DebateMath Podcast

Text us your thoughts!

We throw around many phrases in education. And specifically in math education, we might hear people say some students are “doing real math.”  Or we hear educators looking for “authentic math experiences.”  On the other hand, we criticize “rote procedures” or “worksheet math.” But underneath all of that is a loaded question: When does math count… and when is it just pretending? Is math about the memorized algorithm? Is it plugging numbers into a formula? Is it word problems that simulate reality? In this month’s debate, we have two friends and colleagues who are stepping into the ring to debate what counts as “doing math” and what doesn’t. Listen in, as we explore the resolution: Is there such a thing as Fake Math?

• You can find Pam Harris on social media: @pwharris or @pamharris_math 
• You can find Kim Montague on social media: @kimmontague or @kmont14 
• Be sure to check out MathIsFigureOutAble.com
• And the MathIsFigureOutAble Podcast!

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited each of our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action!

• You can find Robert Kaplinsky on social media: @RobertKaplinsky and check out more of his work at OpenMiddle.com and GrassrootsWorkshops.com 
• Follow Courtney Flessner on Bluesky: @cfless or on Instagram: @MathandOtherThings
• And be sure to check out KeepIndianaLearning.org!

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

Math has often been seen as the universal language — a foundation of science, technology, and problem-solving. But it’s also often a source of struggle, frustration, and even fear for thousands of students. So what’s going on? Is there a problem with how we teach math? Or is this criticism missing the point — overlooking the structure, logic, and discipline that make math so powerful in the first place? Some say we’re losing rigor in the name of relevance; others say we’ve clung too tightly to outdated methods that no longer serve our students.In this episode, we want to explore what’s working, what’s not, and what a truly effective math education might look like in the 21st century, as we debate the resolution: Math Education in the US is Broken.

• You can find Robert Kaplinsky on social media: @RobertKaplinsky and check out more of his work at OpenMiddle.com and GrassrootsWorkshops.com 
• Follow Courtney Flessner on Bluesky: @cfless or on Instagram: @MathandOtherThings
• And be sure to check out KeepIndianaLearning.org!

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited each of our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action!

• You can find Ed Campos on LinkedIn & Instagram: @edcamposjr and check out his non-profit Campo Creativo (@CampoCreativo559)
• Follow Cal Armstrong on LinkedIn & BlueSky: @calarmstrong.bsky.social
• Check out Jed Williams on BlueSky: @jedediyah.com

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

Artificial intelligence has exploded onto the scene with promises of personalized learning, instant feedback, and round-the-clock tutoring. Some teachers say it’s transforming how students engage with mathematics. Others worry it’s turning problem-solving into copy-and-paste, eroding reasoning, and creating a generation of students who can “get answers” but can’t explain them. So today, we’re exploring whether AI is a powerful tool that enhances learning? Or just another hindrance for teachers and students? As we explore the question: Is AI helpful in math education?

• Jed mentioned the book Fairness and Machine Learning 
• Ed mentioned some resources, including:
  • Ed Tech & AI Guidance for Math Leaders - NCSM 
  • My Notebook LM on AI Guidance- Notebook LM 
• Common Sense Media resources for families, students, and teachers on understanding AI’s impact on Education and Kids 
• AIedu also has great ‘snapshot’ convos to weave into your classroom 
• A former NCTM President’s Message was mentioned as well 
• You can find Ed Campos on LinkedIn & Instagram: @edcamposjr and check out his non-profit Campo Creativo (@CampoCreativo559)
• Follow Cal Armstrong on LinkedIn & BlueSky: @calarmstrong.bsky.social
• Check out Jed Williams on online: jedediyah.com

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

As we’ve done in the past, we wanted to end the year by bringing together a few of our guests from past debates for a roundtable to reflect on the past debates and also engage in a discussion around a central question.

With all the stress put on teachers and all the content we have to teach (not to mention the greater political environment we are currently in), we want to hear from our past guests and discuss: How do we properly support math teachers?

• Learn more about Jodie Bailey on LinkedIn. 
• Find Vanessa Vakharia on social media @themathguru, check out her website: MathTherapy.com, or listen to her podcast: Math Therapy. 
• Follow Phonisha Hawkins on social media @HawksMathaMagic, on LinkedIn, and read her new blog: mathedefficacy.com
• Check out Dan Kaufmann through his website scmath.org, or [email protected]
• Find Brittany Hege on social media @mixandmath and check out her website: mixandmath.com 

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

What are your thoughts about teaching how to read analog clocks? In this month’s debate we’re diving into a question that might seem small at first, but actually gets at some big ideas about education, tradition, and the skills we think are essential for the next generation, especially in light of all the technology available. Since digital clocks can be found all over (including in our pockets), should students still learn how to read an analog clock? (That’s a clock with the minute and hour hands moving in a circle.) As educators, we know that time is precious. There’s a lot of content we need to teach. So we wanted to explore this idea in more detail with our latest debate resolution: Should We Teach Students to Read an Analog Clock?

• You can learn more about both of our guests and their work on the Mix and Math website.
• Follow Christy Harper on Instagram: @mathwithmsharper 
• Follow Brittany Hege on all social media: @mixandmath 

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

Imagine you had a magic wand and could add an extra 30–40 minutes to the school day. How would you use it? Would you dedicate that time to Reading or to Math—and why? That’s the debate we dove into, with two teams facing off in this live debate, answering the big question: Should schools spend more time on Reading or on Math?

*This is a recording of a LIVE debate from the Hamilton County ESC Explore Mathematics Conference*

• You read more about the work of Carolyn Turner and her colleagues at the ODE Literacy Website 
• Feel free to reach out to Chris Irick via email: [email protected]
• You can find Dr. Lori Cargile at the Hamilton County ESC
• Follow Dr. Crystal Watson on all social media: @_CrystalMWatson, or email her at [email protected] 

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

This is the seventh (and final) episode with our guests demonstrating various classroom debate routines. In this episode, we put everything together: using a discourse routine, modeling listening skills, and preparing both sides of a debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into a final example with us! 

• Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55
• Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchamp
• And check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.com

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Text us your thoughts!

This is the sixth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this episode, we see another example of the routine where students have to prepare both sides of an argument ahead of time: a Point-Counterpoint Debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!

• Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55
• Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchamp
• And check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.com

Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!

Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!