The Mr Barton Maths Podcast
Over 200 conversations with the biggest names in maths education — covering cognitive science, curriculum design, lesson planning, leadership, and much more. Search or scroll in the player below, or browse by series further down the page.
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Mr Barton Maths Podcast
Craig Barton interviews guests from the wonderful world of education about their approaches to teaching, educational research and more. All show notes, resources and videos here: https://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/
#212 Research in Action 29: Explanations and reasoning with Chris Shore
In this episode of the Mr. Barton Maths podcast, Craig is joined by Chris Shaw, a mathematics educator with nearly 30 years of experience. They discuss Chris's transition from secondary school teaching to a full-time role at Loughborough University, where he is involved in teacher training and research. The conversation delves into the importance of effective explanations in mathematics education, the challenges of pursuing a PhD, and the role of sense-making in teaching. Chris shares insights from his research on what constitutes a good mathematical explanation and the significance of example selection in teaching. The episode concludes with reflections on the complexities of teaching and the ongoing quest for effective educational practices. Read the show notes here: podcast.mrbartonmaths.com/212-research-in-action-29-explanations-and-reasoning-with-chris-shore
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Many episodes are part of a recurring series. Click to expand and explore.
🔬 Research in Action (28 episodes)
In-depth conversations with academic researchers, exploring what their findings mean for classroom practice.
- #211 Considering uncertainty when interpreting educational research with Hugo Lortie-Forgues
- #210 Technology and learning with Andrew Manches
- #209 Linguistic influences on number processing with Silke Goebel
- #178 The impact of the home environment with Vic Simms
- #177 Dyscalculia latest developments with Kinga Morsanyi
- #176 Economy versus Efficiency with Dave Hewitt
- #174 Early years mathematics with Camilla Gilmore
- #173 Culturally responsive mathematics with Jodie Hunter
- #172 How teachers use research with Paul Howard-Jones
- #153 Teaching mixed-attainment with Tom Francome
- #152 Comparative judgement with Ian Jones
- #151 Executive function with Camilla Gilmore
- #150 Writing a maths curriculum with Colin Foster
- #149 Children’s early understanding of number with Francesco Sella
- #148 Counting in the animal kingdom with Krzysztof Cipora
- #147 Self-explanation and how experts read maths with Lara Alcock
- #146 Inquiry as a way of being with Barbara Jaworski
- #145 University transition and oral assessments with Paola Iannone
- #133 When to tell and teaching algebra with Dave Hewitt
- #132 PhDs and maths textbooks with Beth Woollacott
- #131 Numbers and space with Krzysztof Cipora
- #130 Designing and interpreting educational research with Matthew Inglis
- #129 Cognitive Load Theory with Ouhao Chen
- #128 Fingers and game-based apps with Korbinian Moeller
- #127 Maths anxiety with Kelly Trezise
- #126 Estimation, equals and working memory with Iro Xenidou-Dervou
- #125 Parental engagement with Tim Jay
- #124 Language and Dyscalculia with Julia Bahnmuller
🎤 Conference Takeaways (22 episodes)
Highlights and key insights from maths education conferences around the UK and beyond.
- #142 Mathematical Association Conference 2021: Day 3
- #141 Mathematical Association Conference 2021: Day 2
- #140 Mathematical Association Conference 2021: Day 1
- #121 MathsConf24 (online!)
- #116 MathsConf23 (online!)
- #101 MathsConf22: Manchester
- #086 MEI Maths Conference 2019
- #080 ATM/MA 2019 Conference: Day 2
- #079 ATM/MA 2019 Conference: Day 1
- #077 Educating Northants 2019
- #076 researchEd Blackpool 2019
- #065 MathsConf16: Glasgow
- #064 researchED Scotland: September 2018
- #058 JustMaths Conference 2018
- #057 MathsConf15
- #056 Festival of Education: Day 2
- #053 researchEd Rugby
- #051 Comparative Judgement with Daisy Christodoulou
- #047 BCME: Day 4
- #046 BCME: Day 3
- #045 BCME: Day 2
- #044 BCME: Day 1
- #043 researchEd Blackpool 2018
- #041 MathsConf14
🛠️ Tools and Tips for Teachers (14 episodes)
Practical tools and strategies for the classroom, often featuring Ollie Lovell and other guests.
