ZPC - Zone of Potential Construction

By Dr. Chris Brownell

What's ZPC - Zone of Potential Construction about?

The ZPC podcast is focused on learning and teaching of mathematics & science. The guests are teachers & researchers from around the globe. We have informal conversations about deep concepts and ideas.

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ZPC - Zone of Potential Construction episodes:

07.26.2018
Episode 94 | The Best of ZPC - Fleegles as an Object Lesson in Re-Presentation
We're reaching back into the archives this week to bring back a fun one. WHAT IS A FLEEGLE? Jason and Scott will try and tell you!Jason Chamberlain and Scott Nielsen are a pair of Research Associates at the AIMS Center,...
07.19.2018
Episode 93 | Moving Beyond Subitizing - Jason Chamberlain and David Pearce
This week, Dr. Tiffany Friesen, one of our Senior Researchers, chats with Research Associates Jason Chamberlain and David Pearce about their recent presentation at the Early Math Symposium. They discuss the idea of subitizing and the important role it plays in students' construction of addition concepts.
07.12.2018
Episode 92 | Taking Mathematical Play Into The Classroom - AIMS Early Math Team
Chris Brownell is still enjoying his Summer so Paul Reimer is guest hosting for us again this week. This week we wrap up a quick 3-part series with our Early Math Team as they reflect on an opportunity they had to...
07.05.2018
Episode 91 | The Power of Mathematical Play - Aileen Rizo and Liz Gamino
Chris Brownell is continuing to enjoy his well deserved vacation and stepping out from the shadows to host today is our producer, Chris Bennett.We continue our conversation about presentations that were given at the recent Early Math Symposium with Aileen...
06.28.2018
Episode 90 | What's So Special About Spatial? - Jaclyn Russell and Wilma Hashimoto
With Chris gone for the next few weeks at conferences, we're doing our best to fill his chair. This week, Paul Reimer, one of our Senior Researchers, sits down with Jaclyn Russell and Wilma Hashimoto to discuss their presentation at the...
06.21.2018
Episode 89 | Joe Schuster - Polya’s Problem Solving Strategies at Work in the Classroom
In May 2018 FPU will graduate the first group of Master’s degree students, who have been scholarshipped by AIMS in the present manner. During the Summer of 2018 we will be hearing from some of them on ZPC. Chris is joined...
06.14.2018
Episode 88 | Cassie Sisemore - Comparing Traditional and Constructivist Oriented Pedagogies
In May 2018 FPU will graduate the first group of Master’s degree students, who have been scholarshipped by AIMS in the present manner. During the Summer of 2018 we will be hearing from some of them on ZPC. Cassie Siesemore...
06.07.2018
Episode 87 | Laurie Duerksen - “I have a New Hero!”
In May 2018 FPU will graduate the first group of Master’s degree students, who have been scholarshipped by AIMS in the present manner. During the Summer of 2018 we will be hearing from some of them on ZPC. Chris is...
05.31.2018
Episode 86 | David Pearce - Counting on your Fingers is a Good Thing.
In May 2018 FPU will graduate the first group of Master’s degree students, who have been scholarshipped by AIMS in the present manner. During the Summer of 2018 we will be hearing from some of them on ZPC. David Pearce joins...
05.24.2018
Episode 85 | Sandra Young - Exploding Dots and Student Understanding of Place Value
In May 2018 FPU will graduate the first group of Master’s degree students, who have been scholarshipped by AIMS in the present manner. During the Summer of 2018 we will be hearing from some of them on ZPC. Chris interviews...
05.10.2018
Episode 84 | "In Their Voice" - Summer Series 2018 Introduction
Chris is alone in the studio this week and provides an introduction to this summer’s series which we are calling “In Their Voice.” This is a brief, impassioned, description of what and why this series will exist and what he...
05.03.2018
Episode 83 | Jaclyn Russell - Professional Development, the NGSS, and Kindergarten
In May 2018 FPU will graduate the first group of Master’s degree students, who have been scholarshipped by AIMS in the present manner. During the Summer of 2018 we will be hearing from some of them on ZPC. Jaclyn Russell joins...
04.26.2018
Episode 82 | Professional Learning at AIMS with Debbie Porcarelli
Chris is joined in studio by AIMS Director of Professional Learning, Debbie Porcarelli. They discuss the evolving culture surrounding teachers’ professional lives, she casts a vision for planning with districts and individual schools that are completed, this is in response...
04.19.2018
Episode 81 | Bev Ford Catapulting Into the Classroom
Bev Ford, a Research Associate here at AIMS, spent the Fall of 2017 as a classroom teacher again after spending several years in deep study of the research around how students form the concept of number. She relates how her...
04.12.2018
Episode 80 | Great Adventures With Grace Florez: Researcher Ventures into the Classroom
Grace Florez took the Fall of 2018 and taught in a Kindergarten classroom. She had spent the previous year and half focusing her mental efforts on learning the theoretical framework outlined by the researchers she and her fellow associates have...
04.05.2018
Episode 79 | Karen Wootton and What Could a Math Intervention Course Look Like?
