Show Notes
In this solo episode, Anna Stokke explores five common misconceptions in math education that may sound convincing but aren’t supported by high-quality evidence. Based on a chapter she wrote for an essay collection by the American Enterprise Institute and researchED, Anna explains how these ideas can hinder student learning and create lasting gaps in mathematical understanding.
She examines misconceptions such as teaching multiple strategies to new learners, relying on technology instead of facts and procedures, and the belief that conceptual understanding must always come before procedural skill. Throughout the episode, Anna shares what the research actually says and highlights evidence-based approaches that better support student success in mathematics.
This episode is available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke
The article version of this episode, written by Anna Stokke, ….
TIMESTAMPS [00:00:00] Introduction [00:01:21] Preview of what to expect in episode [00:02:16] Myth #1: New learners should learn multiple math strategies [00:05:41] What new learners should do instead [00:06:04] Myth #2: Technology makes facts and procedures unnecessary [00:09:31] Myth #3: Conceptual understanding must come before procedural skill [00:13:50] Myth #4: Problem solving is the best way to teach mathematics [00:15:09] Why Rosenshine’s instructional hierarchy is always relevant [00:16:29] Myth #5: Practice turns kids off math [00:18:41] What the evidence says about effective math instruction [00:20:06] Final thoughts: takeaways for teachers and parents
RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES Cognitive load theory and learning math with John Sweller https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-s2zyd-1a717d6
Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction with Tom Sherrington https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-hmh6w-1a3a5b0
Techniques for Building Fluency with Math Facts https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-3ny3k-17323a9
Cognitive load theory with Greg Ashman https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-thbad-13cea56
Evidence-based teaching strategies with Paul Kirschner https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-thbad-13cea56
EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-77-resources
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-77-transcript
MUSIC Intro & Outro: Funk Jazz Big Band - ColorFilmMusic
Website: www.annastokke.com FB: Chalk & Talk IG: @chalkandtalkpodcast Tiktok: @chalkandtalkpodcast X: @rastokke LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social
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In this episode, Anna is joined by returning guests Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva and Dr. Paul Kirschner, authors of the upcoming book Becoming an Expert Teacher: Deliberate Practice for Effective Teaching. They explore what makes an expert teacher and how teaching expertise can be deliberately developed. They discuss the importance of deep subject knowledge, mental models, deliberate practice, and reflection, while explaining the difference between the science and the craft of teaching. They also examine how teaching expertise can be measured and why striving to become an expert teacher is both a professional responsibility and an equity issue. This episode is available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke TIMESTAMPS [00:00:22] Introduction [00:03:26] What makes an expert teacher? [00:12:09] Why teacher content knowledge matters [00:13:24] Why content knowledge isn’t enough [00:16:00] Schemas & pattern recognition explained [00:18:04] How expert teachers think [00:22:55] Deliberate practice to develop teaching expertise [00:30:31] The challenge and importance of deliberate practice [00:38:31] The importance of reflection in teaching [00:40:51] The science and craft of teaching [00:47:57] A reflection on teacher education preparedness [00:55:21] Can teaching expertise be measured?[00:01:07] The responsibility to become an expert teacher [01:11:40] Final thoughts RESOURCES Becoming an Expert Teacher: Deliberate Practice for Effective Teaching https://www.routledge.com/Becoming-an-Expert-Teacher-Deliberate-Practice-for-Effective-Teaching/SachdevaKirschner/p/book/9781041107453 Code to get 20% off: 26AFLY2 EPISODE TRANSCRIPThttps://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-78-transcript RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES We know more about teaching than ever ¬– so why is change so slow? With Joanna Barbousas https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/we-know-more-about-teaching-than-ever––so-why-is-change-so-slow-with-joanna-barbousas-ep-69/ Rebuilding teacher training through cognitive science with Jonas Linderoth https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/rebuilding-teacher-training-through-cognitive-science-with-jonas-linderoth-ep-60/ How we learn: Naive, purposeful, and deliberate practice with Stephen Chew https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-mrwn2-18adce0 How advocacy is changing reading instruction with Jamie Metsala https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/how-advocacy-is-changing-reading-instruction-with-jamie-metsala/ Exploring evidence for equitable education with Nidhi Sachdeva and Jim Hewitt https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fjdnt-1685615 Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/using-evidence-in-education-with-pamela-snow-ep-27/ MUSIC Intro & Outro: Funk Jazz Big Band - ColorFilmMusic Website: www.annastokke.com FB: Chalk & Talk IG: @chalkandtalkpodcast Tiktok: @chalkandtalkpodcast X: @rastokke LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social