Teaching math so students learn with Craig Barton (Ep 63)

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1. 

   E68 · 3 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 9 min

   The Finland myth, East Asia’s rise, and what makes education systems work with Montserrat Gomendio (Ep 68)

   In this episode, Anna is joined by Dr. Montserrat (Montse) Gomendio, a former Secretary of State for Education in Spain. Montse is also a former Deputy Director of Education for the OECD, the international organization that administers the PISA test. Drawing on global data, including from PISA, Montse explains why some education systems consistently perform well while others struggle to improve. Montse discusses the three key drivers of effective education systems: teacher quality, a knowledge-rich curriculum, and strong assessments aligned with that curriculum. Anna and Montse discuss what…

2. 

   E67 · 20 Mar 2026 · 59 min

   Cognitive load theory and learning math with John Sweller (Ep 67)

   In this episode, Anna is joined by Dr. John Sweller, emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales and the researcher best known for developing Cognitive Load Theory. Together, they explore how cognitive load theory should guide classroom practice, particularly in mathematics. John explains the limits of working memory, how experts and novices approach problem solving differently, and how strategies like worked examples can help manage cognitive load. They also discuss whether productive failure is supported by research and the strong experimental evidence supporting explicit…

3. 

   E66 · 6 Mar 2026 · 55 min

   Desirable difficulties for learning with Elizabeth Bjork and Robert Bjork (Ep 66)

   In this episode, Anna is joined by two world-renowned experts in human memory and learning, Dr. Elizabeth Bjork and Dr. Robert Bjork, to explore what makes a difficulty desirable in learning. They explain why some learning strategies that feel effortful often leads to stronger, longer-lasting retention while strategies that feel easy, like rereading or rewatching lectures without self-testing, or cramming, can create an illusion of mastery. The conversation unpacks retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving, variation, and addresses common misconceptions about what makes a difficulty…

4. 

   E65 · 20 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

   Science of Math: The movement everyone's talking about with Sarah Powell (Ep. 65)

   In this episode, Anna is joined once again by Dr. Sarah Powell, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin whose research focusses on supporting students with math difficulties. They respond to a recent NCSM statement criticizing the Science of Math movement. Anna and Sarah unpack what the Science of Math is and why high-quality evidence matters. They address misconceptions about explicit instruction and “one-size-fits-all” teaching and explore why math instruction deserves the same scientific scrutiny as reading instruction. This episode is a must-listen for educators, school leaders,…

5. 

   E64 · 6 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 3 min

   Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction with Tom Sherrington (Ep 64)

   In this episode, Anna is joined by Tom Sherrington, education consultant, author of Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, co-author of the Teaching Walkthrough series, and a former teacher and school leader with over 30 years of experience. Tom shares how Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction became a foundational framework for his own practice and why they remain one of the most useful entry points into evidence-based teaching. They explore where the principles came from, why they matter, and what they actually look like in real classrooms, with a focus on sequencing and modelling, effective…

6. 

   E62 · 9 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

   Why more classroom technology is making students learn less (Ep 62)

   n this episode, Anna is joined by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, a cognitive neuroscientist, educator, and bestselling author of The Digital Delusion. They examine what decades of research and international data reveal about classroom technology, screens, multitasking, attention, and memory, and why more technology often leads to less learning. Jared explains how offloading knowledge to devices can undermine higher-order thinking, why human teachers’ expertise, and practice, remain central to learning, and when technology may help or hinder students. The conversation also tackles how schools and…

7. 

   E61 · 19 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 8 min

   Why students struggle in math and how to fix it with Barbara Oakley and John Mighton (Ep 61)

   In this episode, Anna is joined by two familiar guests, mathematician and founder of JUMP Math, Dr. John Mighton, and learning expert and bestselling author Dr. Barbara Oakley. They discuss their new Coursera course, Making Math Click: Understanding Math Without Fear, what learning science reveals about how students learn math, and why practice and worked examples play such a critical role in building math confidence. They discuss schemas, give some cautionary advice about using manipulatives and concrete-pictorial-abstract approaches, and explain why moving quickly from concrete to abstract…

8. 

   E60 · 5 Dec 2025 · 52 min

   Rebuilding teacher training through cognitive science with Jonas Linderoth (Ep 60)

   In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. Jonas Linderoth, a professor of education at the University of Gothenburg, about how influential educational ideas have shaped the teaching profession and why evidence from cognitive science and educational psychology still faces resistance in teacher education. They discuss how education reforms of the 1990s affected teacher status and student outcomes, and Jonas’ reflections on his own role during that period. They also discuss why evidence-based pedagogy is so crucial and what it means when teachers encounter research-informed strategies and respond…

9. 

   E59 · 21 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 13 min

   Why reading became a human rights issue in Canada with George Georgiou (Ep 59)

   In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. George Georgiou, an educational psychologist and professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, whose work focuses on preventing and remediating reading difficulties. The episode explores recent Human Rights Commission investigations in Canadian provinces that examined why students haven’t been taught to read using effective, evidence-based, methods–what the inquiries uncovered, and how the situation deteriorated to this point. They also discuss George’s research on reading difficulties and his eye-opening study that revealed the gaps…

10. 

    E58 · 7 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 7 min

    When a mathematician became education minister: Nuno Crato on transforming education (Ep 58)

    In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Nuno Crato, research professor of mathematics and statistics at the University of Lisbon. He was Portugal’s former Minister of Education and led major education reforms from 2011 to 2015. His education reforms contributed to Portugal’s strongest-ever results on international assessments like PISA and TIMSS. Nuno shares his belief that everything starts with the curriculum and stresses the importance of clear standards, accountability, and student support. He also explains how Portugal raised academic rigor while helping struggling learners. They also…