Chris is joined via Google Hangout by Karen Wootton an author and director for CPM Education (formerly College Preparatory Mathematics). They discuss a project CPM has in the design phase right now. Students who have struggled with Algebra 1 or...
03.29.2018
Episode 78 | Constructivism in a Cube with Dr. Steve Pauls
After providing the gathered AIMS Scholars with an opportunity to ponder their own thinking and use their spatial reasoning skills in a Colloquium Talk on Monday the 26th of March, 2018, Steve Pauls sits down with Chris to discuss some...
03.22.2018
Episode 77 | Mathematics Teaching, With an Emphasis in the Unexpected: Mario Ordaz
This week Chris is joined in the studio with a former student Mario Ordaz. Mario is not shy about describing himself as, “The big, brown, scary-looking, bald man, you might be nervous to meet.” Chris and Mario met originally when...
03.15.2018
Episode 76 | Dr. Matt Larson President of the NCTM: Part 2
In this second part of their conversation Matt and Chris talk about the implications of research in teaching, and dream a little together about what a mathematics curriculum could look like if they could reshape it from the ground up....
03.08.2018
Episode 75 | Dr. Matt Larson President of the NCTM: Part 1
Dr. Matthew Larson is the outgoing President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics joins Chris via Google Hangout to discuss a new book that the Council will be releasing in April at the National Exhibition. In this first...
03.01.2018
Episode 74 | Fleegles as an Object Lesson in Re-Presentation
Jason Chamberlain and Scott Nielsen are a pair of Research Associates at the AIMS Center, they work together in our K-1 team studying how children of this age form their understanding of number concepts. These two gave a Colloquium talk...
02.22.2018
Episode 73 | The Teaching of Mathematics Incorporating Narrative with Dr. Scott Baldridge, part 3
This is the third and final segment with Dr. Scott Baldridge in which we closeout the discussion of the use of a narrative structure and how teachers who are aware of this can make use of it in their classroom.
02.15.2018
Episode 72 | The Teaching of Mathematics Incorporating Narrative with Dr. Scott Baldridge, part 2
This is a second episode of a three-part series where Chris interviews Dr. Scott Baldridge, primary author of the Eureka Math book series. They explore specific examples of narrative elements that were incorporated. Themes, Characters, and Plot devices are the...
02.08.2018
Episode 71 | The Teaching of Mathematics Incorporating Narrative with Dr. Scott Baldridge, part 1
This is the first of a three part series with Dr. Scott Baldridge of the Louisiana State Univiersity. Scott is a mathematician whose work in Gauge Theory means his work is at the “Bleeding Edge” of human understanding of the...
02.01.2018
Episode 70 | The Effectiveness of Equity Practices in the Mathematics Classroom
The teaching of mathematics, like all teaching, is a cultural activity. There is no escaping this as mathematics is constructed by and for humans who live within cultures. Majority cultures have placed a stamp upon the teaching practice of mathematics...
01.25.2018
Episode 69 | Mathematics as a Fundamentally Constructed Activity of Humans
Chris is joined in the studio by Dr. Steffe, one of the foundational researchers to describe the various stages in the human development and construction of the number concept. After speaking to the AIMS research teams and the gathered Scholars...
01.18.2018
Episode 68 | “Children are like candles, Teachers the sparks,” A conversation with Jukka Sinnemaki
This week’s episode provides us with an opportunity to hear from a teacher in Finland on what a strong emphasis in the whole child can accomplish in the classroom. Jukka Sinnemaki is a top 50 finalist in the Global Teacher...
01.11.2018
Episode 67 | Rachael Risley: “Multiplication Isn’t Just Repeated Addition”
Starting with an inquisitive mind regarding how children think about and develop their mathematical concepts; Rachael Risley has spent the last several years focused on how teachers can help students to migrate into multiplicative thinking. She is a student of...
01.04.2018
Episode 66 | The Best of ZPC - Robots, Legos, and Learning: Oh Yes
Join us as we look back on one of the best episodes from 2017 with Aileen Rizo. Description from February 23, 2017 Joining me in the studio is AIMS Center Research Associate, Aileen Rizo. she is a mentor/coach to student teams in...
12.21.2017
Episode 65 | Reflections From the Host Regarding 2017
This is a short episode where Chris reflects on the way things have gone on the podcast this calendar year, and especially this Fall. With a few recommendations for second listens and lessons learned, this episode makes some important thank...
12.14.2017
Episode 64 | MoMath: Playing the Symphony that is Mathematics with Cindy Lawrence
Recently Chris Brownell visited the National Museum of Mathematics and had the opportunity to meet its Director, Cindy Lawrence. They discuss the mission of the museum and how it is carried out in the exhibits they share with the world....
12.07.2017
Episode 63 | The Connectedness of Mathematics with Rachel Horsman
In England at Cambridge there is a project underway that seeks to map and model the connected nature of school mathematics. Working on this project is a small but highly motivated team of researchers, teachers, mathematicians, and web-designers. Rachel Horsman...
