SPRING 2024, Vol. 6
June 2024
Published by: Montana Office of Public Instruction Mathematics Instructional Coordinator - Katrina Engeldrum
MT Math Minute
Feature:
Podcast Learning
In today’s busy world, teachers need professional learning that delivers important information in the time it takes to drive to work, drink coffee, or go on a walk. In this feature, we will explore the science behind listening to podcasts, how you can leverage them to increase your professional skills within your capacity, and we will share some of our favorite math education podcasts.
What does the research say?
A survey study by the PEW Research center, conducted in 2023 determined...
So.... How can we harness this for professional learning while building capacity for educators and supporting our valued teachers in their instructional practices?
FEATURE: Podcast Learning
“About half of adults in the United States have listened to a podcast in the past 12 months”
(Shearer, E., Liedke, J., Matsa, K., et al., 2023)
55% of podcast listeners identified learning as a major reason for listening.
(Shearer, E., Liedke, J., Matsa, K., et al., 2023)
60% of listeners watched a movie, read a book, or listened to music because of a podcast they listened to.
(Shearer, E., Liedke, J., Matsa, K., et al., 2023)
Shearer, E., Liedke, J., Matsa, K., Lipka, M., & Jurkowitz, M. (18 April, 2023). Podcasts as a Source of News and Information. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2023/04/18/how-americans-use-and-engage-with-podcasts/
START SMALL -
Try adding this to a routine that already exists and set a reasonable goal to start. For example, you may set a goal to listen once per week during your drive to work.
EXPLORE -
Try out a few different podcasts until you find one you like. The first one you find may not be for you, and that is ok! Keep searching!
FOLLOW-UP -
If the podcast references a book, study, or video that interests you, find it! Following up on these resources will impact your professional learning in big ways, and allow you to explore independently.
BE SELECTIVE -
Not all podcasts are created equal. While those teacher-venting sessions are entertaining, they’re not professional learning. Opt for podcasts that are research-backed and focus on pedagogy or SEL, not just entertainment.
FEATURE: Podcast Learning
Let us be clear - Podcasts are not a replacement for high-quality professional learning that is dynamic, engaging, sustained, and work-embedded.
However, in today’s busy world, Podcasts do offer some opportunities for professional learning in a way that integrates itself neatly into educator’s lives.
Especially if there is little to no room for high-quality professional learning during the school year.
Here are some tips for starting out listening to educational podcasts for Professional Learning.
SHARE -
Start a book-club style listening club with your colleagues. This will build accountability and give you something to talk about in the break room!
FEATURE: Podcast Learning
Here are some of our favorite Math Education podcats to get you started...
Summer Conferences
There are many high-quality and exciting professional development opportunities headed our way this summer. Please consider registering for these events and learning about how to support your mathematics instructional practices. Each of these events offers mathematics-specific training and some include special topics such as artificial intelligence, social-emotional learning, and cross-curricular integration.
Click any opportunity to learn more.
17th & 18th
Jun. 30th - Jul. 5th
AUG.
5th - 7th
8th & 9th
RESOURCE LIST:
Here are some resources for developing math learning in the classroom:
Discovery
Education
Now free for all Montana K-12 teachers and students! Materials include:
- Activities
- Videos
- Interactive Games
- Lessons
- And More!
Math For Love
Free games, instructional tools, and lessons for your classroom. Math For Love was developed with play-based learning in mind and features k-12 resources that range from last minute bell-ringers to full-blown lesson plans and activities to use in your planning.
Which One Doesn’t Belong?
These thought puzzles are great for bell-ringers and are sure to help your students engage in mathematical dialog. These have the capacity to build mathematical conversations and discourse in the classroom and can take just under 5 minutes of classroom time depending on how they are implemented.
More
Resources
For more resources visit our padlet where you will find:
- Featured classroom resources.
- Podcast Episodes of Interest.
- Research in Math Education.
- And more!
All curated and updated weekly by our Math Instructional Coordinator
pROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teacher Learning Hub Offerings:
Addition and Subtraction Strategies (5 PDUs)
But What About Fact Fluency (2 PDUs)
Indian Ed & Math Seamless Integration (2 PDUs)
Mathematical Practices (K-8) (3 PDUs)
Multiplication Strategies of Basic Facts (4 PDUs)
Multiplication Strategies: Multi-Digit Numbers (5 PDUs)
Playing with Pythagoras (4 PDUs)
Problem Solving: Bring Your Classroom Alive! (3 PDUs)
The Hub offerings are free and self-guided. While each training can be applied towards licensure renewal, we encourage you to check with your district administrator or collective bargaining agreement to verify these meet district requirements for PIR.
Upcoming Events:
Professional Development F.A.Q
Need Additional Support?
Thanks for
Reading!
Want to be featured in future volumes?
OPI would love to feature those educators making innovative strides in mathematics education. If you would like to see a teacher, math department, school, or district honored for their great work, please fill out our feature request form.
