Info

Teachers Talking Teaching

John Catterson (@jfcatto) and Pete Whiting (@mr_van_w) are two Australian Flipped Educators. Together they talk education, pedagogy and current practice. Find more of Pete and John: Website - www.catfisheducation.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrCattersonScience YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/PWhiting
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Teachers Talking Teaching
2023
May


2022
July
April
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
June
May
March
February
January


2020
October
September
August
July
June
May
March
February


2019
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: Page 1
May 18, 2023

In this episode of "Teachers Talking Teaching," hosts Pete Whiting (@mr_van_w) and Shawtima Rakovski (@shawtimasmiles) discuss the insightful article "Australian classrooms are among the 'least favourable' for discipline in the OECD. Here’s how to improve student behaviour" from The Conversation. Join them as they unpack the key points and share their perspectives on enhancing classroom discipline for better student outcomes.

URL: Link to the article on The Conversation

Show Notes:

  • Introduction to the episode and hosts Pete Whiting and Shawtima Rakovski.
  • Overview of the article highlighting the concerning statistics on discipline in Australian classrooms.
  • Discussion on the factors contributing to the current state of student behavior and discipline in Australia.
  • Analysis of the strategies proposed in the article for improving student behavior and fostering a positive classroom environment.
  • Personal anecdotes and experiences shared by the hosts regarding classroom discipline challenges and successes.
  • Insights into the role of teachers, parents, and the education system in creating a supportive and disciplined learning environment.
  • Practical tips and recommendations for educators to implement effective behavior management techniques in their classrooms.
Jul 14, 2022

In this episode, we talk about local competitions and politicians who give teenagers NO QUARTER!

Also congrats to Queensland for not ruining the election for the rest of us, in fact well done for being oddly progressive.

Generally, we talk about Chile’s largest sensei and about the protective factors of a growth mindset for students from a lower socioeconomic background.

If you wish to reach out, find us at 

https://twitter.com/Mr_van_W

or

https://www.chess.com/member/mr_van_w

or Shawtima

https://twitter.com/ShawtimaSmiles

 

 

Apr 20, 2022
Look, did you want a quality podcast or did you want quality show notes?

In this episode we talk about a more lady-like approach to decision making, apparently. We dive into the research of Dr Johnston et al out of WA regarding the Ethic of Care and this as a framework for our decisions and interactions both within and without the classroom.

That can be found here!

Shawti has finally drunk the kool aid on Teachers Pay Teachers - The Teachers Talking Teaching Kool Aid that is. Burn it to the ground, support teachers sharing.

Apr 20, 2022

So this episode was recorded a month ago (maybe more) as an answer to some Patreon questions and then our world all fell apart. Between sickness, pandemic and adventures in heart failure (all is good now I promise, just little cardiac-hiccups) we actually thought that this episode was gone. But here it is!

If you want to help us be more regular, at this point there are two places that we would love some support. First, there's a Patreon, this costs real dollars to put out and any help is appreciated. Go here for that: https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation Secondly, the real barrier for us at the moment is editing. If you want to help us edit our podcasts and help get those episodes out, we would be eternally grateful. Obviously, we would like to pay for this but as we said before, the pod costs not earns but if you’d like to be part of the team and help out - by all means let us know.

We love you all and we’re glad to be back.

 

Books Mentioned on the Pod:

The Cultural Practice of Teaching

Sand Talk - Tyson Yunkaporta

Pedagogy of the Oppressed - Paulo Friere

Teaching to transgress : education as the practice of freedom - bell hooks

 

The Practical Practice of Teaching

Creating Cultures of Thinking - Ron Ritchhart

Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners - Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, Karin Morrison

 

Also, Red Dwarf sucks.

Jan 27, 2022

In this episode Pete and Shawtima get pumped for the new teaching year and settle in for the new normal.

 

Shawtima mentioned using Tango as a tool for making instructables for team members and also violently threatens her team members. But then Shawtima dives deeply into some teacher wellbeing strategies. It’s not always the big moments and stunt work that counts. 

If we can work on the simple unsexy stuff then maybe we can have a more sustainable worklife. Also, Pete says he’s fine, just fine… too many times for it to be believable.

