasional podcast Teachers Talking Teaching John (@jfcatto) contemplates the the way in which schools and society frame resilience to children, particularly the ones that need it most. Pete (@mr_van_w) then discusses the equity of the HSC and subsequent university admission system.
John: Rethinking 'resilience' and 'grit' - Alissa Quart
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/11/09/opinion/rethinking-resilience-grit/
Pete: In defence of the HSC - Blaise Joseph
https://www.cis.org.au/commentary/articles/in-defence-of-the-hsc/
The Sins of the Father - Pran Patel
https://theteacherist.com/2019/11/10/the-sins-of-the-father/
Another haphazard release finds Pete (@mr_van_w) just returned from ResCon in Brisbane where he was inspired by a presentation to go back to the work of John Dewey. John (@jfcatto) then is impressed by a innovative school but worried about how the motivations affect future implementation.
Pete: John Dewey on How to Find Your Calling, the Key to a Fulfilling Vocation, and Why Diverse Interests Are Essential for Excellence in Any Field - Maria Popova
https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/10/20/john-dewey-democracy-and-education-calling/
John: Kelvinside Academy open Nuvu Innovation School - Jody Harrison (@jodeharrisonHT)
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17961074.kelvinside-academy-opens-nuvu-innovation-school/
In a triumphant return-from-hiatus episode John (@jfcatto) and Pete (@mr_van_w) make history by bringing so such synergy to the table that they that they have read the same article.
Students don't like the brain-sweats because it hurts their head. Unfortunately, learning is hard.
Articles:
Pete: Study shows students in 'active learning' classrooms learn more than they think - Peter Reuell
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/09/study-shows-that-students-learn-more-when-taking-part-in-classrooms-that-employ-active-learning-strategies/
John: Study shows students in 'active learning' classrooms learn more than they think - Peter Reuell
https://phys.org/news/2019-09-students-classrooms.html
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) are back and a bit more upbeat. Pete did a viva voce and really dug it.
John discusses Personalised Learning and some peoples worries about privacy of third party companies from Silicon Valley.
Pete raises questions of the conduct of student evaluations of teaching, how much credence we put in student opinions and how those opinions can be implicitly biased.
Articles:
John: The Messy Reality of Personalized Learning - E. Tammy Kim
https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/the-messy-reality-of-personalized-learning
Pete: Students evaluation of teaching are not only unreliable, they are significantly biased against female instructors - Anne Boring, Kelly Ottoboni and Phillip B. Stark
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2016/02/04/student-evaluations-of-teaching-gender-bias/
On Shame and 'Daring Classrooms': We Need to Fix Systems, Not Kids - Christina Torres
https://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/intersection-culture-and-race-in-education/2019/08/on-shame-and-daring-classrooms-we-need-to-fix-systems-not-kids.html
This is just a quick little episode as a welcome to those new to the profession. It's the best job in the world but it's challenging.
Glad to have you on board.
Stay shiny Pony Boy!
Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) have finally made Episode 100. Crack out a bottle of champagne and lets' celebrate... actually scrap that this one is a super downer. Listener discretion is advised.
Pete, a proud Kamilaroi man, gets super angry and about a teacher gamifying their classroom using the framework of colonialism.
John then brightens the day with new study from the OECD that finds that Australian teachers are have higher workload and more administration.
Pete:
Gamifying settler colonialism - Benjamin Doxtdador (@doxtdadorb)
https://www.longviewoneducation.org/gamifying-settler-colonialism/
John:
Australian teachers have higher workloads, fewer resources: OECD report - EducationHQ News
https://au.educationhq.com/news/60602/australian-teachers-have-higher-workloads-fewer-resources-oecd-report/
The Herd ft. L-FRESH the LION - 77% (live for Like A Version)
https://youtu.be/StORD4EgvWY
This week/fortnight/month Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) barely manage to get an episode out with John on the editing decks. He's pretty rubbish.
John ruminates on a listener comment and laments the perceived goal of edupreneurs of aiming bigger and not wasting their life in the classroom.
Pete regales us with the link between teaching and magic and his admiration for Penn and Teller. Romance, precision and generalisation.
Then John finishes up with a teacher who has put together a African-american book list so that little black boys and girls can read abut themselves.
