BAGs to learn Podcast

This episode, we learn from Colin Foster

​​Colin is a Reader in Mathematics Education in the Mathematics Education Centre at Loughborough University.

Before being an academic, he taught mathematics in schools for 12 years.

His research interests focus on the learning and teaching of mathematics in ways that support students’ conceptual understanding.

He is particularly interested in the design and use of rich tasks in the mathematics classroom, and in finding ways to enable students to develop the necessary fluency in mathematical processes to support them in solving mathematical problems.

We dig into:

What is problem solving?

When are students mathematically mature enough to solve problems?

Why is teaching strategies important and which strategies might be helpful?

What is the importance of background knowledge in problem solving?

What is Colin working on to support this strand of maths education?

Thank you to my the growing hundreds who are tuning in each fortnight to listen to what my expert guests have to say.

I hope you enjoy it and any feedback would be most welcome.

If you like what you hear, you could leave a 5 star review on your chosen podcast platform, as well as sharing on social media This will increase the chances of as many different people hearing the words of wisdom from my guests, it would be much appreciated!

Here we go… we’ve got BAGs to learn from Colin Foster...

Hello everyone thanks for joining me, Ben Gordon, on the BAGs to Learn podcast.

I am at the time of recording a maths teacher and an Assistant Headteacher at a school in Blackpool.

This season on the podcast we are having “Curriculum Conversations” where I interview specialists and leaders about the things that make our schools tick.

In the short episodes there are BAGs to learn on a single narrow focus to make it easy to assign colleagues to the episodes that may help them develop the most.

This episode, we learn from Jemma Sherwood.

Jemma is Senior Lead Practitioner for maths at Ormiston Academies Trust. Before that she was Head of Maths for 5 years and AST for 8. She wrote the book, “How to enhance your maths subject knowledge: number and algebra for secondary teachers” and has contributed to textbooks and revision workbooks.

In this episode we explore threads in the maths curriculum, look at consistency vs autonomy and how we can support our teaching teams to implement our intended curriculum. We also touch on cultural capital, cross-curricular links and CPD. Jemma then offers reflections for listeners to think about with regards to their department.

I hope you enjoy it and any feedback would be most welcome.

If you like what you hear, you could leave a 5 star review on your chosen podcast platform, as well as sharing on social media This will increase the chances of as many different people hearing the words of wisdom from my guests, it would be much appreciated!

Here we go… we’ve got BAGs to learn from Jemma Sherwood...

This episode, I had BAGs to learn from Naveen Rizvi.

Naveen Rizvi is the National Lead of Mathematics at Astrea Academy Trust. She is author of conceptionofthegood.co.uk talking all things education, Maths teaching and Engelmann’s Direct Instruction. Naveen has previously worked at some of the UK’s most transformative schools such as Michaela Community School and Great Yarmouth Charter Academy. After her time in the classroom, Naveen created the five-year curriculum resources for one the UK’s largest MATs - United Learning’s Curriculum writer.

In this episode we explore her “work-smart” and “systems-based” approaches to school improvement, with Naveen giving fascinating insights into how she supports the school she works with.

I hope you enjoy it and any feedback would be most welcome.

If you like what you hear, you could leave a 5 star review on your chosen podcast platform, as well as sharing on social media This will increase the chances of as many different people hearing the words of wisdom from my guests, it would be much appreciated!

Here we go… we’ve got BAGs to learn from Naveen Rizvi...

Hello everyone you’ve joined me Ben Gordon on the BAGs to Learn podcast.

I am, at the time of listening, a maths teacher and Assistant Headteacher at a school in Blackpool. 

This season on the podcast we are having “Curriculum Conversations” where I interview specialists and leaders about the things that make our schools tick.

In the short episodes there are BAGs to learn on  a single narrow focus to make it easy to assign colleagues to the episodes that may help them develop the most. 

This episode, I had BAGs to learn from Dani Quinn around reasoning in maths - something that teachers may find difficult to develop in their students and that leaders may find difficult to develop in their teams.

 Dani is the Network Lead for Secondary Maths at Ark, a network of 39 schools in England. She was the Head of Maths at Michaela Community School in Wembley, and Dixons Trinity Academy in Bradford, before joining Ark.

I have learnt loads from Dani in my time as a teacher, both from her blog, hearing her talk and she is always available on the phone if I ever want any advice.

I hope you enjoy it and any feedback would be most welcome.

If you rate the episode on your chosen podcast platform, as well as sharing on social media to try to get as many different people hearing the words of wisdom from my guests, it would be much appreciated!

Here we go… we’ve got BAGs to learn from Dani Quinn...