On a positive note, Shawtima explains some excellent tools for people with Anxiety that Pete has 100% been using since then and it totally has helped.

 

I tell you what, Libraries are rad and they should be the hub of all schools. Pete had an article but he got distracted by library activists and history. So, enjoy that.

 

Tiny Wow.

Small individual applets instead of buying large software for processing files.

https://tinywow.com/

 

Z Library

https://z-lib.org/

 

Chess vs Pete

https://www.chess.com/member/mr_van_w

 

Jan 27, 2022

In this episode Pete and Shawtima get pumped for the new teaching year and settle in for the new normal.

 

Shawtima mentioned using Tango as a tool for making instructables for team members and also violently threatens her team members. But then Shawtima dives deeply into some teacher wellbeing strategies. It’s not always the big moments and stunt work that counts. 

If we can work on the simple unsexy stuff then maybe we can have a more sustainable worklife. Also, Pete says he’s fine, just fine… too many times for it to be believable.

On a positive note, Shawtima explains some excellent tools for people with Anxiety that Pete has 100% been using since then and it totally has helped.

 

I tell you what, Libraries are rad and they should be the hub of all schools. Pete had an article but he got distracted by library activists and history. So, enjoy that.

 

Tiny Wow.

Small individual applets instead of buying large software for processing files.

https://tinywow.com/

 

Z Library

https://z-lib.org/

 

Chess vs Pete

https://www.chess.com/member/mr_van_w

 

Jan 4, 2022

… not that Pete recognises the UN in any way shape or form.

 

Shawtima talks differentiation this week. Look, differentiation is tricky in the classroom, but it’s worthwhile. There are many aspects of teaching that keep getting harder and harder, but you know what, sometimes that’s the deal. 

 

In good news, Pete’s kids have started watching Bluey and it’s magic.

 

You can join us at https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation. Your support really does help us keep the show running.

Huge shout out to our first Teachers Aide and newest Patron, Amberly. You are truly a great human.

Dec 10, 2021
In this episode we talk about the impacts of exhaustion.

 

The Culture Wars are alive and well. Schools are the battlegrounds once again. Education is a political act and again we see how the conservatives/trads are looking to push education History and Maths education into a back to basics approach. It makes Shawtima’s tummy hurt.

 

Pete learns about Temptation Bundling, this is something that he does all the time. 

 

But our jobs are always political, schools are where the next generation’s culture is started. If it looks like a fascism, smells like a fascism, walks like a fascism, it’s probably a fascism. But this has outcomes that are purely skills based and academic - regardless of the impact on the culture at large.

 

Streaming/tracking also hinders students and their education. This isn’t surprising at all, but a large collection of data is reviewed. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/06/04/california-math-class-detrack-race-equity/

 

The greatest moment of televised sports in human history. How are you human if you keep it together watching this.  FULL MATCH - Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair – Career Threatening Match: WrestleMania XXIV

 

But we end it all in a nice reflective phase where we give thanks for those that helped us become the teachers we are.

 

Also, if you know how Daylight Savings works, don’t at me, I just don’t care.

Nov 20, 2021

Here is the Cancelled podcast that led to our long ramble open https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cancelled/id1580836614  

Shawtima talks (in the most round about way possible) Habits of Mind. Like, it legitimately started that way and ended up talking about LoLs in the classroom instead. Then we get all kinds of pedagogical and talk about Newman's Error Analysis. This became something fun for me to play with since recording.

 

Pete starts digging into the positive effects of ethnic studies in schools on the lives of students who fit into various ethnic groups as well as those of the dominant culture surrounding them. Obviously, this is something that we never talk about on this podcast so get ready for some totally new ideas. Turns out though, he could have just watched Remember the Titans.

 

When we talk a bit more about class times, we start talking about some gamified, Star Trekified space unit where the kids get choices.

 

Also, let’s not forget that Nicky Winmar is a national treasure.

 

Oct 20, 2021

In this episode we dive into some listener mail with questions about privilege and then we talk about the Tortoise and Hare thinkers. This involves the systemic bias in artificial examination environments and the harm it does to all of our students. Thanks Revisionist History!