- #193 Episode 14 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #192 Episode 13 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #191 Episode 12 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #189 Episode 11 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #186 Episode 10 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #185 Episode 9 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #184 Episode 8 (with Ollie Lovell and Zach Groshell)
- #182 Episode 7 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #179 Episode 6 (with Ollie Lovell, Emma Turner and Tom Sherrington)
- #175 Episode 5 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #171 Episode 4 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #169 Episode 3 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #167 Episode 2
- #166 Episode 1
🏠 Teaching from Home (12 episodes)
Recorded during the Covid-19 lockdowns — practical advice for remote teaching from teachers who were figuring it out in real time.
- #113 Jamie Frost: Dr Frost Maths and virtual whiteboards
- #112 Ollie Lovell and Bryn Humberstone: Checking for understanding and Desmos
- #111 Jules Daulby: Supporting students with Special Educational Needs
- #110 Helen Williams: Supporting Early Years students
- #108 Jon Hutchinson: Making videos for primary school students
- #107 Adam Boxer: Retrieval, conducting interviews and staying sane
- #106 Dan Pearcy: Google Meets and 5 principles for remote teaching
- #105 Jo Morgan: Hegarty Maths and why she won’t be doing live lessons
- #104 Michael Pershan: Zoom and Assessment for Learning
- #103 Ben Rooney: Structure, social interactions and technology
- #102 Special episode: Online learning during the Covid-19 outbreak
📐 Developing a Lesson Structure (5 episodes with Ollie Lovell)
⚛️ Atomisation in Action (4 episodes with Kris Boulton)
🤖 AI and Education (3 episodes)
Full Episode Archive
Every episode, newest first. Click to expand.
All 211 episodes
- #211 Considering uncertainty when interpreting educational research with Hugo Lortie-Forgues
- #210 Research in Action 27: Technology and learning with Andrew Manches
- #209 Research in Action 26: Linguistic influences on number processing with Silke Goebel
- #208 Atomisation in Action 4 (with Kris Boulton and Duncan Grantham)
- #207 Atomisation in Action 3 (with Kris Boulton and Lee Wheeler)
- #206 Mastering classroom management with Ollie Lovell and Mark Dowley
- #205 Why CPD is broken and how to fix it with Adam Boxer
- #204 Developing a lesson structure – episode 5 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #203 Atomisation in Action 2 (with Kris Boulton and Lee Wheeler)
- #202 AI and Education 3 (with Neil Almond)
- #201 Atomisation in Action 1 (with Kris Boulton and Lee Wheeler)
- #200 AI and Education 2 (with James Radburn)
- #199 Developing a lesson structure – episode 4 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #198 AI and Education 1 (with Neil Almond)
- #197 Developing a lesson structure – episode 3 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #196 Developing a lesson structure – episode 2 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #195 Developing a lesson structure – episode 1 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #194 A chat about Ollie Lovell’s lesson
- #193 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 14 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #192 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 13 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #191 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 12 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #190 Atomisation and Unstoppable Learning with Kris Boulton
- #189 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 11 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #188 Ten ways to get amazing GCSE maths results with Jo Morgan
- #187 How to coach responsively with Josh Goodrich
- #186 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 10 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #185 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 9 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #184 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 8 (with Ollie Lovell and Zach Groshell)
- #183 How to help students remember things with Nick Soderstrom
- #182 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 7 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #181 Mark McCourt: Tips for teachers, Mastery, Reflections and Retirement
- #180 Surviving and thriving an Ofsted inspection with Steve Wren
- #179 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 6 (with Ollie Lovell, Emma Turner and Tom Sherrington)
- #178 Research in Action 25: Home environment and maths attainment with Vic Simms
- #177 Research in Action 24: Dyscalculia latest with Kinga Morsanyi
- #176 Research in Action 23: Economy versus Efficiency with Dave Hewitt
- #175 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 5 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #174 Research in Action 22: Early years mathematics with Camilla Gilmore
- #173 Research in Action 21: Culturally responsive mathematics with Jodie Hunter
- #172 Research in Action 20: How teachers use research with Paul Howard-Jones
- #171 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 4 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #170 How to secure 100% student engagement with Pritesh Raichura
- #169 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 3 (with Ollie Lovell)
- #168 How to lead a maths department with Femi Adeniran and Matt Findlay
- #167 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 2
- #166 Tools and Tips for Teachers: Episode 1
- #165 How to be more evidence-informed with Peps Mcrea
- #164 How to plan a maths lesson with Craig Latimir
- #163 How to observe a lesson with Adam Boxer
- #162 Beyond survival: a conversation with Jamie Thom
- #161 The future of the Mr Barton Maths podcast
- #160 Ollie Lovell: Relations, regulation, leadership & tools for teachers
- #159 Introducing… Tips for Teachers!