Articles:
John: Breaking Good: Ex-Chemistry teacher becomes a billionaire - Venus Feng
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/breaking-good-ex-chemistry-teacher-becomes-a-billionaire-20190613-p51x5t.html
Pete: Teaching: Just Like Performing Magic - Jessica Lahey
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/01/what-classrooms-can-learn-from-magic/425100/
John: Black Kids Like Reading About Themselves - Dwayne Reed (@TeachMrReed)
https://medium.com/@dwaynepreed_60537/kids-like-reading-about-themselves-c6b75c78ef2b
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) grapple with the intersection of ideology and economic sense when it comes to www.teacherpayteachers.com. Then John highlights the staggeringly large number of people that it takes to educate a child from K-12.
Pete: Teachers are making millions selling their lesson plans online - Carolyn Thompson
https://www.businessinsider.com/teachers-making-millions-online-lesson-plans-2017-4
John: The big picture: How many people influence a student's life - Kim Marshall
https://www.kappanonline.org/marshall-how-many-people-influence-student-life/
www.aeon.net.au
In this mini episode, Pete (@mr_van_w) continues his homework with Dave Burgess' Teach Like a Pirate.
We're on the third section RRRRR.
R is for Rapport.
Pete also wrote about this on his blog, you should check it out - he uses some sweet memes.
https://mrvanw.com/2019/06/11/rapport-with-a-reluctant-audience-a-teach-like-a-pirate-read-along/
or simply:
Https://mrvanw.com
Pete (@mr_van_w) asks when is it appropriate to start teaching students about sexuality and in particular non-cis/binary/fluid sexuality. He also brought a good news story about an inspiring Indigenous principal. John (@jfcatto) then highlight the divide between research and practice in education and that the way to being a good teacher is by striving to be a better teacher.
Pete: Can teachers be trusted to teach primary school pupils about LGBT relationships - Joe Baron
https://joethebaron21.blogspot.com/2019/05/can-teachers-be-trusted-to-teach.html
At school, Nicole's classmates didn't talk to her, now she's an inspiring principal - Helen Pitt
https://www.smh.com.au/national/at-school-nicole-s-classmates-didn-t-talk-to-her-now-she-s-an-inspiring-principal-20190523-p51qew.html
John: Teaching not a research-based profession - Dylan William
https://www.tes.com/news/dylan-wiliam-teaching-not-research-based-profession
AEON
http://www.aeon.net.au/
Vanilla Australian Observational Comedy:
Carl Barron https://youtu.be/wooAsMxJGy0
Third drawer from the Top - Jimoen https://youtu.be/Jqe4_MOHB3o
In another busy week Pete (@mr_van_w) record his own podcast in preparation for not getting together to record. Then due to a last minute Maths assessment task, he is off class and manages to track down John (@jfcatto) to talk about Singapore moving to get rid of marks and ranks.
Pete: 50 Years of Children Drawing Sciencetists - Youki Terada
https://www.edutopia.org/article/50-years-children-drawing-scientists
John: Why The Worlds Best School System Is Getting Rid of Grades -Bonnie Rivas Ras
https://www.goodnet.org/articles/worlds-best-school-system-getting-rid-grades
This week John (@jfcatto) crosses the schism and discusses when a traditional classroom setting may be a positive experience for students and attempts to delve into some of the considerations in implementation beyond the trad/prog dichotomy.
Pete (@mr_van_w) continues with his Dave Burgess read along. This week the I in PIRATE, Immersion.
John: Good schools help children behave - Tom Bennett @tombennett71
https://behaviourguru.blogspot.com/2019/05/good-schools-help-children-behave.html
Pete: Immersion: Undividing my attention - A Teach Like a Pirate readalong - Mr Van W
https://mrvanw.com/2019/05/13/immersion-undividing-my-attention-a-teach-like-a-pirate-read-along/
Pete started reading a book by Dave Burgess that you may have heard of - Teach Like a Pirate. This is his read-along making sure he does his homework. This edition of his read-along we're talking about passion, that's right, P for Passion and P for Pirate. Pete loves an acronym. Originally Pete thought this book wasn't serious enough. He was wrong, it's very cool and he's getting a lot from it straight away.