Sep 12, 2021

In this episode, we talk about the readjustment of back to home learning for Australian/NSW teachers and the value of non-essential roles in schools. Also, how great is book week!

 

But Pete has a big focus on Inquiry-Based learning and the recent articles by the Conversation and several trad articles that have a real problem on student-centered learning. Apparently, the majority of teachers rely on inquiry-based programs. This however is clearly not the case. In fact, teachers use loads of different modalities because they’re professionals.

 

The Learning from Home resources via the AISNSW

https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/learning-from-home

 

The Look of a Compass Points done digitally via Padlet.



Sep 12, 2021

In this episode, we talk about the readjustment of back to home learning for Australian/NSW teachers and the value of non-essential roles in schools. Also, how great is book week!

 

But Pete has a big focus on Inquiry-Based learning and the recent articles by the Conversation and several trad articles that have a real problem on student-centered learning. Apparently, the majority of teachers rely on inquiry-based programs. This however is clearly not the case. In fact, teachers use loads of different modalities because they’re professionals.

 

The Learning from Home resources via the AISNSW

https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/learning-from-home

 

The Look of a Compass Points done digitally via Padlet.



Aug 31, 2021

This week we discuss metaphor as a privileged types of language, Pete mansplains Sonic the Hedgehog and Shawtima talks about the Gradual Release of Responsibility model.

Transfer of knowledge and utilisation of 21st Century Skills also become part of our discussion today. Transfer of knowledge from one area to another is a learnable skill.

But most importantly, let's remember our new motto "Yeah, what Pete said"!

@ShawtimaSmiles

@Mr_van_w

and support the episode via Patreon

 

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Darmok_(episode)

 

Aug 17, 2021

In this episode we cover a wide variety of topics including Learning Styles and VARK, a way to introduce welcome to country in an academically valued way and most importantly, science where rats drive cars for education. Hell yeah.

Stay Shiny Pony Boy,

 

Aug 17, 2021

In this episode we cover a wide variety of topics including Learning Styles and VARK, a way to introduce welcome to country in an academically valued way and most importantly, science where rats drive cars for education. Hell yeah.

Stay Shiny Pony Boy,

 

Aug 4, 2021

Hi TTT Fam,

Here we have an episode that almost never made it out of the gates thanks to some dodgy recording. 

We got the sound good though!

Enjoy.

Aug 4, 2021

Hi TTT Fam,

Here we have an episode that almost never made it out of the gates thanks to some dodgy recording. 

We got the sound good though!

Enjoy.

Jun 16, 2021

Hey in this episode Pete (@mr_van_w) and Shawtima (@shawtimasmiles) talk about:

Stuff. Not gonna lie, there’s some late night energy going on here and Pete ended up spending a considerable amount of time unwell this week (hence the late ep). But here we are.

Here is Stile for our Science teacher friends: https://stileapp.com/login no add here but check it out. It’s genuinely useful. Tell them Pete and Shawtima sent you, they won’t care.

We come back to some things that we’ve been talking about and trying, to let you know how they went.

Then there are some articles. Shawti talks about this article on the Conversation

https://theconversation.com/the-proposed-new-maths-curriculum-doesnt-dumb-down-content-it-actually-demands-more-of-students-162088

Go us. Anyway, I’m going back to bed til I feel better.

Also, join Pete on Pokemon GO! His trainer number is 1783 2412 6146. For real, do it. He plays and sends gifts daily.

Support the podcast on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation, it really really helps us keep this regular.

Stay Shiny Pony Boy!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jun 6, 2021

Hey in this episode Pete (@mr_van_w) and Shawtima (@shawtimasmiles) talk about:

In this episode we share a win at school with an indigenous program at our nation’s peak STEM body, CSIRO. 

 

We delve into Mastery Learning and Education Systems, particularly around the online platform setup by Sal Khan. We also look at the

 

In another win for the Aboriginal Australians we discuss the modern usage of Aboriginal pedagogy in the classroom at Higher Education levels and High School. Also, why it’s important to value our culture … but you know, that’s obvious.

 

We also look at some listener feedback and the icky feelings data can leave. We looked at the #Edureading article that lined up so well accidentally with podcast 132

 

Podcast: People I (Mostly) Admire

Steven Levitt

 

Episode 22. Sal Khan: “If It Works for 15 Cousins, It Could Work for a Billion People.”