- #158 Adam Boxer: Explanations, retrieval and maths & science working together
- #157 Dan Draper: Overlearning and conceptual leaps
- #156 Paul Rowlandson: Getting mixed up with interleaving
- #155 Jo Morgan: Depth and sequencing of the maths curriculum
- #154 Tom Harbour: Engaging parents in their children’s learning
- #153 Research in Action 19: Teaching mixed-attainment with Tom Francome
- #152 Research in Action 18: Comparative judgement with Ian Jones
- #151 Research in Action 17: Executive function with Camilla Gilmore
- #150 Research in Action 16: Writing a maths curriculum with Colin Foster
- #149 Research in Action 15: Children’s early understanding of number with Francesco Sella
- #148 Research in Action 14: Counting in the animal kingdom with Krzysztof Cipora
- #147 Research in Action 13: Self-explanation and how experts read maths with Lara Alcock
- #146 Research in Action 12: Inquiry as a way of being with Barbara Jaworski
- #145 Research in Action 11: University transition and oral assessments with Paola Iannone
- #144 Christian Bokhove: Coherence, textbooks and research best bets
- #143 Anne Watson and Kris Boulton in conversation
- #142 Conference Takeaways: Mathematical Association Conference 2021: Day 3
- #141 Conference Takeaways: Mathematical Association Conference 2021: Day 2
- #140 Conference Takeaways: Mathematical Association Conference 2021: Day 1
- #139 Michael Pershan: Teaching with worked examples: part 2
- #138 Michael Pershan: Teaching with worked examples: part 1
- #137 Doug Lemov: Tips for the return to classrooms
- #136 CLASSIC: Dani Quinn – Part 1: Michaela School, Planning Lessons, Low Stakes Tests
- #135 Jo Morgan: Tips and resources for teaching online
- #134 Ollie Lovell: Cognitive Load Theory in Action
- #133 Research in Action 10: When to tell and teaching algebra with Dave Hewitt
- #132 Research in Action 9: PhDs and maths textbooks with Beth Woollacott
- #131 Research in Action 8: Numbers and space with Krzysztof Cipora
- #130 Research in Action 7: Designing and interpreting educational research with Matthew Inglis
- #129 Research in Action 6: Cognitive Load Theory with Ouhao Chen
- #128 Research in Action 5: Fingers and game-based apps with Korbinian Moeller
- #127 Research in Action 4: Maths anxiety with Kelly Trezise
- #126 Research in Action 3: Estimation, equals and working memory with Iro Xenidou-Dervou
- #125 Research in Action 2: Parental engagement with Tim Jay
- #124 Research in Action 1: Language and Dyscalculia with Julia Bahnmuller
- #123 Peps McCrea: Motivated teaching
- #122 Jo Morgan: Teaching Key Stage 3 maths
- #121 Conference Takeaways: MathsConf24 (online!)
- #120 Mark Healy – Part 2: Sleep, growth mindset and teaching amid Covid-19
- #119 Jemma Sherwood – Part 2: Preparing for September 2020 & being a Head of Department
- #118 Adele Bates: Behaviour and relationships
- #117 Jonathan Hall: MathsBot, teaching visually and behaving mathematically
- #116 Conference Takeaways: MathsConf23 (online!)