John found some questions to help us both become more reflective teachers. They're good. Then John made Pete feel bad, but Pete edits the podcast so he just cut it out and added more of him being a fool in.
Come talk to us on the internet at @mr_van_w and @Jfcatto.
Pete:
https://mrvanw.com/2019/05/06/finding-my-passion-again-a-teach-like-a-pirate-read-along/
John:
https://www.wabisabilearning.com/blog/reflective-questions-teachers
SPOILERS!
While running the mic for testing John (@jfcatto) had some hot takes on Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 3. So we kept it for you.
Enjoy this out take.
Pete and John return feeling not-so refreshed after the break, then open with some somewhat disputable Tips to Teachers.
Pete then looks at some of the ways we as teachers build a focus on self-improvement of our students, through allowing multiple test takes. Without falling into the trap of students outsmarting us and falsely inflating their marks.
John tries to find the middle ground when it comes to differentiation. Trying to find something that supports all learners in the class, without labelling students or burdening teachers with an unsustainable workload.
Pete: Allowing Test Retakes - Without Getting Gamed - Stephen Merrill @smerrill777
https://www.edutopia.org/article/allowing-test-retakes-without-getting-gamed
John: All aboard the magical mystery bus: keeping them on the bus - Jotter Pad: A Teacher's Notes
https://jotterpadteachersnotes.blogspot.com/2019/04/all-aboard-magical-mystery-tour-keeping.html
SPOILERS!
While running the mic for testing John (@jfcatto) had some hot takes on Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 3. So we kept it for you.
Enjoy this out take.
Pete concedes that Direct and Explicit pedagogy has a place in education. #anotherstinginyourbow #whynotboth
John looks at some of the factor to consider when getting students to take notes in class. #itsalittlemorecomplicated
Pete: In defence of inquiry based pedagogies - Robert Stevens
https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/scan/past-issues/vol-38,-2019/in-defence-of-inquiry-based-pedagogies
John: Factors of Effective Note Taking: Application of Cognitive Load Theory - Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel
http://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2018/9/13-1
Pete (mr_van_w) discusses Scientism, Scepticism with a K also with a K, tells us that sometimes proper Science doesn't matter in Education Research. Stuff your double blind RCTs are just evidence.
John (@jfcatto) then regales us with a Puff Listicle to make us feel better about our life choices. #Experienceisstillexperience.
Pete: The problem with using scientific evidence in education (why teachers should stop trying to be more like doctors) - Lucinda McKnight and Andy Morgan
https://www.aare.edu.au/blog/?p=3874
John: Should I Be A Teacher? Here Are 24 Awe-Inspiring Reasons To Consider It - Dave Saba
https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/blog/insights/should-i-be-a-teacher
Pete (mr_van_w) discusses Scientism, Scepticism with a K also with a K, tells us that sometimes proper Science doesn't matter in Education Research. Stuff your double blind RCTs are just evidence.
John (@jfcatto) then regales us with a Puff Listicle to make us feel better about our life choices. #Experienceisstillexperience.
Pete: The problem with using scientific evidence in education (why teachers should stop trying to be more like doctors) - Lucinda McKnight and Andy Morgan
https://www.aare.edu.au/blog/?p=3874
John: Should I Be A Teacher? Here Are 24 Awe-Inspiring Reasons To Consider It - Dave Saba
https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/blog/insights/should-i-be-a-teacher
Pete (mr_van_w) discusses Scientism, Scepticism with a K also with a K, tells us that sometimes proper Science doesn't matter in Education Research. Stuff your double blind RCTs are just evidence.
John (@jfcatto) then regales us with a Puff Listicle to make us feel better about our life choices. #Experienceisstillexperience.
Pete: The problem with using scientific evidence in education (why teachers should stop trying to be more like doctors) - Lucinda McKnight and Andy Morgan
https://www.aare.edu.au/blog/?p=3874
John: Should I Be A Teacher? Here Are 24 Awe-Inspiring Reasons To Consider It - Dave Saba
https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/blog/insights/should-i-be-a-teacher
Pete (@mr_van_w) tries to view NAPLAN from the perspective of parents. They went to a school so they are experts after all.