11.30.2017
Episode 62 | The Role of Play in Early Math Learning
As a follow up to their excellent and fun Colloquium talk on November 27, 2017; Elizabeth Gamino, Wilma Hashimoto, and Aileen Rizo join Chris in the studio to talk about the role play has in early learning and by extension...
11.16.2017
Episode 61 | Eric Crantz - Partnership Liaison
Chris is joined in the studio by Eric Crantz who is the Partnership Liason at AIMS as well as a Math Coach for the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. They discuss his role as a coach, the teachers he supports,...
11.09.2017
Episode 60 | From Who Does the Math to Who Owns the Math
Scott Nielsen joined the AIMS research division in June 2017 and joins Chris in the studio this week. They talk about what his work is like, how he got to the place in his career that he finds himself now....
11.02.2017
Episode 59 | Math Coach? What’s that?
Chris is joined via Skype by three highly successful and well supported “Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA).” They chat about how these three women entered into this role, and what their days/lives are like. The passion for good teaching, and...
10.26.2017
Episode 58 | Skip Counting Bad, Multiplicative Thinking Good
Chris is joined in the studio by two of the AIMS Research Associates and they discuss how children develop the ability to coordinate units. The title of the podcast today is meant to be provocative, not judgmental. We examine some...
10.12.2017
Episode 57 | The Stories of AIMS - Brook Lewis
Welcome to ZPC Podcast, from time to time I will be interviewing members of the research team here at AIMS. There are many reasons to do this, chief among them is the idea of letting you, our faithful listeners, in...
10.05.2017
Episode 56 | Dr. Hilary Kreisberg, A woman with a mission
Joining via Skype, Dr. Hilary Kreisberg describes her passion for helping parents in the US come to grips with the changes in mathematics instruction. She is very passionate about helping people to grapple with how things look different, but that...
09.28.2017
Episode 55 | Dr. Richard Thiessen on Constructivism’s Beginnings
Dr. Thiessen joins Chris in the studio they talk more about the Biological underpinnings of the theory. Both Jean Piaget, and Humberto Maturana come at the ideas within Constructivism after earning doctoral degrees in biology. We talk about some connections...
09.21.2017
Episode 54 | The Stories of AIMS - Elin Anderson
Research Associate Elin Anderson joins Chris in the studio today. They discuss her transition from working with the teams aimed at 5 to 6 year olds to the teams aimed at 7 to 9 year olds. This change has been...
09.14.2017
Episode 53 | Student Adaptive Pedagogy from the Source
Dr. Ron Tzur and his doctoral student Nicola Hodkowski join us in the studio for a discussion of their work related to Student Adaptive Pedagogy in the Upper Elementary Grades. This is a very promising field of enquiry that shows...
09.07.2017
Episode 52 | Why do we teach Math, with Sunil Singh
Sunil Singh, the Mathematical Jester himself, joins us again via Skype this week. Yes he has a book that is just out (that everyone should read) and has been busy recording webinars and traveling about as a Lead Ambassador to...
08.31.2017
Episode 51 | Our Genesis as Mathematically Inclined Thinkers
Chris is joined in the studio by James Tanton, and the conversation immediately gets turned upside down. James takes over from the start and asks Chris about how it was that he knew he wanted to study math. After his,...
08.24.2017
Episode 50 | The Stories of AIMS - Paul Reimer
Senior Researcher for the Early Math Team, Paul Reimer tells a story of how things went during this past year as he and his team worked in HeadStart classrooms with children. He talks of how they came to understand Children’s...
08.17.2017
Episode 49 | Four Critical Areas for Teaching Wrap Nicely Into Constructivism
Dr. Beyranevand joins in from his home in Massachusetts via Skype this week. We discuss the four areas he sees as being critical for effective teaching: Planning, Pedagogay, Assessment, and Relationships. These areas, as he claims and supports, are practical...
08.10.2017
Episode 48 | Reflections on Summer 2017
Chris Brownell flies solo this week, as he declares an end to Summer 2017. He reflects upon three events that he was involved in and what they have meant to him. The need for humility, and openness when it comes...
08.03.2017
Episode 47 | The Stories of AIMS - Jason Chamberlain
Jason Chamberlain is a Research Associate who was working with the Early Math Team this past Spring. He talks with me about how he saw children progress through the earliest formal stages of counting and describes a game that this...
07.27.2017
Episode 46 | The Stories of AIMS - Elizabeth McDaniel
Elizabeth McDaniel, Elizabeth is a very exciting person to end this series with this year. She is a self-described “AIMS Kid.” She takes this title because, as she tells us, her auntie Carmella was (and is) an AIMS Facilitator while...
07.20.2017
Episode 45 | The Stories of AIMS - Rachel Eure
Rachel Eure is one of AIMS newest of Facilitator recruits. She has been with us now for one full year. She tells us of how she came to AIMS early in her career as a teacher. Her enthusiasm for both...