- #115 Mark Healy – Part 1: Cognitive science versus cognitive psychology
- #114 Robert Kaplinsky: Depth of Knowledge, Open Middle Problems and effective CPD
- #113 Teaching from Home: Jamie Frost: Dr Frost Maths and virtual whiteboards
- #112 Teaching from Home: Ollie Lovell and Bryn Humberstone: Checking for understanding and Desmos
- #111 Teaching from Home: Jules Daulby: Supporting students with Special Educational Needs
- #110 Teaching from Home: Helen Williams: Supporting Early Years students
- #109 Paul Kirschner and Carl Hendrick: How learning happens
- #108 Teaching from Home: Jon Hutchinson: Making videos for primary school students
- #107 Teaching from Home: Adam Boxer: Retrieval and staying sane
- #106 Teaching from Home: Dan Pearcy: Google Meets and 5 principles for remote teaching
- #105 Teaching from Home: Jo Morgan: Hegarty Maths and why she won’t be doing live lessons
- #104 Teaching from Home: Michael Pershan: Zoom and Assessment for Learning
- #103 Teaching from Home: Ben Rooney: Structure, social interactions and technology
- #102 Special episode: Online learning during the Covid-19 outbreak
- #101 Conference Takeaways: MathsConf22: Manchester: March 2020
- #100 Daisy Christodoulou: Teachers vs Tech!
- #099 Topics in Depth: Angles and parallel lines with Jo Morgan
- #098 Kris Boulton – Part 3: Is cognitive science almost useless for designing effective teaching?
- #097 Exam malpractice: Inside Exams with AQA
- #096 Tom Francome: Supporting novice teachers and planning lessons
- #095 Topics in Depth: Indices with Jo Morgan
- #094 Emma McCrea: Making every maths lesson count and training teachers
- #093 Alex Bellos: Puzzles, Perception and Pool Tables
- #092 Julia Smith: Teaching GCSE resit and the 5Rs approach
- #091 Multiple Choice Questions on trial with AQA’s Zeek Sweiry
- #090 Rob Eastaway: Estimation, perception of maths & the importance of haha
- #089 The Science of Learning: 77 Studies That Every Teacher Needs to Know
- #088 Slice of Advice 2019: What did you learn this year?
- #087 Tom Sherrington: Rosenshine’s Principles in Action
- #086 Conference Takeaways: MEI Maths Conference 2019
- #085 Jonny Griffiths: RISPs, problem solving and mental health
- #084 Chris McGrane: Task design and changing your mind
- #083 Michael Pershan: Example-Problem Pairs and problem solving
- #082 Mark McCourt – the return! Teaching for mastery
- #081 Inside Exams: Episode 1: Language
- #080 Conference Takeaways: ATM/MA 2019 Conference: Day 2
- #079 Conference Takeaways: ATM/MA 2019 Conference: Day 1
- #078 Peter Mattock: Visible Maths, planning lessons & running a department
- #077 Conference Takeaways: Educating Northants 2019
- #076 Conference Takeaways: researchEd Blackpool 2019
- #075 Alex Quigley: Closing the vocabulary gap
- #074 Jemma Sherwood – Part 1: Sequences of lessons and the importance of silence
- #073 Naveen Rizvi: Scripted lessons, examples and social media
- #072 Chris Smith: Injecting fun into lessons, Pi Day & Revision Days
- #071 David Didau: Making kids cleverer
- #070 Jo Morgan: 100th Maths Gems Special
- #069 Helen Williams: Early Years teaching and manipulatives
- #068 Becky Allen: Workload, happiness, expertise, progress & pupil premium
- #067 Bernie Westacott: Teaching maths with visuals and manipulatives
- #066 Hannah Fry: Algorithms, love and being a mathematician
- #065 Conference Takeaways: MathsConf16: Glasgow
- #064 Conference Takeaways: researchED Scotland: September 2018
- #063 Jeremy Hodgen: Teaching low-attaining students, relevance and fingers!
- #062 Simon Singh: Fermat’s Last Theorem and stretching high-attainers
- #061 Slice of Advice: What does the first lesson with your class look like?
- #060 Greg Ashman: The Truth about Teaching
- #059 Slice of Advice 2018: What did you learn this year?