John (@jfcatto) discusses how important it is for teachers to display their values and love of learning through actions and what the prioritise rather than empty rhetoric a piles of busy work.
'Not without a fight': The radical plan to overhaul NAPLAN - Jordan Baker
https://www.smh.com.au/education/not-without-a-fight-parents-reject-plan-to-revamp-naplan-20190320-p515ve.html
Schools as Places of Joy: We Are Responsible For the Cultures That We Create - Mike Crowley (@crowley_mike)
https://crowleym.com/2018/11/18/schools-as-places-of-joy-we-are-responsible-for-the-cultures-that-we-create/
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) delves into why we should take no notice of the demonisation of technology in the media and the flawed/misreported Science that leads to it.
John (@jfcatto) considers the introverts in the class and how we should stop hassling them to fit our "participation" expectations and think of more flexible measures of "engagement".
References
Flipped 3.0 Problem Based Learning - Dan Jones (@ideasforteacher)
https://flippedtrainer.weebly.com/
The Kids (Who Use Tech) Seem to Be Alright - Lydia Denworth
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-kids-who-use-tech-seem-to-be-all-right/
The TeachThought Podcast - Jared Cooney Horvath
https://www.teachthought.com/podcast/the-teachthought-podcast-ep-159-the-science-of-deeper-learning-and-why-were-not-doing-more-of-it/
How to teach and young introvert - Kate Torgovnik May
https://ideas.ted.com/how-to-teach-a-young-introvert/
Susan Cain's TED Talk - The Power of Introverts
https://youtu.be/c0KYU2j0TM4
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
https://youtu.be/zNYPKkx1bhs
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) urges us to see our students as more than just data points and dollar signs. Then a straight white male (@jfcatto) talks at us about how to deal with teenage girls when they are being cray cray.
Articles
Pete: Are You Data-Driven? - Tonya Gilchrist
https://tonyagilchrist.com/are-you-data-driven/
John: How to Help Teenage Girls Reframe Anxiety and Strengthen Resilience - Deborah Farmer Kris
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/52994/how-to-help-teenage-girls-reframe-anxiety-and-strengthen-resilience
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) walk into a podcast with no preparation and manage to waffle on for 40ish minutes about a PD lecture that the school put on this week. After which a staff member was overheard saying "that was less of a waste of my life than I expected".
PD: The Learning Trajectory - Dr Jared Horvath
https://www.scienceoflearning.com.au/
Welcome to 2019. Hopefully things are different here. Pete has hard a "hard reset" and John is... present. Pete (@mr_van_w) is upset by how much language effects the way we relate to each other. John (@jfcatto) argues the perhaps pedantic difference between politics and civics.
Articles
Pete: Teachers should 'see the child, not the label' - expert - Brett Henebery
https://www.theeducatoronline.com/au/news/teachers-should-see-the-child-not-the-label--expert/259543
John: Education is Not Activism - Michael Salter @mikesalter74
https://pocketquintilian.wordpress.com/2019/01/12/education-is-not-activism/
In the last Podcast of the year Pete (@mr_van_w) covers fro John (@jfcatto) so he can record a chat with returning friend of the show Rich Watkins (@cambourne26) and new guest Myrri Fatai.
They discuss their roles as two of the school's three E-Learning Leaders. The ups, the downs and future of ELL support.
Once again, thank you to the school and these three amazing people for the difference they are making to students learning.
Merry Christmas. Enjoy you Pudd.
https://youtu.be/Z8mt9Ogzi_Y
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) are joined by returning guests Tom and Matt (@smedboule). They discuss the HSC, IB and UK models of schooling and when and where Living Skills should be taught to students.
The big question: Are we able to approach Living Skills from a position of privilege, where we can assume that students are to be taught these skills from their parents?
Articles:
I got a 99 ATAR but I got a lousy education - Alana Leabeater
https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-got-a-99-atar-but-i-had-a-lousy-education-20181123-p50hwo.html
Hey millennials, it's not your school's job to teach you life skills - Karen Hardy
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/hey-millennials-it-s-not-your-school-s-job-to-teach-you-life-skills-20181128-p50ivu.html
If you want to know more about what Tom is doing....
https://www.instagram.com/tree_kws/
https://theregionalengagemententerprise.com/
Pete (@mr_van_w) raises a few educational issues in the media at the moment. In particular the mapping of NAPLAN results in Sydney and kids being addicted to their phones. John (@jfcatto) then looks at some of the different teaching styles a teacher can use at different points to differentiate their classrooms.
