The Evidence Based Education Podcast

A pupil can be sitting quietly in a classroom, completing set tasks and showing observable signs of engagement – they track the teacher, they nod, they respond to instructions. But engagement is not learning. Is every learner in the room thinking hard about ambitious curriculum content? Are they contributing meaningfully? Are their contributions valued? Do they feel a sense of belonging? 

These are some of the questions explored in our recent webinar on inclusion in education in conversation with Dr Haili Hughes, Associate Professor at La Trobe University. 

Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, school leader and writer, Haili challenges some common assumptions about inclusion. 

As she explains, inclusion is not simply placing learners with different needs in the same classroom, nor does it mean that every learner must complete the same task in exactly the same way. Instead, Haili talks about inclusion as deliberately creating the conditions in which every pupil can access ambitious and worthwhile learning tasks, participate meaningfully in the life of their class, school or college, experience a deep sense of belonging, and make progress. 

A calm classroom, Haili reminds us, is not necessarily an inclusive classroom. A learner may be physically present and compliant while learning very little. Also, Haili and Stuart discuss how equitable participation sometimes requires adjustments, scaffolding or additional support, all while retaining the ambition of the curriculum. 

We hope this conversation encourages teachers and leaders to look beyond poor proxies for learning, and become a little more curious about the inclusivity of teaching and learning experienced in their setting. 

Watch the full webinar below to hear Dr Haili and Professor Stuart Kime explore what meaningful inclusion can look like in everyday classroom practice. 

Also available as a podcast.

The Great Teaching Toolkit now includes an Inclusive Education course. The course provides teaching assistants, teachers and leaders with insights into inclusive teaching, and how their roles can work together to create a more inclusive educational experience for all learners.

Or listen here on Apple Podcasts.

The post What does inclusion in a classroom really look like? appeared first on Evidence Based Education.

In this episode of the Evidence Based Education podcast we are joined by Dr Lisa-Maria Müller from the Chartered College of Teaching for a wide-ranging conversation about professional learning in education.

Together, we explore how schools and systems are rethinking the design of professional learning — moving beyond compliance-driven models towards approaches that prioritise agency, autonomy and meaningful professional growth.

The purpose of professional learning beyond compliance

Balancing structure and flexibility in professional learning design

Teacher agency, autonomy and professional judgement

Leadership decisions about when to direct and when to step back

Different models of professional learning and their impact on practice

The episode sets the scene for a thoughtful examination of how professional learning can be both rigorous and empowering, and how leaders can create the conditions for teachers to engage in learning that genuinely improves practice.

It’s a reflective conversation for anyone interested in how professional learning is evolving, and what that means for teachers, leaders and the wider education system.

Or listen here on Apple Podcasts.

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In this final episode of the Elements of Great Teaching podcast series, Adam Kohlbeck and Stuart Kime look into Dimension 4: Activating hard thinking focusing on Element 5: Embedding from the Model for Great Teaching.

This episode is all about helping learning stick.

We explore:

So, how can we use embedding techniques to make learning last? And what does that look like from the learner’s perspective?

Listen below!

We’ve really enjoyed creating this podcast series for you and we hope you’ve enjoyed it too. More than that, we hope you’ve taken away not just practical ideas to try in your classroom, but also a deeper understanding of the research and theory that underpins great teaching.

Whether you listened to one episode or followed the full series, thank you for joining us on this journey through the Model for Great Teaching.

Or listen here on Apple Podcasts

The post The Elements of Great Teaching – Dimension 4, Element 5 appeared first on Evidence Based Education.

In this 16th episode of The Elements of Great Teaching podcast, Adam Kohlbeck and Stuart Kime explore Dimension 4: Activating hard thinking focusing on Element 4: Interacting from the Model for Great Teaching.

Today’s discussion hones in on responding appropriately to feedback from students about their thinking/knowledge/understanding; giving students actionable feedback to guide their learning.

Listen below!

Or listen here on Apple Music.

The post The Elements of Great Teaching – Dimension 4, Element 4 appeared first on Evidence Based Education.

In this 15th episode of The Elements of Great Teaching podcast,  Adam Kohlbeck and Stuart Kime dive into Dimension 4: Activating hard thinking focusing on Element 3: Questioning from the Model for Great Teaching.

If we want students to learn deeply, we need to get them thinking hard. But how do we do that in practice? In this episode, we explore evidence-based approaches to fostering deep cognitive engagement in the classroom.

Listen below!

Or listen here on Apple Music.

The post The Elements of Great Teaching – Dimension 4, Element 3 appeared first on Evidence Based Education.

In episode fourteen of The Elements of Great Teaching podcast, Adam Kohlbeck and Stuart Kime discuss Dimension 3: Maximising opportunity to learn with a focus on Element 3: Preventing and responding to disruption from the Model for Great Teaching.

Disruption can derail learning, but great teachers handle it before it even starts. Learn how great teachers create an environment where disruptions are minimised—allowing every student to make the most of their learning time.

Listen Below!

Or listen here on Apple Podcasts

The post The Elements of Great Teaching – Dimension 3, Element 3 appeared first on Evidence Based Education.

In Episode 11 of The Elements of Great Teaching podcast series, Adam Kohlbeck and Stuart Kime look  into the essential role of Dimension 1: Understanding the content with a focus on Element 2: Pedagogical content knowledge from the Model for Great Teaching.

This episode focuses on understanding the curriculum you’re teaching and how it’s learned – exploring the sequencing of content and its subject-specific requirements.

We highlight why this element of great teaching is vital and offer clear, evidence-backed steps you can take to enhance your approach.

Listen Below

Or listen here on Apple Podcasts.

The post The Elements of Great Teaching – Dimension 1, Element 2 appeared first on Evidence Based Education.

In episode thirteen of The Elements of Great Teaching podcast, Adam Kohlbeck and Stuart Kime and I explore Dimension 2: Creating a supportive environment with a focus on Element 2: Student-Student relationship  from the Model for Great Teaching—an essential component of creating a supportive learning environment. This episode focuses on the relationships between students and how their interactions impact learning.

A supportive environment isn’t just about teacher-student relationships—it’s also about the connections students build with each other. This episode will help you create a classroom where students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.

Listen Below

Or listen here on Apple Podcasts.

The post The Elements of Great Teaching – Dimension 2, Element 2 appeared first on Evidence Based Education.

In episode twelfth of The Elements of Great Teaching podcast, Adam Kohlbeck and Stuart Kime explore Dimension 4: Activating hard thinking focusing on Element 6: Activating from the Model for Great Teaching.  This episode focuses on empowering students to become independent learners by enhancing their ability to plan, regulate, and monitor their own learning processes.

It is packed with practical strategies and thought-provoking insights into promoting student autonomy. Whether you’re looking to refine your teaching approach or spark meaningful classroom changes, this discussion will offer valuable takeaways.

Listen Below

Or listen here on Apple Podcasts.

The post The Elements of Great Teaching – Dimension 4, Element 6 appeared first on Evidence Based Education.

In Episode 11 of The Elements of Great Teaching podcast series, Adam Kohlbeck and I look  into the essential role of Dimension 1: Understanding the content with a focus on Element 2: Pedagogical content knowledge from the Model for Great Teaching.

This episode focuses on understanding the curriculum you’re teaching and how it’s learned – exploring the sequencing of content and its subject-specific requirements.

We highlight why this element of great teaching is vital and offer clear, evidence-backed steps you can take to enhance your approach.

Listen Below