- #058 Conference Takeaways: JustMaths Conference 2018
- #057 Conference Takeaways: MathsConf15
- #056 Conference Takeaways: Festival of Education: Day 2
- #055 GCSE Maths Exam special: Graham Cumming and Karen Wilkinson
- #054 Tom Sherrington: The Learning Rainforest
- #053 Conference Takeaways: researchEd Rugby
- #052 Harry Fletcher-Wood: Responsive Teaching
- #051 Conference Takeaways: Comparative Judgement with Daisy Christodoulou
- #050 Dylan Wiliam – the return! Creating the Schools our Children need
- #049 Alison Kiddle and Charlie Gilderdale: NRICH
- #048 Lucy Crehan: Cleverlands
- #047 Conference Takeaways: BCME: Day 4
- #046 Conference Takeaways: BCME: Day 3
- #045 Conference Takeaways: BCME: Day 2
- #044 Conference Takeaways: BCME: Day 1
- #043 Conference Takeaways: researchEd Blackpool 2018
- #042 Oliver Lovell: Planning, running a maths department & Cognitive Load Theory
- #041 Conference Takeaways: MathsConf14
- #040 Anne Watson and John Mason: Variation, questioning, visualising & developing mathematical thinkers
- #039 Helen Hindle: Mixed attainment teaching and growth mindset
- #038 Amir Arezoo: Lean maths departments, deep work & schemes of work
- #037 Jane Jones: Ofsted, observations, marking & reasoning
- #036 Carl Hendrick and Robin Macpherson: What does this look like in the classroom?
- #035 Colin Foster: Mathematical Etudes, Confidence & Questioning
- #034 Doug Lemov: Teach like a Champion and top tips for delivering training
- #033 Peps Mccrea: Planning, Memorable Teaching & Teacher Expertise
- #032 Lucy Rycroft-Smith: Cambridge Mathematics, Setting, Times Tables & Anxiety
- #031 Kris Boulton – Part 2: Minimally guided instruction, Understanding & How before Why
- #030 Andrew Blair: Inquiries and being a Head of Department
- #029 Andrew Blair: Inquiry Maths
- #028 Rachel Webster: How your Year 7s have been taught maths
- #027 Chief Examiner Trevor Senior: How GCSE Maths exams are written
- #026 Nick Rose: Mindset, Misconceptions & Differentiation
- #025 Ed Southall – Part 2: Maths Puzzles and Lessons from Japan
- #024 Kris Boulton – Part 1: Planning Lessons, Engelmann and Differentiation
- #023 Robert and Elizabeth Bjork: Memory, Forgetting, Testing & Desirable Difficulties
- #022 Dani Quinn – Part 2: Michaela School, Behaviour, Drills & Culture
- #021 Daisy Christodoulou: Assessment, Multiple Choice Questions, 7 Myths about Education
- #020 Greg Ashman: Cognitive Load Theory and Direct Instruction vs Inquiry-Based Learning
- #019 Paul Rowlandson: Bar Modelling, Questioning, Shanghai, Tokyo & Training Teachers
- #018 Tom Bennett: Behaviour, Teacher Workload and ResearchEd
- #017 John Corbett: Flipped Learning, Videos and Corbett Maths
- #016 Dylan Wiliam: Author, Researcher, Trainer and Assessment for Learning Expert
- #015 Ed Southall – Part 1: SolveMyMaths and Mathematics PGCE Tutor
- #014 Beth Lilley: NQT
- #013 Jamie Frost: Dr Frost Maths and Teaching High Achievers
- #012 Mark McCourt: Ofsted, emaths, La Salle Education, NCETM and more!
- #011 Stefanie Sullivan: Maths PGCE Tutor from Nottingham University
- #010 Will Emeny: Great Maths Teaching Ideas and Numeracy Ninjas
- #009 Dan Meyer: 3 Act Math, Desmos, TED Talk and more!
- #008 Charlie Stripp: NCETM and MEI
- #007 Bruno Reddy: Times Table Rockstars and MrReddy.com
- #006 Mel Muldowney: JustMaths
- #005 Jo Morgan: Resourceaholic
- #004 Oxbridge Interview Special
- #003 Neil Ogden: Maths Specialist at OCR
- #002 Graham Cumming: Head of Maths at Edexcel
- #001 Andrew Taylor: Head of Maths at AQA
I also host the Tips for Teachers podcast — practical ideas for the classroom in under 10 minutes.