Disclaimer: John makes a disparaging remark about a certain school in Sydney. 1. He was thinking of a different school in the area. 2.The school he was thinking of was excluded from the map.
Pete: Where you live is determining your school's NAPLAN score - Pallavi Singhal and Matt Wade
https://www.smh.com.au/education/where-you-live-is-determining-your-school-s-naplan-score-20181126-p50ibq.html
John: What is Your Teaching Style? 5 Effective Teaching Methods For Your Classroom - Eric Gill
https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/5-types-of-classroom-teaching-styles/
Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) discuss plans for the holidays and vale Stan Lee (but Marvel is better). Then John questions basic human rights for a while.
Finally, John continues to question the purpose of education and wonder why we as teachers are not able to agree on one.
Pete then considers the purpose of report cards and how they could be made to provide more relevant feedback for students growth.
Articles
John: The is no single purpose to education - and that is something to be cherished - The (il)logical teacher
https://clickbaitphilosophyofed.wordpress.com/2018/10/06/there-is-no-single-purpose-to-education-and-that-is-something-to-be-cherished/
Pete: 'Sterile and technical": the problem with primary school report cards - Jordan Baker
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sterile-and-technical-the-problem-with-primary-school-report-cards-20181116-p50gl5.html
Parents want clear, easy to understand report cards - Editorial
https://amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/parents-want-clear-easy-to-understand-school-reports-20181116-p50glb.html
Grade inflation on the rise: Everybody gets an A. - Maureen Downey
https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/grade-inflation-the-rise-everybody-gets/TXVCB3wbyR8fWDRMJXCxJO/
Pete (@mr_van_w) questions the importance of handwriting. Maybe the current generation doesn't have it all wrong and it just doesn't actually matter as much as we think it does.
On a side note: We were in a meeting today and a colleague talked up how students are much better off writing with a pen and when they can't spell something they look it up in the dictionary. 1. How many kid actually know when they make a spelling mistake. 2. How many kids care enough to then look the word up in a dictionary.
John (@jfcatto) continues from last weeks episode and looks at some the personal and social goods that come out of education other than salary from a job. Spoilers: He is still not convinced university is a good idea for everyone.
Pete: Handwriting saviour or teachers' nightmare? The return of the fountain pen - Alexandra L Smith
https://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2006/nov/13/handwritingsaviourorteacher1
The Global Elements of Effective Flipped Learning - FLGI (maybe? Jon Bergmann)
https://flglobal.org/elements/
John: Let's not focus on graduate income when assessing the worth of education - Peter Hurley
https://theconversation.com/lets-not-focus-on-graduate-incomes-when-assessing-the-worth-of-education-106168
Pete (@mr_van_w) opens with a shout out to the Mr Barton Maths Podcast http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/podcast/ and his interview of Andrew Blair (@inquirymaths). Which is a good example of a teachers from both sides of the Trad/Prog fence having a civil conversation. Something that we would like to see more of especially on twitter.
John (@jfcatto) discusses the lowering in worth of a Bachelors degree and whether we should continue to push students into degrees that they don't need and perhaps no longer count for much.
Pete: The rise of "education rage". Is this why Australia never seems to get ahead - Minds Wide Open
https://mindswideopen.com.au/posts/the-rise-of-education-rage-is-this-why-australian-education-never-seems-to-get-ahead
John: Julia Gillard's Dropouts - John Slater
https://www.spectator.com.au/2018/09/julia-gillards-dropouts/
Pete's not near John, and this makes him sad. So he sent John an audio message.
Dear John...
Pete's been reading the excellent @cultofpedagogy again. As it often does it pulled his head out of the oven. Nostalgia is the killer of art and it turns out it may be just as dangerous to education.
Pete (@mr_van_w) has some tips from some teachers he knows for Teachers.
Check out the Shiny teacher he works with on Instagram @stammertime, she's posting some rad stuff.
Flipgrid - not just for Flipped Learning (in fact probably mostly not for flipped learning).
