Chalk & Talk

In this episode, Anna is joined by Professor Joanna Barbousas, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Education, Impact and Innovation, and Dean of the School of Education at La Trobe University in Australia.

Early in her career, Joanna noticed that many capable students struggled to access the curriculum due to gaps in foundational reading and language skills—an insight that has shaped her work ever since.

Now, she is focused on transforming teacher education to better prepare educators using evidence-based practices. Joanna shares how she led major changes at La Trobe University–redesigning programs to align with the science of learning and launching initiatives like the Science of Language and Reading Lab and the Science of Math Education Lab.

Anna and Joanna also explore why change is so difficult in universities and what it takes to lead meaningful reform.

This is a compelling conversation for anyone interested in improving education and translating research into practice.

This episode is also available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke

SHORT COURSE 
La Trobe Short Course:  Evidence-informed Mathematics Teaching – An Introduction https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/evidence-informed-mathematics-teaching

ResearchED Calgary
ResearchED Calgary registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/researched-calgary-tickets-1984343272144

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:22] Introduction
[00:05:19] How Joanna’s early teaching shaped her leadership initiatives
[00:06:51] How Joanna went from classroom teacher to Dean
[00:10:31] The education landscape in Australia
[00:15:38] Unpacking the Rowe report
[00:19:23] The importance of teacher education reviews in Australian
[00:24:51] The outcomes of the TEEP review

 [00:30:08] Becoming the Dean of Education at La Trobe University
[00:35:25] Reaction from faculty members
[00:43:34] SOLAR Lab – How was it established?
[00:49:17] Explaining the successful Nexus program
[00:53:38] What Joanna learned about retaining teachers in hard-to-staff schools
[00:55:17] Ideas for a national model
[00:57:42] Why change matters: A message to leaders
[01:00:26] Conclusion

 

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES 
Rebuilding teacher training through cognitive science with Jonas Linderoth
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zwqb7-19e0dae

Reclaiming learning time to boost literacy and numeracy with Ross Fox
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bpy4n-188c9c5

Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jc9mq-161ecac

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-69-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-69-resources

 

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

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 large-scale international assessments like PISA can (and can’t) tell us. The conversation also explores why education reform is so difficult to implement, what high-performing systems right like those in East Asia and Estonia get right, and whether Finland’s reputation as a model system is supported by evidence.

This is a fascinating conversation that will appeal to educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in what actually drives improvement in education systems.

This episode is also available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke

MONTSERRAT GOMENDIO’S BOOK (OPEN ACCESS)
Dire Straits-Education Reforms: Ideology, Vested Interests and Evidence: https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0332

SHORT COURSE 
La Trobe Short Course:  Evidence-informed Mathematics Teaching – An Introduction https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/evidence-informed-mathematics-teaching

ResearchED Calgary
ResearchED Calgary registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/researched-calgary-tickets-1984343272144

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:22] Introduction
[00:04:55] The role of Deputy Director of Education at the OCED
[00:06:21] What is the purpose of PISA?
[00:07:29] How is PISA different from TIMSS or PIRLS?
[00:12:54] What is an appropriate definition of equity?
[00:15:06] Measures that improve educational equity
[00:19:57] The perplexing narrative about Finland as a top performer
[00:28:42] Why do East Asian countries perform so well?
[00:33:00] The importance of content knowledge
[00:36:06] Misleading recommendations from the OECD
[00:37:16] After-school tutoring in East Asian countries
[00:41:36] Why implementation in different countries can be difficult: Latin America
[00:46:18] Reducing class size: popular and expensive, but ineffective
[00:48:08] What makes an effective teacher?
[00:52:01] A look at Estonia’s education system
[00:54:14] Why is it so hard to implement reforms even when they are evidence-based?
[01:02:23] Preventing the reversal of good education policies
[01:06:31] What are the main components that make an effective education system?

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES 

When a mathematician became education minister: Nuno Crato on transforming education
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pxzyk-19b773f

Balanced literacy didn’t work—will balanced math?
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-usvqw-1962107

From decline to top rankings: How England transformed education with Nick Gibb
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zps9p-18c1e97

Understanding math reform ideology with Tom Loveless 
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7ih4c-15dbf9a

 

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-68-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

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 instruction, particularly when students are learning new content.

This episode will be extremely valuable for educators, especially math teachers, who want to better understand how students become expert problem solvers and what that means for effective instruction.