What's ZPC - Zone of Potential Construction about?

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ZPC - Zone of Potential Construction episodes:

Episode 94 | The Best of ZPC - Fleegles as an Object Lesson in Re-Presentation

Episode 93 | Moving Beyond Subitizing - Jason Chamberlain and David Pearce

Episode 92 | Taking Mathematical Play Into The Classroom - AIMS Early Math Team

Episode 91 | The Power of Mathematical Play - Aileen Rizo and Liz Gamino

Episode 90 | What's So Special About Spatial? - Jaclyn Russell and Wilma Hashimoto

Episode 89 | Joe Schuster - Polya’s Problem Solving Strategies at Work in the Classroom

Episode 88 | Cassie Sisemore - Comparing Traditional and Constructivist Oriented Pedagogies

Episode 87 | Laurie Duerksen - “I have a New Hero!”

Episode 86 | David Pearce - Counting on your Fingers is a Good Thing.

Episode 85 | Sandra Young - Exploding Dots and Student Understanding of Place Value

Episode 84 | "In Their Voice" - Summer Series 2018 Introduction

Episode 83 | Jaclyn Russell - Professional Development, the NGSS, and Kindergarten

Episode 82 | Professional Learning at AIMS with Debbie Porcarelli

Episode 81 | Bev Ford Catapulting Into the Classroom

Episode 80 | Great Adventures With Grace Florez: Researcher Ventures into the Classroom

Episode 79 | Karen Wootton and What Could a Math Intervention Course Look Like?

Episode 78 | Constructivism in a Cube with Dr. Steve Pauls

Episode 77 | Mathematics Teaching, With an Emphasis in the Unexpected: Mario Ordaz

Episode 76 | Dr. Matt Larson President of the NCTM: Part 2

Episode 75 | Dr. Matt Larson President of the NCTM: Part 1

Episode 74 | Fleegles as an Object Lesson in Re-Presentation

Episode 73 | The Teaching of Mathematics Incorporating Narrative with Dr. Scott Baldridge, part 3

Episode 72 | The Teaching of Mathematics Incorporating Narrative with Dr. Scott Baldridge, part 2

Episode 71 | The Teaching of Mathematics Incorporating Narrative with Dr. Scott Baldridge, part 1

Episode 70 | The Effectiveness of Equity Practices in the Mathematics Classroom

Episode 69 | Mathematics as a Fundamentally Constructed Activity of Humans

Episode 68 | “Children are like candles, Teachers the sparks,” A conversation with Jukka Sinnemaki

Episode 67 | Rachael Risley: “Multiplication Isn’t Just Repeated Addition”

Episode 66 | The Best of ZPC - Robots, Legos, and Learning: Oh Yes

Episode 65 | Reflections From the Host Regarding 2017

Episode 64 | MoMath: Playing the Symphony that is Mathematics with Cindy Lawrence

Episode 63 | The Connectedness of Mathematics with Rachel Horsman

Episode 62 | The Role of Play in Early Math Learning

Episode 61 | Eric Crantz - Partnership Liaison

Episode 60 | From Who Does the Math to Who Owns the Math

Episode 59 | Math Coach? What’s that?

Episode 58 | Skip Counting Bad, Multiplicative Thinking Good

Episode 57 | The Stories of AIMS - Brook Lewis

Episode 56 | Dr. Hilary Kreisberg, A woman with a mission

Episode 55 | Dr. Richard Thiessen on Constructivism’s Beginnings

Episode 54 | The Stories of AIMS - Elin Anderson

Episode 53 | Student Adaptive Pedagogy from the Source

Episode 52 | Why do we teach Math, with Sunil Singh

Episode 51 | Our Genesis as Mathematically Inclined Thinkers

Episode 50 | The Stories of AIMS - Paul Reimer

Episode 49 | Four Critical Areas for Teaching Wrap Nicely Into Constructivism

Episode 48 | Reflections on Summer 2017

Episode 47 | The Stories of AIMS - Jason Chamberlain

Episode 46 | The Stories of AIMS - Elizabeth McDaniel

Episode 45 | The Stories of AIMS - Rachel Eure