Pete
This week we join Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) halfway a conversation about why Pete hates apathy and blames Gen X.
They then decide to put off talking about the the Q&A episode until another day, and then spend half an episode discussing it.
Pete then highlights the need for diversity in teachers. Both so minority students can have relatable role model and so other develop tolerance through interacting with a cross section of society.
Q & A: Eddie Woo, Pasi Sahlberg, Cindy Berwick, Gabbie Stroud and Jennifer Buckingham
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/qanda/series/0/video/NC1804H033S00
Pete: Does Teacher Diversity Matter in Student Learning? - Claire Clain Miller
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/10/upshot/teacher-diversity-effect-students-learning.html
Test your bias' with the Harvard Implicit Association test
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/Study?tid=-1
Make sure you support the podcast by subscribing to Liam Catterson's channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/LiamCatterson
So Pete and John had grand plans of getting together and putting out this pod in the start of the holidays and then doing a couple of pods during the holidays.
Look, we all know that didn't happen. I'm not sure what's on this one either - I like to take a gamble and see what's on there when it's published.
In other words, as John likes to say, I'm rubbish. I might update these show notes after I listen. But I doubt it.
Dear listener we love you, my rubbishness is less a reflection on how we feel about you and more a direct correlation with the intensity of life at the moment.
Thanks for sticking with us, and if you get the chance give it a rate and review on iTunes or wherever else you can.
Thanks,
Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto)
In a disjointed partially lost episode; John (@jfcatto) criticises the practice of behavior charts as they sound crazy. Then realises that he basically does the same thing. Pete (@mr_van_w) then questions whether students should be able to question the relevance of learning. The answer is "yes and teachers should have an answer".
John: Tear Down Your Behavior Chart! - Lee Ann Jung and Dominique Smith
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept18/vol76/num01/Tear-Down-Your-Behavior-Chart!.aspx
Pete: Five Ways to Help Student Find the Relevance in Your Lessons - Dan Jones
http://flr.flglobal.org/five-ways-to-help-students-find-the-relevance-in-your-lessons/
This week (a little late - soz about that) Pete (@mr_van_w) sits down with some very special guests to run through the many things that we learned at RESCon this year.
We sit down with @MrMCimino, Steven Kolber (@Steven_kolber) and @ShawtimaSmiles.
It was a great time and a good listen. Not so much on the audio quality - it's four friends sitting in a hotel room talking smack. Not in our usual podcast studio.
Pete
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) makes comment on an interview with Jane Caro by one of our AEON stable-mates.
John (@jfcatto) keeps us up to date on the developments in NSW Education and some recent comments made by the Honourable and Handsome Rob Stokes.
Pete: TER #118 Jane Caro on Education - Dan Haesler
https://terpodcast.wordpress.com/2018/09/02/ter-118-jane-caro-on-education-02-sept-2018/
John: New NSW teachers to require a credit average, 'superior' intelligence - Jordan Baker
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/new-nsw-teachers-to-require-a-credit-average-superior-intelligence-20180902-p501ao.html
New NSW curriculum on the way - Dominica Sanda
https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/new-nsw-school-curriculum-on-the-way/news-story/8701bc74124ca9385b7f962a1fd69820
In an almost-full-episode-but-really-a-part-deux Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) discuss the comments made by everybody's second-favourite astrophysicist Professor Brian Cox about the broken education system. Comments that are obviously ludicrous and he has no right to make in the first place, according to edutwitter.
John: Stressed teenagers should think about Mars, not exams, says star physicist Brian Cox - Sian Griffiths
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stressed-teenagers-should-think-about-mars-not-exams-says-star-physicist-brian-cox-c8vx58vdp
In a short episode in a busy week/term, Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) discuss the new depth studies that have been added to the Stage 6 syllabus in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Pete (@mr_van_w) wonders over the sheer volume of assessment tasks we expect HSC student to juggle. All the time taking day to day lesson seriously and maintaining a love of learning for the sake of learning.
John (@jfcatto) looks at two articles in the news this week. The ATAR and current format of HSC has outlived its usefulness and some believe is on it's way out. Fresh hope: Professor Geoff Masters may be the one to burn it all to the ground and build it better.