This episode is also available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke

SHORT COURSE 

La Trobe Short Course:  Evidence-informed Mathematics Teaching – An Introduction https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/evidence-informed-mathematics-teaching

TIMESTAMPS
[00:00:22] Introduction
[00:03:53] Biologically primary and biologically secondary knowledge
[00:09:34] Element Interactivity
[00:15:37] Two characteristics of working memory
[00:16:52] Understanding long-term memory
[00:21:06] Does working memory capacity vary for different people?
[00:21:44] Can working memory capacity be altered?
[00:22:45] How can you measure working memory?
[00:23:49] Explaining cognitive load theory
[00:27:55] Can you measure cognitive load?
[00:31:51] Sweller’s definition of problem solving
[00:37:28] Understanding schemas
[00:44:26] The way novices and experts categorize problems differently
[00:46:11] The expertise reversal effect
[00:50:13] How to identify students are ready for problem solving
[00:52:12] Thoughts on productive failure
[00:55:40] Why is there still debate about prioritizing inquiry-based approaches in math instruction?

 

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES 

Evidence-based teaching strategies with Paul Kirschner
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zgw6i-13b33df

Cognitive load theory with Greg Ashman
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-thbad-13cea56

Cognitive load theory in math class with David Morkunas
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-znh5k-15f7937

Unmasking instructional illusions with Paul Kirschner, Carl Hendrick and Jim Heal
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-kvuee-198b6ee

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-67-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

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 desirable, and why what looks like slow progress in the short term may actually lead to more durable learning in the long-term.

This episode will be of interest to educators at all levels and is especially important for high school and university students and their teachers who want to develop effective study habits grounded in science.

This episode is also available at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke

 

SHORT COURSE 
La Trobe Short Course:  Evidence-informed Mathematics Teaching – An Introduction https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/evidence-informed-mathematics-teaching

 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:22] Introduction
[00:04:48] Guests’ background: moving from math to psychology
[00:09:04] Researching effective learning techniques
[00:10:35] Who does this research apply to?
[00:14:47] The introduction of ‘Desirable difficulties’
[00:18:40] Understanding desirable difficulties
[00:20:13] Importance of retrieval practice
[00:30:46] The spacing effect
[00:33:43] Variation and the benefits for students
[00:36:55] Retrieval practice is the anchor in desirable difficulties
[00:43:19] Blocking and interleaving
[00:51:58] Final Thoughts

 

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES 

Evidence-based teaching strategies with Paul Kirschner
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zgw6i-13b33df

How we learn: Naïve, purposeful, and deliberate practice with Stephen Chew

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-mrwn2-18adce0

Powerful teaching with Patrice Bain
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-d77g4-14602e3

How to excel in math and other tough subjects with Barbara Oakley
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bqs8p-14068f2

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-66-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

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, policymakers, and parents navigating the current math education landscape.

This episode is also available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke

SHORT COURSE 

La Trobe Short Course:  Evidence-informed Mathematics Teaching – An Introduction https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/evidence-informed-mathematics-teaching

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:22] Introduction and an overview of the NCSM statement
[00:10:25] What is the Science of Math?
[00:12:07] Is this only about special education?
[00:14:24] Math learning through the general lens of learning science
[00:17:19] Is the Science of Math equivalent to the Science of Reading?
[00:20:01] The instructional hierarchy applies to learning anything
[00:24:07] The same groups tried to discredit What Works Clearinghouse
[00:26:30] Responding to claims about research citations
[00:29:49] Addressing the NCSM’s claims about quantitative research
[00:31:21] Why quantitative research and data matter
[00:38:24] Why alignment with IES and What Works Clearinghouse is a strength, not a flaw
[00:40:18] Importance of measuring learning 
[00:42:59] Strange statements about an impoverished pedagogical approach
[00:47:30] Misconceptions about explicit instruction
[00:51:25] Is there quantitative data that supports mixed approaches or inquiry?
[00:55:20] Does explicit instruction fundamentally minimize learners' autonomy?
[00:56:32] Final Claim: The one-size-fits-all teaching method
[00:58:04] Problems with the phrase “math wars”
[00:59:59] Why is there such strong resistance to The Science of Math?
[01:02:51] Final Thoughts

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES 
Reading and math: Parallels and pitfalls with Matt Burns
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-8aj3f-1508af6

Red flags in education research with Ben Solomon
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cp5xt-156072c

Science of Math with Amanda VanDerHeyden
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bksbz-13c732d

Supporting students with math difficulties with Sarah Powell
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ciqgm-17def6b

The power of explicit instruction with Anita Archer
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-93dcw-19a3530

Mailbag: Building Thinking Classrooms, number talks, & more with Zach Groshell
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-stw9g-186807f

 

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-65-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-65-resources

 

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