I Can't Do Maths - Part 1

In this episode, we talk to Professor Alf Coles and Professor Nathalie Sinclair about their book, I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference. In the book, Alf and Nathalie identify, unpick and challenge some of the most commonly-held beliefs about maths teaching and learning. In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore the background to the book and the first two dogmas, or myths, about maths education that Alf and Nathalie explore in the book.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

Show notes

Taking part in the discussion:

Professor Alf Coles, University of Bristol

Professor Nathalie Sinclair, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia

Julia Thomson, Communications Manager, NCETM.

Episode chapters

00:05 - Introduction to part 1

01:02 - Meet Professors Alf Coles and Nathalie Sinclair

02:06 - Unpacking the concept of ‘dogmas’ in maths education

05:52 - Exploring the first dogma: maths is a building-block subject

11:51 - Challenging the second dogma: maths is always right or wrong

16:58 - Conclusion and preview of Part 2.

Useful links

I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference by Professor Alf Coles and Professor Nathalie Sinclair (Bloomsbury, 2022)  

NCETM Primary Mastery Professional Development Materials

NCETM Curriculum Prioritisation in Primary Maths

Journeys on the Gattegno Tens Chart by Alf Coles, 2014

Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.