Pete: The Educational Grind - Pete Whiting
https://mrvanw.com/2018/08/22/the-educational-grind/
John: ATAR gone in 10 years and 'dire' HSC unfit for future: CEOs, Educator - Pallavi Singhal
https://www.smh.com.au/education/atar-gone-in-10-years-and-dire-hsc-unfit-for-future-ceos-educators-20180816-p4zxwq.html
Rebuilding the wall: what the major NSW curriculum review will at - Pallavi Singhal
https://www.smh.com.au/education/wall-nsw-curriculum-review-masters-stokes-20180817-p4zy2v.html
Pete (@mr_van_w) wonders over the sheer volume of assessment tasks we expect HSC student to juggle. All the time taking day to day lesson seriously and maintaining a love of learning for the sake of learning.
John (@jfcatto) looks at two articles in the news this week. The ATAR and current format of HSC has outlived its usefulness and some believe is on it's way out. Fresh hope: Professor Geoff Masters may be the one to burn it all to the ground and build it better.
Pete: The Educational Grind - Pete Whiting
https://mrvanw.com/2018/08/22/the-educational-grind/
John: ATAR gone in 10 years and 'dire' HSC unfit for future: CEOs, Educator - Pallavi Singhal
https://www.smh.com.au/education/atar-gone-in-10-years-and-dire-hsc-unfit-for-future-ceos-educators-20180816-p4zxwq.html
Rebuilding the wall: what the major NSW curriculum review will at - Pallavi Singhal
https://www.smh.com.au/education/wall-nsw-curriculum-review-masters-stokes-20180817-p4zy2v.html
This week John (@jfcatto) brings his sultry best to dispel this week's misrepresentation regarding ATAR entrance scores for teaching degrees. Something Birmo seems unable to do.
Pete (@mr_van_w) highlights the increase in students who parents identify them as "No religion" and hopes this may mean an end to scripture classes in public schools.
John: Students with low ATAR scores accepted for teaching degrees
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/08/12/15/04/alarming-atar-teaching-university-low-scores
Pete: Religion in Decline in Australian Schools - Pallavi Singhal
https://www.smh.com.au/education/religion-in-decline-in-australian-schools-20180806-p4zvtb.html
A return to form for Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto).
Pete highlights another one of his blog posts based on his experiences at CONASTA. He considers the seemingly misfitted keynotes for the audience and the value of "outsiders" on the education conversation.
John discusses ways to train students to effectively use technology for taking notes within the classroom.
Pete: Education to feed the economic machine - Mr Van W
https://mrvanw.com/2018/08/06/education-to-feed-the-industrial-machine/
John: Note Taking With Technology - Beth Holland
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/the-4ss-of-note-taking-beth-holland
In this barely-an-episode-filler John (@jfcatto) introduces the idea of conducting an Action Research to demonstrate standards of teaching. Something we may be hearing him bang on a bit more over the next year or so.
Pete (@mr_van_w) checks the TTT mailbox (teacherstalkingteaching@gmail.com) and answers some questions from Early Career Teacher Uten.
Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) mispronounce some words and take a guess at some acronyms that they probably should know but apparently don't.
Eventually John looks at a great article about education being more "teacher-centred". Insofar as that education should primarily support teachers to do their job and do their job well.
Pete then reflects on a blog post where he reflected on the keynotes from the recent ConASTA 67. He questions the purpose of teaching Science in School and who Science Educator should be looking up to as role models.
John: Schools should be more teacher centred - Tom Sherrington
https://teacherhead.com/2016/06/12/schools-should-be-more-teacher-centred/
Pete: Teachers - you da real MVP - Pete (@mr_van_w)
https://mrvanw.com/2018/07/23/teachers-you-da-real-mvp/
For anyone interested it is: Light Amplified by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory
A milestone episode: One tenth the number of The Beast \m/
John (@jfcatto) examines the alluring yet non-demonstrable concept f VARK Learning Styles. A beautiful and empowering theory that doesn't seem to hold water.
The boys spruik Mini Gear as a scaffolded STEM PBL project.
Pete (@mr_van_w) addresses some issues that have had him thinking recently. Including; talking to students about drug amidst changing legalities and modes of testing, teachers struggling to self-fund resources for their classroom, and when to schedule routine doctor appointments.
