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The ThoughtStretchers Podcast

ThoughtStretchers Education
Inquiry-Based Learning
Cognitive Science
Cognitive Load Theory
Education
Project-Based Learning
Critical Thinking
Equity In Education
Education Policy
Teaching Strategies
School Choice
Knowledge-Rich Curriculum
Dyslexia
Educational Research
Artificial Intelligence
Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives
Educational Equity
Explicit Instruction
Curriculum Design
Reading Education
Civics Education

Dialectic Conversations For Intellectually Rigorous Educators

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes457Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The ThoughtStretchers Podcast

Latest Episodes

Drew Perkins welcomes math teacher and author Michael Pershan to explore the history of CLT and how he thinks about applying Cognitive Load Theory in his math teaching.

Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Have some feedback you'd like to... more

In this episode Drew Perkins talks with Haili Hughes, Associate Professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia about her work and thinking on education and teaching. More specifically, this conversation touched on matters of education triba... more

Drew Perkins talks with Mark Enser about his Substack piece titled, A Pedagogy for Powerful Knowledge | Why dialogue, enquiry and cognitive science aren't competing answers. This episode addresses questions like: "How to combine cognitive science wi... more

Drew Perkins talks with with author and educator Christian Moore to critically examine the "just tell them" model of instruction often championed by popular "science of learning" advocates. Drawing from his book, Teaching Meaning: What Works When Tel... more

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Recent Guests

Haili Hughes
Associate Professor at La Trobe University (Melbourne) and education thinker
La Trobe University
Episode: Education Tribalism, Research, & Practice
Mark Enser
Educator, former Ofsted National Geography Lead
Geography education/content creation
Episode: Synergizing Dialogue, Inquiry, and Cognitive Science for Powerful Knowledge Pedagogy
Christian Moore-Anderson
Returning guest; teacher in Spain and author of Teaching Meaning
Self-published/Independent educator
Episode: Teaching Meaning: Beyond "Just Tell Them"
Dylan Wiliam
Educator and researcher, associated with formative assessment work and Inside the Black Box
University/Educational research circles
Episode: Paul Black's Legacy of Assessment for learning
Chris Harrison
Educator at King's College London, PhD collaborations with Paul Black
King's College London
Episode: Paul Black's Legacy of Assessment for learning
Jo Boaler
Professor, Stanford University, PhD advisor through Paul Black's network
Stanford University
Episode: Paul Black's Legacy of Assessment for learning
James Moore
Author of Explain Yourself: Master the Art of Explanation in the Age of AI; writer for Veritasium
Veritasium; Uplearn
Episode: Show, Don't Just Tell: Explaining For Understanding
Holly Korbey
Journalist and author focusing on the science of learning
The Bell Ringer (Substack) / The Bell Ringer
Episode: Reimagining Our Pedagogy Conversations
Ted Dintersmith
Author and educator advocating for reform in math and schooling
Author of Aftermath; Director of Multiple Choice
Episode: Is The 'What & How' We Teach Math All Wrong?

Host

Drew Perkins
Host of The Thought Stretchers Podcast

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 52 ratings
  • Always insightful conversations!

    Drew is a good interviewer and has really interesting conversations. I highly recommend this podcast anyone that works in education!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Z Cress
    United States6 years ago
  • New Educator

    This was the first podcast that I listened to and what a wealth of knowledge and insight!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ambitious Blue
    United States7 years ago
  • Every Educator and Parent Needs to Listen

    Each conversation is filled with inspiration. If you are trying to teach your children what really matters and not just the material to pass tests, this podcast is a must!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bburtteaches
    United States8 years ago
  • Transforming education

    What a great podcast authentically changing education by providing valuable expertise in how to teach the 21st century learner!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AwesomeMontana
    United States8 years ago
  • Teacher

    I am a new teacher. It is my 3rd or 4th career. I teach in a private religious school. This podcast helped melearn about what isgoing on outside my school. It also exposed me to ideas on the cutting edge of education. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NDCARMI
    United States9 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is a go-to for educators seeking rigorous, evidence-based insights.
Clear, thought-provoking discussions that challenge conventional education approaches.
The host guides conversations with clarity and depth, making complex ideas accessible.
Guests bring practical expertise that translates to classroom impact.
Listeners appreciate data-driven debates and candid takes on edtech and policy.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Biologically Primary vs. Secondary Learning With David Geary
Q: What is the role of domain-general problem solving (fluid abilities) in education and its heritability?
Fluid problem-solving abilities are somewhat heritable and support learning across domains, but instruction can teach problem-solving approaches that are transferable, though not perfect transfer; educators should provide explicit strategies alongside opportunities to practice in multiple domains.
Biologically Primary vs. Secondary Learning With David Geary
Q: How do we handle the balance between inquiry-based approaches and explicit instruction in early childhood?
Geary suggests that early ages can benefit from guided inquiry integrated with content knowledge, but caution is needed to avoid making inquiry the sole approach; designers should provide engaging problems and opportunities to test ideas while supplying essential knowledge.
Biologically Primary vs. Secondary Learning With David Geary
Q: Is it fair to say that biologically primary knowledge and skills don't need to be explicitly taught and biologically secondary require instruction?
Geary argues that biologically primary skills develop through experience and are assisted by a structured environment, but biologically secondary skills typically require explicit teaching and guided practice to become functional and transferable across contexts.
School Choice, Competition vs. Spending
Q: How should policymakers think about ESSER funds in light of these findings?
ESSER funds showed that only a portion was earmarked for academics, yet the observed gains paralleled broader spending research, implying that the effectiveness of school spending depends on how funds are used, not just how much is spent; a focus on targeted instructional improvements and efficiency matters more than sheer money allocation.
Moving From Formative Assessment To Action
Q: But let's talk about formative action. Yes. So, why, you know, looking at some of your work, I think I understand, but kind of explain, why should we be shifting from formative assessment to formative action? Explain that for us.
Formative action reframes the idea away from being tool- or activity-focused toward a focus on pedagogy and what the teacher actually needs to know about students to act. It emphasizes collecting information to make informed decisions and follow-up actions that directly improve learning, rather than simply checking for understanding.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The ThoughtStretchers Podcast

What is The ThoughtStretchers Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on education, cognitive science, and pedagogy, hosting researchers, authors, and seasoned educators who push for evidence-based, curiosity-driven teaching. Episodes frequently explore how to design clearer explanations, balance foundational knowledge with inquiry, deploy formative assessment effectively, and leverage technology thoughtfully. Notable is a willingness to critique traditional schooling models, discuss policy impacts, and translate cognitive science into practical classroom strategies, with guests ranging from university researchers to reform-minded educators and journalists. The format tends to be deeply analytical, often linking theory to real-world schooling challenges, making it a strong fit for educators, ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The ThoughtStretchers Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The ThoughtStretchers Podcast:

1. Chalk & Talk
2. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
3. Science of Reading: The Podcast
4. The Knowledge Matters Podcast
5. School of Practice

How many episodes of The ThoughtStretchers Podcast are there?

The ThoughtStretchers Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 457 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The ThoughtStretchers Podcast?

Recent guests on The ThoughtStretchers Podcast include:

1. Haili Hughes
2. Mark Enser
3. Christian Moore-Anderson
4. Dylan Wiliam
5. Chris Harrison
6. Jo Boaler
7. James Moore
8. Holly Korbey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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