 

The ‘doublethink’ of data: educational performativity and the field of schooling practices by Ian Hardy and Steven Lewis

 

Support us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation 

May 31, 2021

Hey in this episode Pete (@mr_van_w) and Shawtima (@shawtimasmiles) talk about:

Thinking Routines (Headlines) and how they've adapted them to suit what they want to do in the classroom.

We talk ever so briefly about the authoritarian rise of the Flipped Teacher in an article from Times Higher Education.

We talk in more depth about the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning that is going on at Pete’s school - The Central West Leadership Academy. This is from the book Dive into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement (non-affiliate link - as if they’d pay us).

Then Shawtima gets real misogynistic, and focuses on the work of a dude while talking about a book written primarily by a female educator (Lynn D Sharratt) and other work by Michael Fullan. To be fair, Pete was mostly distracted by what he thought was Shawtima’s insane Trad ramblings of rankings but then it all came good.

Also, join Pete on Pokemon GO! His trainer number is 1783 2412 6146. For real, do it. He plays and sends gifts daily.

Support the podcast on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation, it really really helps us keep this regular.

Stay Shiny Pony Boy!

May 20, 2021

Pete (@mr_van_w) is back with the original Shiny Educator, Shawtima (@ShawtimaSmiles). 

It's time to introduce some changes, to the podcast but also not really. Mostly, it's the same nonsense you already love.

Pete and Shawti are talking about all sorts of stuff in this episode. For example, Dungeons and Dragons in schools for students who are either neurodivergent or need social skills.  We also cover Student Leadership, and getting kids good.

Also we <3 Joeldemort (@JoelBSperanza); Courtney (@ComfortDisturb) and Rich (@cambourne26

#StayshinyPonyBoy #KissthehomiesGoodnight

Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/

Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com 

Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/

Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation

Buy some merch:  https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore

Mar 22, 2021

Pete (@mr_van_w) shares how his school celebrated International Women's Day and discusses some of the considerations to running genuine activities and conversations.  

John (@jfcatto) then looks at some Biesta's functions of education and the need for having a conversations about what we value in education.

 

Good education in an age of measurement: On the need to reconnect with the question of purpose in education - Gert Biesta

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41529875_Good_Education_in_an_Age_of_Measurement_On_the_Need_to_Reconnect_with_the_Question_of_Purpose_in_Education

 

Jared Cooney Horvath - What is the purpose of Education

https://youtu.be/3BEjnXS6DXg

Tea and Consent - Blue Seat Studios

https://youtu.be/pZwvrxVavnQ 

How to Put on a Sock

https://youtu.be/06kT9yfj7QE

 

Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/

Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com 

Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/

Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation

Buy some merch:  https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore

 

Mar 8, 2021

This week Pete (@mr_van_w) shares a resource and encourages non-indigenous people to get involved in Aboriginal education and teaching Aboriginal perspectives. John (@jfcatto) then has a whine about the effects of politics on professional development opportunities. 

 

Educator Resource: 'But I am NOT ABORIGINAL I don't know how to do this stuff!' - Amy Thunig (@amythunig)

https://thebabyacademic.com/2018/09/07/but-i-am-not-aboriginal-i-dont-know-how-to-do-this-stuff/

 

Stop the political meddling: Who is really setting education policy in NSW -  Marco Cimino (@MrMCimino)

https://educationhq.com/news/stop-the-political-meddling-who-is-really-setting-education-policy-in-nsw-88829

 

 

 

Visit our website: https://www.catfish.education/

Email us feedback or suggestions: catfisheducation@gmail.com 

Read Pete's blog: https://mrvanw.com/

Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/CatfishEducation

Buy some merch:  https://www.redbubble.com/people/CatfishEd/explore

Feb 12, 2021

Hi TTT Family,

No John this week so I thought I'd reflect a little on life and my new schools for you.

Enjoy,

Pete

@mr_van_w

Feb 12, 2021

Hi TTT Family,

No John this week so I thought I'd reflect a little on life and my new schools for you.

Enjoy,

Pete

@mr_van_w

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next » 7