John: The Myth of 'Learning Styles' - Olga Khazan @olgakhazan
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/04/the-myth-of-learning-styles/557687/
Mini Gear
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNZMEiM-ZMYmEk2CG3mr1_Q
Pete: Talking about drugs
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/legal-experts-call-for-changes-to-nsw-roadside-drug-testing-advice/news-story/8c81656a6a287eb95380f1816838781f
https://www.donorschoose.org/project/hybrid-learning-tools-for-digital-native/3327814/ (@MrsLoeschen)
https://www.gofundme.com/new-teacher-supply-drive (@MsJachymiak)
Pete (@mr_van_w) asks "What subject specific skills does your subject have that are transferable to all disciplines?"
Pete looks for some balance in an article from Jo Facer (@jo_facer) (formerly?) of the Michaela Community School. Highlighting the benefits of Consistency for students and Sustainability for teachers.
John (@jfcatto) looks at a few of the things school leaders can do to support Early Career Teachers. Providing they are guided in sustaining the tireless job of teaching in the first place.
Tips to teachers: Here a twitter thread for Early Career Teachers to check out. "Be inspired but not pressured"
Pete: We Should Teach All Students, in Every Discipline, to Think Like Scientists - Peter Salovey
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/we-should-teach-all-students-in-every-discipline-to-think-like-scientists/
We Have Overcomplicated Teaching: Research Ed 2016 - Jo Facer
https://readingallthebooks.com/2016/09/17/we-have-overcomplicated-teaching-research-ed-2016/
John: Five things that work in early teacher' development - Cat Scutt
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/five-things-that-work-in-teachers-early-career-development/
Tips To Teachers: (@TeachMrReed)
https://twitter.com/TeachMrReed/status/1008771902578593793
In a effort to avoid writing report John (@jfcatto) relates some different teachers ideas on how to encourage students to learn from their mistakes in when returning exams. He also links this to an article on how to write a clutter free marking rubric.
Pete (@mr_van_w) drinks the Cult-of-Dweck kool-aid and tells the story of a school who use "report assemblies" to highlight areas for growth and setting tangible goals.
John: Your Rubrik is a Hot Mess; Here's How to Fix It- Jennifer Gonzalez (@cultofpedagogy)
http://www.brilliant-insane.com/2014/10/single-point-rubric.html
Pete: Metacognitive Reflection at Report Card Time - Julie Nariman (@julienariman)
https://www.edutopia.org/article/metacognitive-reflection-report-card-time
In the middle of a busy term John (@jfcatto) and Pete (@mr_van_w) manage to squeeze in a quick podcast with crappy sound quality.
Pete lauds Central West teacher Aaron Ellis for teaching Wiradjuri as the compulsory Year 7 and 8 language at Young High School.
John explains clear steps to "like a class". Perhaps highlighting some useful steps even if the sentiment could be considered flawed.
Pete: Wiradjuri Language Taught at Young High School - Aaron Ellis (not the actual article)
https://www.hilltopsphoenix.com.au/wiradjuri-language-taught-young-high-school/
John: How to Like a Class - StrictlyPositiveTeaching
https://strictlypositiveteaching.org/2018/04/05/how-to-like-a-class/
This week Pete (@mr_van_w) and John (@jfcatto) find some synergy in their holistic digital projections. Embracing the uber-efficient strategic programming of a blended asset matrix approach to "blue-sky" policy processing. It's king of our brand.
They also talk about the culture of teacher "wellbeing"; both within a personal and school-wide context.
Pete: Building a Positive Staff Culture Takes Work - Mary Davenport
https://www.edutopia.org/article/building-positive-staff-culture-takes-work
John: Why it's important to switch off from work - Rebecca Vukovic
https://www.teachermagazine.com.au/articles/why-its-important-to-switch-off-from-work
"Wellbeing" is a weasel word [sic] - @RobWard79
https://twitter.com/RobWard79/status/998072612235415552
Apologies for the sound quality this week. The work experience kid (John) was left in charge of monitoring the audio. The self absorbed millennial that he is only really listened to himself, who sounds great BTW - On reflection, I'm not sure that was even an apology.